Ava~ Hope for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.: July 2008

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Fun at the Fair!

Quack! Quack!

Kiss anyone?

Goats and Girls!

Here is the Piggies lovin' all the attention they can get. (Kinda like Miss Ava!)

We sure had a great time at the fair last night. Ava loved all the animals. Lexis and Emeline loved that they could pet all the animals. I still wouldn't let Ava touch them. See the unexpected kiss from the goat? She kept touching her lips saying, "aakkkie" and "eeewww" very cute to say the least! It was a fun evening!

One more month and Ava will be two. It just doesn't seem right. I was looking at pictures of her birthday party last year. Wow how she has grown. It is amazing to think where she was just two short years ago. (Still safely inside Mommy!) The struggle she indured, but all well worth it! I am counting my blessing today. Three gorgeous girls!

~Terri

Monday, July 21, 2008

Pictures worth a thousand words.

How old are you Ava?

The kids having fun in our pool.

Ava in HER pool!

She is so proud of her drawing. (Mommy is too!)

In the arms of Good Ol' Grandpa.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Wonderful Vacation

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

As you can see from the video we had am amazing vacation in Philadelphia. We stayed with friends we met at the Ronald McDonald House two years ago. George, Stacie and Addie made us feel right at home. We did many things. The main reason we went was to get Ava's CDH follow up appointment at CHOP. They told us she is doing wonderful. They would like to see her gain a little more weight but that will come. It was very emotional seeing all our old friends and nurses. Somedays it feels like just yesterday we were there fighting for Ava's life. We really have been through so much yet we have come through so strong. God is so good! We had a lot of fun at Dorney Park and the Hershey Chocolate Factory. Oh who can forget the Columbus Zoo. We love animals!

I have to give a shout out and thank you to all the wonderful friends we saw. Hello George, Stacie, Addie, Marina, Alycen, Dave, Joey, Emily, Kelli, Mike, Chad, Jenn, Travis, Lexi, Taryn, Denise, Daisy, Deanna, Michelle, Dr. Adzick, and Dr. Hendrix. We love and we already miss you guys!

~Terri

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A Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Hello and Welcome Ava's Blog.

My goal to is educate and bring valuable information to the people that need it the most. If your baby has been recently diagnosed with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia or you know someone who has gotten the devastating news, please know you are not alone. Yes this is a very serious, life threatning birth defect yet there are those that do survive... Please let Ava give you Hope.

If your baby was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and has recently reherniated (the diaphragm needs repaired) I have experience with this as well. Stay strong as this too is a very tough fight.

Ava's journey has been quite the ride. My Hope is that you find comfort knowing that not only do CDH babies survive but they can also thrive even after all the obstacles their bodies are put through.

"Carry Hope with you ALWAYS!"

~ Terri L. Helmick

What is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia? (CDH)

A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect in which there is an abnormal opening in the diaphragm, the muscle that helps you breathe. The opening allows part of the organs from the belly (stomach, spleen, liver, and intestines) to go up into the chest cavity near the lungs. Also forcing the heart to move.

A diaphragmatic hernia is caused by the improper joining of structures during fetal development. As a result, the abdominal organs such as the stomach, small intestine, spleen, part of the liver, and the kidney appear in the chest cavity. The lung tissue on the affected side is thus not allowed to completely develop.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is seen in 1 out of every 2,500 live births.

Ava's Fetal MRI Results (May 2006)

Fetus is 23 weeks, 6 days and an estimate weight of 638 grams. Amniotic fluid is 21.2 which is in upper range of normal. Fetus has Left Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia containing the stomach, intestines, and a relatively large portion of the left lobe of the fetal liver. Heart is moved to the right. The calculated lung to head ratio is 1.3-1.4 after multiple measurements of the right lung. The best measurement of the right lung is 1.6 x 1.7 x 3.9 cm, with a volume of 5.5 cc. A small portion of the left lung is identified within the left apex and measures 1.9 x 1.4 x 0.8 cm with a volume of 1.1 cc. There is no other fetal anatomic abnormalities.

"My CDH Journey"

I've been told I'm a brave little girl. God has blessed me and my family beyond measure. My Mommy feels lucky that I'm still here with them. I hear I have touched so many lives.

This is my story. I am told I am a Miracle. I am!

(My mommy loved this song as a child. She told me it fits my story.)

"I'm something Special I'm the only one of my kind God gave me a body and a bright healthy mind. He has a special purpose that he wants me to find so he made me something special I'm the only one of my kind."

I would be honored if you read my whole story. You can find it at http://www.carepages.com/ avahelmick. Hold on because it is filled with ups and downs. Mom and Dad says it was quite the roller coaster. I not only survived CDH once, but twice. Thanks to all who read my story. God Bless.

~Ava Elizabeth

Welcome to Our Life with CDH.

Our daughter Ava was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. CDH is when (inside of the womb) the diaphragm does not form properly. The abdominal organs move up into the chest cavity, compromising the heart and lungs. Fifty percent of CDH babies die. Sometimes with proper diagnosis and treatment, the babies have a better chance at birth.

We held our First Annual, "Ava's Awareness Walk" on March 27, 2008. I was so touched at how many family and friends came out to walk for CDH Awareness. I held back tears as I spoke about Ava's friends that have died fighting this birth defect. I played the song, "Little Angels" that Tamra (my sister) and I created for all the CDH babies. After walking around the beautiful lake we had a balloon release. I did it to remember all the precious angels that had been taken, far too soon, from their Mothers arms. They will forever be in our hearts.

My goal is to educate and provide valuable knowledge and information about Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. I want to let as many know of this deadly birth defect as possible and to share HOPE.

Miracles DO Happen!

Faith and Trust in God.

I was comforted many times by Bible verses.

"In ALL thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." -Proverbs 3:6

"We can do all things through Christ." -Philippians 4:13

"All things work together for the Glory of God."
-Romans 8:28

"Unto thee oh Lord do I lift up my soul." -Psalms 25:1

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

"I truly believe we are handed things in life to make us become better and stronger people. I have learned more about life from little Ava than I have in all my years. I adore all my girls but I will always thank God and Sweet Ava for making me appreciate life to it's fullest!" -Terri Helmick