Brianna Gives Hope: Hit By a Bus

Monday, September 3, 2007

Hit By a Bus

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2007 05:16 PM, EDT
I don't even know how to start the journaling today except to say that it has been the kind of day that makes both Jerry and I feel as if we have been hit by a bus. Brianna has been doing so incredibly well. So well, in fact that the doctors told us yesterday, she could go home today, if she would start drinking orally from a bottle. Jerry and I felt pretty confident that would happen. It didn't. Actually, Brianna had such a hard time with the bottle, choking, that we were advised not to try again today. The reality with trisomy 18 babies is that they normally do not ever drink from a bottle. They cannot coordinate swallowing and breathing. For Brianna to ever have been drinking from a bottle was another one of those miracles. Now, there are only two options left. 1) feed her through a tube that goes in her nose to her stomach or 2) feed her through a tube that goes through her stomach. Both have pros and cons. We will be meeting with a specialist in the morning to determine the outcome.

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Definition of Trisomy 18

Edwards Syndrome : Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18) is a chromosomal abnormality where there is an extra chromosome present in every cell of the body. This is an example of where “the more the merrier” is not true. This extra chromosome means that every cell has extra information encoded into it. The extra information causes confusion in the way that the cells are formed and results in the potential malformation of all of the body systems. Sadly, this condition is considered "not compatible with life". Just like with Down's Syndrome (Trisomy 21), there is a wide range of how this condition will play out (what the doctor's will refer to as your child's phenotype). Unfortunately because there is more information encoded on the 18th chromosome, the severity of this condition is greater than that of Down's Syndrome. Current studies show that while 1:1500 children will be diagnosed prenatally with trisomy 18, only half that number (or 1:3000) will be born alive at full term. Of those who survive to birth, only half will make it to two months of age, and only 10% will survive to their first birthday. Children who live can be an important part of their family and community, but are profoundly developmentally delayed.

But oh, how we love these special little babies. When Brianna was born we were told she would probably leave this earth within 24 hours...but look at her now. 24 months old, healthy, adorable and amazing. God has been so good. Brenda

Bri's Medical Condition

Brianna was full-term born on April 12, 2007, weighing 5 lb 18 oz and 18" long. Her Apgar scores at birth were 8 and 9. Approximately 15 hours after her birth we were advised of the tentative Trisomy 18 diagnosis.

Immediate health issues had to do with her heart: Mainly, a VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect); PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) ; and a PFO.

Open Heart Surgery at 4 months and

G-tube placement before we came home.

Eye surgery in Spring of '08 to correct cross-eyes.

Tubes placed in ears in Fall of '08 hoping to quash the numerous ear infections.

Scan of abdominal section in Dec. '08. Everthing appears normal.

Brianna takes formula by g-tube but eats baby food by mouth. She can hear, see, is rolling over, sitting up, trying to crawl, playing with toys, says "da da"; "do it, do it, do it" and various other sounds. She is the happiest child we have ever known.

We are so very blessed.

Brianna Gives Hope

Monday, September 3, 2007

Hit By a Bus

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Our Family, Nov 2007

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