Chase Derron Vafinis Lancaster
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We couldn't have been happier to find out that we had gotten pregnant on our honeymoon in July 2003. In October we had a scare with second trimester bleeding. In November early pre-term labor put me on permanent bed rest until my due date which was 11 April 2004. In January a routine ultrasound showed that our baby boy wasn't swallowing amniotic fluid and that the perinatalogist could not see a stomach bubble and I was measuring larger than I should have for gestational age. Feb 11th, I went into the hospital to be monitored for contractions that wouldn't stop and I was finally put on Magnesium Sulphate, out shot Chase 3 hours later. 9 1/2 weeks early and 3.9 pounds. Our fears were confirmed, Tracheal Esophageal Fistula and Esophageal Atresia. Along with many other preemie problems....IVH's, RDS, GERD and a broken right forearm from being born to quickly. Chase lasted until 31 March on CPAP and nasal cannula until RSV got the better of him and a bronchoscope showed he had severe tracheamalacia. My sweet man was trached on 5 May. He has had a Fundo, G-Tube and is now on JG Tube feedings, he pulled his first JG tube out less than 10 hours after placement! We are hoping that by the end of May he can be off of TPN. I know soon my little man will come home and I can't wait. Last night (25 May) I changed his trach for the first time on my own and I feel pretty confident that all will be well in about a month with the feedings. He is so hungry, when I kiss him on the lips he sucks my lips!!
Update, June 2004: Still in the hospital. It seems like this will never end!! We were given a date of 21 June to go home and we were so ecstatic!! Then Chase started having residuals from his feedings and his electrolytes were down. Pyloric stenosis and his Fundoplication had slipped were what the doctors told us. Well we are still the dreaded "NPO" but hopefully tomorrow they will put another GJ-tube in or a duodenal tube. His weight has slipped down to 8 lbs 13 oz's and he is still so hungry and sucks on anything close to his mouth.
24 June he was taken down for a barium study and I brought my nine year old to walk down with us, seeing my two boys together made me want to cry, but mommy has to be tough for her sons. What really got me was seeing my mother break down in tears when she got to hold Chase for the first time (when he was 4 months old). I have gotten so sick of dealing with the NICU. It's not the people, it's the rules and regulations (this coming from a career military gal!!) The asking if we can see our son. The leaving him there at night instead of bringing him home with us. I know that this will end and all will be well but I can't see the big picture yet, I just see my baby boy lying there hungry, alone and so innocent to all that is going on around and to him.
Update - Photos added October 2004:
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