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!


Sunday, November 13, 2011

Goodbye to The Lines

Words can't describe how wonderful Brodie is doing these days.  Today at 11 am he came off of the flolan completely and at around 8 tonight they finally took out his last picc line.  He no longer has any lines going into him and all he has is the trach attached to the ventilator.  Not only did he not have any issues getting off the flolan but they were also able to wean his oxygen down to 26% during the process.  A couple of nights ago he was actually down to 21% oxygen.  When doctors and nurses come by to check up on him they are simply amazed at his progress.  There is not one person in that building that thought that he would be even close to where he is by now.  The next step for us is to start getting things ready to come home.  We have to learn how to do everything with the trach, take a CPR class, learn the vent, get home healthcare set up and some other minor details.  To put it simply, we have to prove to them that we can take care of him on our own.  This will probably take 3-4 weeks and maybe longer but at least we are talking about going home.  Brodie also needs to start learning to eat.  This is very difficult for CDH kids but hopefully he can do it or he will have to have a tube put in his stomach.  Thank you so much for each and every prayer over the last 3 months.  I hope each of you know that you have a part in Brodie being here and we are forever thankful to you.  If you are reading this and don't believe in the power of prayer or that God can and will work miracles then I challenge you to visit Brodie and see what God has done.  He truly is a miracle and we are thankful for each minute that we get to spend with him.  We have been through so much but we wouldn't change it for the world.  We will take what we have learned with us forever and hope that you will too.  Thanks again!

6 comments:

Fran said...

I wish you could see the peace that has come over my face as I read your post--3 months to pray for someone is like...well, a part of you--you all have become part of me--I remember when Diane asked for prayer for Brodie, he was still in the womb--and you knew then that the journey would be difficult and G-d would sustain you. I am thankful for your testimony of relying on the LORD and He will equip you for this leg of the journey as well--I told the Ladies Sunday School about Brodie's progress--we are praying for Bradie, too. Life will be different for him at home with a new baby brother--we are praying for your family--and when you are settled I would love to come see Brodie and let his fist clutch my finger, just like babies do, and give thanks to G-d for His amazing grace. Praying for Brodie to eat!
Praying you and LaVona learn all you need to know to bring that son of yours home! 2 Corinthians 9:8
G-d is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Taking care of your family--very good work!
xxoo Fran

Diane said...

WOW! What a way to start a Monday by reading this post. "TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!" God has brought your family to an awesome point, planning to take Brodie home and having your family in one place. Bradie and Brodie are truly blessed to have you and LaVona for parents. Your faith in God is inspiring and yes all who have followed this blog has seen the miracles God has performed in Brodie. Praying for an uneventful transition to bringing you son home.

Jamie said...

Simply AMAZING!

What a great way to start the week! Love the new pics and so excited your new goal now is checking things off your list for bringing him home! How awesome is that! :-)

Continued prayers,
Jamie

Lindsey said...

Unbelievable!!!!! I was just talking about Brodie to my mother-in-law who also keeps up with Brodie and we described him just as you said, a miracle! I'm so excited for Brodie an he has come so far! God has heard all of our prayers. Words can't describe how happy I am that you will be able to bring home your baby boy! What an amazing story. I am so happy for you and continue to keep you all in my prayers. I'm so happy for you!!!!!

Suzan said...

GOD IS GOOD

Brandi said...

GOD IS GOOD!! I am sooo happy for y'all! Brodie looks amazing! So glad the trach surgery went well. It is amazing what a trach (and G-tube, if necessary) will do to move you in the direction of going home. You and LaVona have been amazing through this whole process and I know you will be just as amazing at home with Brodie! Continue to send the updates...it is the highlight of my day! :) Congratulations on Brodie's amazingness and God bless!!