Chelle
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Posts posted by Chelle
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HUGE congrats to Jaime & Family.
Welcome to the world Lil Fella.
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Thank y'all for reading all of that!
And thanks so much for the nice comments. -
Wow. So many feelings and memories came flooding back. The diagnosis of the baby on the show was CCAM (Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of the lung) or a possibility of BPS (Bronchopulmonary Sequestration.) When I was carrying my youngest son, he was diagnosed as having both of these, along with another condition involving his heart and lung. During my pregnancy, I was also prepared for... and feared the possibilty of in-utero surgery. After seeing the show, I decided to dig up something I wrote about our experience. I know it's lengthy, but I thought I'd share it with anyone who may want to read it. So many more memories as I read it myself... reminding me how precious life truly is.
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Oct. '99 - I was about 4 months pregnant with Noah, when Mark and I went to the Doc for the ultrasound... a day I had been looking forward to since I found out I was pregnant. We were so excited about finding out the sex of our baby. During the ultrasound we noticed the look on the Nurse's face... very tense, sad and perplexed. We asked what was wrong. She told us that there was a major problem, as tears welled up in her eyes. She said our baby boy's heart was being pressed up against the right (wrong) side of his chest by what appeared to be a huge tumor of some sort on the left lung. All the other Doc's in the practice came to take a look, but none of them had ever seen anything like it and had no explanations. They said his outlook was grim and insinuated that we should abort, and we left. Mark and I had met up at the Doc's office that day, since he had been working. I remember crying hysterically the whole way home (45 min. which seemed like hours), so hard that I could barely even see to drive. My family, who all live 600 miles away, were all expecting a call with the news of the baby's sex. I called my Dad first, I had tried to pull myself together before calling, but as soon as he answered, I broke down again and couldn't even get the words out for the first few minutes. I called my Mom next and had her and my Dad make the rest of the calls to the family there.
The Docs mentioned a neonatal specialist, who we saw the following day. They had only seen a few similar cases, but none like ours. They ran a bunch of tests, did more ultrasounds, amniocentesis, etc. They gave us the name of the condition that was most likely the problem, but weren't real sure about it (CCAM - Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation). When I got home, I immediately got on the puter to see what I could find. I ran across a website for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and found out about Dr. Adzick, one of the Doctors who pioneered the surgery for these types of conditions and specializes in thoracic surgery. All of the publications and documentation of this and similar conditions, had his name on it. They are also one of only two hospitals in the world that do in-utero surgery. After researching Dr. Adzick, I felt I had found the person that would be the key to my son's survival. I gave the Center a call & told them the details I knew. They wanted to see us right away, so they immediately made flight reservations for the following morning and even paid for it.
When we arrived they started testing right away, so many ultrasounds, 3-D imaging, MRI's... I was in such a fog, that's all I really remember about the testing. Later, we got to meet with Dr. Adzick. The first moment I looked into that man's eyes, I knew that he was the answer to our prayers. He went over the results with us, confirming CCAM, but also noted another lung condition along with it, which made this a one-of-a-kind case. He told us he would stay in constant touch with the specialist in Atlanta, that I would need ultrasounds and other tests 3 times a week for the remainder of my pregnancy and that the specialist in Atlanta would send every test result up to him to be examined. He also prepared us for the possibility of in-utero surgery, if certain complications arose. He told us that we would most likely be able to have the baby in Atlanta, if things didn't get too out of hand. He told us that if we were to have him in Atlanta and if complications arose, that Noah would be life flighted to Philly.
Throughout the following months I got oodles of ultrasounds, measurements, heart monitors, etc. There were only a few problems here and there, most of which remedied themselves rather quickly.
In March, during one of the ultrasounds, they discovered that the pressure on his heart had grown and that there was fluid building up around it and told me I needed to get to the hospital. They kept us there for 3 days, induced labor for 14 hours each of those days, during which I had painful contractions, but still had no sign of Noah wanting to come out yet. After the third day, the fluid around his heart had disappeared, so they sent me home. Finally, two weeks later, he was ready. Earlier that day I had been to the Docs and they wanted to induce again or schedule a c-section, but I refused and told them that I would be going into labor on my own that day. I was right. After over 24 hours of labor, he was born. Everyone (Me, Mark, Family, Docs, Nurses) had prepared for the worst, they were ready to sweep him off to NICU, but... he came out breathing on his own! The Docs couldn't believe that he had such a serious condition and he showed no signs of it! During his first few weeks, the only apparent problem was jaundice. They pricked his poor heal about 10 times over the course of two weeks and he had to lay in one of those stupid light beds. I hated that so much because I couldn't bring myself to make him sleep in that thing all day, between feedings and diaperings.
When he was three weeks old, we flew up to Philly. They spent a day doing more tests and prepared us for his surgery. The following day we sat and waited, I hugged Noah tight the whole time. When they came to get him, my heart sunk and I had a really hard time letting go. I don't remember how long the surgery took, probably a few hours, but I cried the entire time. When we saw Dr. Adzick come into the waiting room, he had a small smile on his face and a big smile in his eyes. He told us that everything went well. Dr. Adzick had performed surgery to remove the tumor (which turned out to be non-cancerous!), leaving only a fourth of his left lung. The entire lower lobe and half of the upper lobe of his left lung were removed. He told us that there was yet a third condition involving his lung and heart, which made the surgery more difficult. This was something about the growth had it's own blood supply coming straight from his heart. At this point, I was just happy to know that Noah made it through the surgery okay. I remember going into the NICU and seeing my sweet baby for the first time after his surgery. All I wanted to do was to pick him up and hold him in my arms. Of course, I couldn't. He had breathing tubes, a chest tube, IVs and all sorts of stuff hooked to him. I felt so sorry for him, but at the same time, I knew he was going to be okay and that this whole experience, even not consciously remembered by him, would in some way make him stronger. He recovered so quickly, it was amazing. He had the surgery on Friday, he was out of the hospital on Monday and we flew home on Tuesday.
