Ava~ Hope for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.: She's extubated!

Monday, October 27, 2008

She's extubated!

Hoorah she is doing great so far. Keep the prayers coming. Her labs just came back good , so we are off to a wonderful start! I'll post pictures in a little while. I'm going to hold my baby now. I have tears in my eyes just typing this. I haven't held her for over two weeks.

Here is the video of her being extubated.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Thanks again for your love!

~Terri

9 comments:

My Three Sons said...: I'm so excited for you! Keep it up Ava. You are making all of us so proud!

I will keep praying.; October 27, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Anonymous said...: WONDERFUL NEWS. God kept her safe and warm in his arms (not to mention grandma's blankets). Now its your turn Terri. Keep her safe and warm in your arms. She is such a strong little girl and has amazing strength.

her pink fingernails are just fabulous, especially while she is putting on her lipstick. Oh, what fun she'll be when she is a teenager.

God Bless all the CDH babies.
You are in my prayers.; October 27, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Amber said...: This is wonderful news! I happy so happy for you and Ava! I can't wait to see pictures. No hurry though take your time and enjoy snuggling with your precious Ava.

Amber; October 27, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Liz and Shane said...: YAY! we are so happy. I am in tears for you. Give Ava lots of kisses for us. Way to go AVA!!!!!; October 27, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Anonymous said...: How wonderful! I am so glad things are going so good this morning. She's got a lot of hugs to catch up on, not to mention kisses.
Still sending my well wishing prayers your way from KS.
Janet; October 27, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Oh Thank goodness! There is no better therapy than snuggling and loving on each other! She needs it as much as you do! Enjoy! God Bless you all and my heart is so happy that things are going so well! Watching and Praying in California, Leslie; October 27, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Anonymous said...: GREAT NEWS!!!

We will continue to keep her in our prayers!; October 27, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Darcy said...: Terri,
What fantastic news! I will keep praying she does well off the ventilator. I know she will because she will be so relaxed in mommy and daddy's arms!
darcy
http://ittybittyblog.wordpress.com/; October 27, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Jen said...: Great news! I'm so happy you're getting to finally hold Ava again, and I'm sure she is too.

Jen Miller; October 27, 2008 at 11:07 PM

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

Hope for CDH.

Monday, October 27, 2008

She's extubated!

9 comments: