Brianna Gives Hope: Not so Good News

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Not so Good News

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2008 10:18 AM, EDT
I tell you what. It takes me forever to update Brianna's website and after giving such wonderful news, it's time to update it again with not so good news.
In the previous posting, I mentioned that Brianna had some congestion, well, she was admitted to Florida Hospital last Monday to get it taken care of. Wish it was that easy. Here it is Thursday, and we are still here. Thank goodness though that it is not pneumonia. Right now the doctors are saying it is a bronchial virus and she is being treated with breathing treatments. Plus she is on oxygen because the virus is making it hard for her to get enough oxygen in her blood. We could do the breathing treatments at home but taking the oxygen home apparently is a big deal and they would rather we wait out the virus at the hospital. There is a possibility that it is not a virus at all but could have been caused by chronic aspiration. They will be running some tests to determine if that is the case after she recovers from this bronchial inflammation.
I will keep you posted.

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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, June 26, 2008

Not so Good News

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Our Family, Nov 2007

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