Brianna Gives Hope: Chicago, Here we Come!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Chicago, Here we Come!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 04, 2008 09:00 PM, EST

At last posting we were headed to Chicago for our first family trip out of town

and Bri was such a trooper. Check out this airport picture...

At the time we were concerned about her ears hurting (more on that later) and her screaming in the airplane, people complaining, blah, blah, blah and heck if she didn't come out smelling like a rose. In true Brianna form, once we hit Chicago, that child didn't sleep except at night when all of us went to sleep. She has never been one to miss a thing. All day long, awake and happy. Just amazing. To make a long story short, all of us had a fantastic time. Ashley and Bri had a 'sleepover'...what an excellent babysitter, yeah?

while Jerry and I attended the wedding reception. The worse of the trip was all of the stuff we had to pack and take....but well worth the memories.

Here's Jerry and his great friend Sal and another picture of Ashley. I love these pictures.

1 comment:

Alicia W.April 7, 2009 at 12:12 AM
I ran across your blog tonight from the homemade doll website. My daughter is named Breanna as well. Your family is beautiful and I look forward to reading more about your sweet little girl.
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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

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Chicago, Here we Come!

1 comment:

Our Family, Nov 2007

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