Welcome to our site about our son Brodie Dick who will join our family on August 8, 2011 at 8:00. At 22 weeks we went in to find out if we were having a boy or a girl and we found out that we were having a boy but that he may have a birth defect. After an agonizing week we found out that our son had CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia). CDH occurs when the diaphragm fails to fully form, allowing the abdominal organs into the chest cavity and preventing lung growth. CDH occurs in 1 of every 2500 births and a baby with CDH is born every 10 minutes. 50% of babies diagnosed with CDH do not survive. The cause is not known. This will be a journal of our journey and will allow our family and friends to keep up to date on what is happening with us and our son Brodie. Thanks for your prayers and support!


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

We are Encouraged

This morning we have been met with encouraging news as soon as we arrived at the hospital. They said that he did well overnight and that they have been weaning his oxygen on the oscillator. He is now down to 75% oxygen and his pressures are all the same. The great news is that he is tolerating the lower settings and his oxygen saturation is still in the 90's. We are encouraged but cautious since he still has a long way to go and many issues. The surgeon said he had a significant amount of fluid in his left lung and the team was going to discuss what they should do. Since he is stable they really don't want to mess with it but if it is impeding his progress then maybe they will think about doing a procedure to remove it. They are also trying to move all medication over to oral so that they can remove the arterial line. The longer the line is in the more there is an increase for infection. We just pray that he continues on this track because if he doesn't the doctor just came by and told us that they are going to have to do something riskier. The issue is that when he is on the ventilator or oscillator his body tries to fight back from all the pounding by setting up a defense that could potentially cause a huge setback. We are in a race to get his body better before his body starts to fight back. It is difficult to understand much of this but we do our best and try to let you know the best we can. We just pray that he has a good day today and that we never have to try any of the riskier procedures. Thanks for all the prayers and to all that have given blood.

6 comments:

Lindsey said...

I'm so glad to hear that Brodie is doing better. That is great news! I had plans to give blood, even though my blood type does not match Brodie's, because I heard about the credit. When I called the Blood Center they said because my blood type doesn't match that they couldn't use it and they no longer do credits. I wish I was a match for Baby Brodie. If you need anything, lunch for the day, anything, please let me know. Stay strong, Brodie! Many people are praying for you all.

Sonny and Bernadette said...

Praise God for the great news! Keep fighting Brodie!! We continue to pray for you all.

Linda LaRoque said...

So pleased you have positive news. I think you are explaining things very well. Pray Brodie will continue to improve.

Leslie Steward said...

You all needed a good day so it is great to hear that you are having one. We will continue to pray for all of you.

Letitia Ledesma said...

I'm so glad that you have made if possible for us to leave comments. I've been wanting to say something for sometime now. I have been reading the blog daily. I want to tell you that my husband and I pray every night for Brodie. I am happy to see he is having a good day. Tell Lavona we are keeping you all in our prayers at work as well.

lvnsteward said...

Knew that boy was a fighter! He has fought from day one and has taught us all out here what is important enough to be fighting for. I have a feeling he has yet to teach us even more. I love you little Brodie! Aunt Leslie will have you in my arms soon! Love to mom, dad and Bradie!