Alexia Lynn Sanchez
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10 months old
This is Alexia Lynn Sanchez. She was born on August 9th, 2003, in Del Rio, TX. Born premature at 37 weeks, and weighing 4 pounds, and 12 ounces. I was 18 at the time. All through my pregnancy, I did not have any complications. My doctor told me, he did not see any thing wrong with my daughter. I started getting contractions at 37 weeks, and my doctor said, he did not have a problem with my daughter being born early. So, I was so excited, she was going to be my first born. I was in labor for 12 hours. At 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 9th, my daughter was born. My family and I were so very happy, until we noticed that my daughter wasn't crying, and turning blue purple. I was panicking, and crying. I saw all these nurses, and doctors around my child, trying to help her, that I did not think that she was going to make it. The nurses quickly took her away, and put her on a breathing tube. Every thing happened so fast that I wasn't able to hold my daughter for the first time. It was 45 minutes since she was born, when the nurse came in with the air flight paramedics. They explained to me that my daughter was in critical condition, and that here in Del Rio, there wasn't the facilities they needed for my daughter, and that she will have to be air lifted to San Antonio, TX. San Antonio is about 3 hours away. The following day I was out of the hospital, I really did not care in what situation I was in. I wanted to go up there and see what was wrong with my child, so my family and I traveled to San Antonio. Once we got to the Methodist Children's Hospital, I got to see my daughter. I was so shocked how I saw her connected to all this equipment. It made me burst out in tears.
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3 days old
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2 weeks old
A few weeks later, and tests after tests, the neonatologist then realized what was wrong with my child. He told me, "she has paralyzed vocal cords. That's the reason she could not cry, and breathe. She also has hydrocephalus. It's not severe, and she will not be needing a shunt. At birth, my daughter would make this weird sound, like a little cry. Which is called "stridor". Because of her vocal cords, and air way being narrow, the doctor then told me the only option your daughter has to live, is to put in a trach. She was 3 weeks old when she got her trach. I was so nervous about my daughter having that trach. I was 18 at the time, and I thought having a baby is easy, and I never thought that my daughter would ever have medical problems. As soon as my daughter was born, it's like life hit me in the face. since then, I have matured so quickly. Since I was young and all, the social worker asked me if I'm sure that I can take care of my daughter? She also explained to me that some young mothers like me end up giving up their child, because they do not want that responsibility. I told her no matter how my daughter is or how she looks like that, I'm not going to give up my child. I will be there for her 100%. From then on, I went through so much training, and classes to learn how to take care of my child.
It was 2 months since Alexia had her trach. She was ready to come home, but before she could come home, the nurses wanted to see if she will be able to eat correctly. After a few times in trying to bottle feed her, we noticed she aspirates, and because of that she will need a g-tube. She was 2 month and in half when she got her g-tube. Finally, it was time for Alexia to come home, after being in the NICU for 3 months. She came home with a apnea monitor, suction machine, humidifier, oximeter, feeding pump, and oxygen. At that time she did not know how to bottle feed at all. Now she's 20 months old. She's a happy, energetic little girl. She eats every thing by mouth, and soon her g-tube will be taken out. she has learned to communicate by sign language, or pointing to what she wants. She still can't make any noise, but hopefully soon she will be going under surgery for her vocal cords. So I will keep ya'll up dated!
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20 months
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Family Photo
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Update July 2005: Alexia has now began to make noise, and say "mama", and "grandma". We were really surprised to hear her. Her E.N.T had told us, he could not tell us she was going to be able to speak. Only time can tell. He also told us, that maybe she wasn't going to be able to talk due to her bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Thank GOD, she has started to talk on her own. We are so proud, and very happy for her! She is also going to be a big sister this coming week. I'm getting induced on the 9th of Aug, and having another girl. What's also very exciting is that this baby will be born on Alexia's birthday as well, on the 9th. So we are very excited, for the new bundle of joy, and especially for Alexia. I am a little nervous about this new baby coming. I do not want the story to repeat it's self again. But no matter what I will except whatever GOD has in store for me......
Update August 2005: My delivery went great! I had a healthy baby girl. Her name is Amaris Lee. She was born on the same day as Alexia. Weighing 6lbs, 4 oz. I was so worried at first, but when she came out crying, I felt so much joy, and was thanking GOD she came out healthy.......Alexia is excited of having a little sister. At first she would just stare at her, and when she would start to cry, Alexia would start to cry too. Lately, Alexia has been getting a little jealous, and I guess feeling left out. Every time I'm occupied with my newborn, she wants my attention. She either wants me to carry her, or play with her. I try to explain to her I'm busy, and I will be with her in a minute. She leaves, and goes to her room. After I'm done with my baby, I go see what Alexia needed. But she pushes me away, and don't want me to touch her. I'm trying hard to pay attention to them equally. It's pretty hard, but I'm doing my best.....
Update March 2006
She has learned to cover her trach with either her chin, or finger and has started to communicate with me in that way. She says different kinds of words. I'm very, very happy to hear her speak. Sometimes, I even have to tell her to quite down, where she gets so loud. Ha, Ha. I really have faith she will be able to talk. she is a very active little girl, and gets into everything, just like a normal healthy child. Majority of people don't even notice her trach, until I tell them about it...
Hopefully, we will be going to Cincinnati, Ohio to meet up with Dr. Cotton
and he will evaluate her, and perform some exams and see in what way, or type of
surgery he can do to help out Alexia. We are very excited for her! We can not
wait to go up there, and see what's in store for her. I will keep you all
up-dated in what happened....
Also, the other GREAT news is that she past her swallow study! Hooray for
Alexia!!! She does fine eating solids, and drinking fluids. The only bad news is
that, her doctor will not take out the g-tube until she gains more weight. She
is kinda small, and petite, comparing her to normal healthy kids. My husband,
and I really think she is just like that. She does eat, but her doctor wants us
to supplement her with Pediasure after each meal by g-tube, because she doesn't
like drinking it by mouth, so I have to give it to her by g-tube. Until she gets
all the calories she needs, then they will make the decision in taking it out.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to get her to eat high calorie food, and give her as much
Pediasure as I can, for we could get that g-tube out! So, we are getting closer,
and closer each time in removing it. We really think in no time she will get it
removed...
Alexia also really enjoys playing with her little sister, Amaris. My husband,
and I really think having her little sister really opened Alexia up in trying to
communicate with her, and at the same time being like good therapy to her...
We are very PROUD of Alexia! We will keep you all up-dated...
- Email: virginiamartinez65@yahoo.com
