Peyton Matthew Mink
 |
Peyton Matthew Mink Born by emergency C-Section 6 weeks early on Sunday, April 27th, 1997 at 4 lb. 7 oz., 16 ½ inches at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia.
During an apparently normal pregnancy, Peyton's mom, Kelly, suddenly began suffering pelvic/abdominal pain and was rushed to the hospital. Fetal heart rate monitors noted decelerations in Peyton's heart rate and the emergency C-Section was done. Apgar scores were 2 and 8. It became immediately evident that he had problems due to his hypotonic condition. After a battery of tests and biopsies, Peyton's many doctors agreed on the diagnosis of hypoxic/ischemic encephalopathy. Essentially, this is a lack of oxygen to the brain for a period of time. The CT scan indicated that the unknown period of oxygen deprivation happened sometime significantly before the delivery.
MRI's of his brain indicate a small area around the thalamus was affected. This is the area that controls many bodily motor functions. All other areas appear normal. The neurologists feel he may be able to compensate over time with other areas of his brain to take over these functions. However, the effects of the injury cause several conditions that require special care. He's had feeding, reflux, high secretion levels and resultant aspiration problems from birth. He came home from the hospital on oxygen and naso-gastric tube feedings six weeks after birth but had an episode of apnea related to aspiration and had to be admitted to Scottish Rite Children's Medical Center. He then received surgery on 6/26/97 (his weight then at ± 7 lbs.) to correct his reflux by having a stomach fundoplication as well as both Gastronomy and Jejuenal tubes placed in his tummy to feed him. He then returned home and did exceptionally well and only required intermittent oxygen support. Then for unknown reasons, he began to develop an unstable airway, which led to his receiving a trach on 8/22/97. Since his tracheostomy, he has really taken off and thrived. Peyton is now 9-1/2 months old, weighs 19 lbs. 6 oz. and is 27" long.
However, he still has lots and lots of secretions, requiring suctioning on average every 5-10 minutes and resulting in the need to have someone at his side 24 hours a day. He receives doctor ordered twice weekly OT & PT therapies and once weekly ST therapies from specialists and has private duty nursing 16 hours a day. Peyton has shown some significant improvement with his spastic quadriplegia, gaining some limited control of his extremities. However he still has a long, long way to go. We are praying that with continued growth and therapies, he will eventually overcome most of his problems with his very rough start in life.
We would be interested in hearing from anyone who has or had children in similar situations to share experiences. We are also becoming active in the group "Family Voices", who work to try to improve the way and the amount of care that governments will provide for special needs individuals.
- Visit the Minks
- Email Mark Mink
