Brianna Gives Hope: I don't know

Saturday, May 23, 2009

I don't know

I don't know if the new video (on our YouTube channel) is playing on computers other than a Mac. If it is, someone please let me know because if it is not, then I need to figure it out.

Anyway, alot has happened the last couple of weeks. We were invited to attend the Down Syndrome Support Group and all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you to the moms there who made us feel so welcome. Finally, a place where we fit in. Brianna was beside herself when sitting on the floor with the other children. She was clapping her hands, shaking her head in happiness and kept giving me the look of "it's about time you found me some friends!!". Anyway, a big thank you to the DS group for bringing us into their group.

We also finally made it up to North Florida to visit my family and have Brianna's 2nd birthday party. Ashley also turned 17 (yikes!) while we were up there and we celebrated her birthday by spending the day at the beach with my sister Sonya....I felt like it was my birthday too!!!

Here are some pics of Brianna before the trip, playing in her tub pool outside. She loves the water.

1 comment:

Yin MayMay 23, 2009 at 10:04 PM
She looks so happy in the water! that's a really sweet swim suit. I just love her big 2 front teeth! Thank you for the close up pictures.
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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

Saturday, May 23, 2009

I don't know

1 comment:

Our Family, Nov 2007

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