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!


Monday, September 19, 2011

Echo Slightly Better but Nit Good Enough

We just got through talking to our doctor and the pulmonary team. His echo looked better but just a little bit better. It was not enough for them to feel comfortable with staying the course. They have made the decision to add flolan to his abundance of meds. Although this medication could help it is not a medication that we wanted him on. It has to have a dedicated arterial line and must go continuously into his body. If a line or pump stops working they have 3-6 minutes to get it changed out or it will cause big problems. When he goes home he will have it as well and will have to carry a pump in a backpack attched to an arterial line. That is not the ideal scenario but as long as he is home we will deal with whatever we need to. They are also starting him on antibiotics because there was a haze on his right lung in the X-ray. When we were talking to the pulmonary team they said that they hope the flolan works but the blood vessels to the lungs may just not have formed well enough or there may not be enough of them. This news really hit the heart. We knew exactly what they were saying to us and it was difficult to hear. He is a fighter and has so many people on his side. Let's just pray that the flolan works. Also, while he is on flolan they have to keep a close eye on his blood pressure and heart rate. Brodie obviously feels that we aren't stressed enough so he is keeping us on our toes. Please pray for Brodie. He needs it now more than ever. With all that said he has had a fairly stable day. He has been on high oxygen but is still doing ok. Have a great rest of the day and THANKS!!!!

3 comments:

Lindsey said...

I'm sorry to hear of this news. I'm sure this weighs heavy on your heart. I said many prayers for Brodie last night and will continue to do so. Allow God to take away your worries and fears. Thinking of you always. Keep fighting, Brodie.

Suzan Kimball said...

continuously praying for Brodie & your family...hang tough

Fran said...

Todd, continuing to bring Brodie before the LORD--at our senior ministry tomorrow we will pray collectively for Brodie, you and LaVona. Continuing to believe in the G-d of miracles.We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20 Fran xxoo