Noah is 7 now. The only sign that there was ever a problem are the scars left from the surgery. He runs and plays as if he has two full lungs and has never had any problems keeping up with other kids. He's a straight A student in first grade. He is fascinated with extreme sports and had begged for his first dirtbike since he was two, which he finally got when he turned 5. He's the most level headed child I have EVER met. He is SO special, and I'm not just saying this because he's mine or because of his experience. There's something magical about him and even strangers are drawn to him.
I learned so much through his ordeal, about myself, about Mark and about life. It brought me and Mark closer (even though I didn't think it was possible to get any closer.) It taught me to truly appreciate my 3 beautiful children. It also brought me closer to God.
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My step-grandmother had a pup like that, his name was Rusty.
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I made this one not too long ago. Since then I've changed out some of my programs and haven't had time to make a new desktop to reflect my current icons. Right now my wallpaper is of a log my husband chainsawed a message to me in... and I'm not sharin'.
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That's awesome! You're doing a great job and you should be so proud! Congratulations!
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Thank you, GeorgiaGirl.
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I missed it. Who were the bottom 3 and who went home?
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I also want to say to Buddy, I hope your pup gets better soon.
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WELL, I FINALLY CALLED NEW GEORGIA ANIMAL HOSPITAL,,THEY AGREED TO TREAT HIM BUT, I HAVE TO PAY THE BILL IN FULL BEFORE ,THEY WILL LET ME BRING HIM HOME,,,,,AS, OF RIGHT NOW, THE BILL IS AROUND 300.00,, ,,And then after the vet sees your dog what else can they do but payment plans or predated checks? What will they do, hold your dog hostage and charge you per day? that raises the bill too.
That's what I was thinking, jmd.
Sounds less like "caring" and more like the vet is seeing $$$ signs.
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Burnett's lime vodka with Sierra Mist and a splash of Sunny D.
Occasionally I add a splash of cranberry juice.
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I still have my dress. I only paid $20 for it at a JC Penney Outlet, so even if I would sell it, it wouldn't be worth giving it up for the 10 bucks I might get for it.
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I guess that's good...but what we really needed there was something like a Circuit City or Best Buys
Agreed!
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Hubby is 9 months older than I.
Same here.
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It really sucks that Rambo is hurt, but I'm so glad he was found alive. I hope his recovery is smooth and swift.
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When I was a kid, I was taken to the circus every year. It was something that I got so excited about, when circus time came near. As I got a little older, early teens, I started thinking about the lives of the animals and how horrible it must be to live that way. Two years ago my kids asked to go to the circus... I felt bad that I had never taken them, since during my childhood, it was something that I really enjoyed. I went ahead and got tickets. I didn't enjoy the show at all. I just kept thinking about all the things I've heard and read about the way the animals are treated. Luckily, my kids didn't really like the circus either... and have never asked to go back.
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....but they have not come up with NOTHING!!!!...
So... they came up with something?
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and to Chelle - I am sorry to hear about your sis - I don't believe anyone can be 'brainwashed' unless they allow themselves to be - I hope you hear from her again one day and I hope all is well -
Thanks. My sis was never a really strong person and has always been easily influenced by others. Scientology really likes these kinds of people... makes their job a whole lot easier. Oh, and guess who runs NA (Narcotics Anonymous)... yep, Scientology. Easy prey. I believe that's how they found my sis... or vice versa, although I can't verify that... since my sister won't communicate with me.
also, to add to the point that Chelle was making - wouldn't this be true of any/all religions when you get down to the nitty gritty of it?I think there is too much focus on money in just about any religion these days. I think an important thing to keep in mind though, is that this man was a science fiction writer... and his "religion" and teachings... well, a lot of it looks like it came straight from a science fiction novel. I really feel that this creative man just decided to apply his ideas to something more financially rewarding and noteworthy than books... to become a founder of a religion, a leader, an icon. He probably didn't even realize how big it would become and how many people would actually "fall for it." Yes, this is my opinion, but the part about him being a sci-fi writer and actually saying that a way to get rich would be to start a religion... that is fact.
If you can take bits & pieces from each - and mold them into what you want for yourself, you could find peace. I don't think that anyone should throw themselves full force into any religion, it would only cause one to close up the possiblity to look further -did that make any sense to anyone other than myself?
Absolutely, I agree. There is no religion of which I can say I whole heartedly agree with 100% of their beliefs. I can say that I find meaning and truth in many different religions.
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You should get some more ideas from here:
http://search.azlyrics.com/cgi-bin/azseek.cgi?q=17
You might even get a few more by changing the query from "17" to "seventeen."
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Scientology was started by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer, who said one way to get rich is to start a religion... so he did.
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"When somebody enrolls, consider he or she has joined up for the duration of the universe - never permit an ‘open-minded’ approach... If they enrolled, they’re aboard, and if they’re aboard they’re here on the same terms as the rest of us - win or die in the attempt. Never let them be half minded about being Scientologists... When Mrs. Pattycake comes to us to be taught, turn that wandering doubt in her eye into a fixed, dedicated glare… The proper instruction attitude is, ‘We'd rather have you dead than incapable.’"
-L. Ron Hubbard, KEEPING SCIENTOLOGY WORKING, 7 February 1965, reissued 27 August 1980
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"If attacked on some vulnerable point by anyone or anything or any organization, always find or manufacture enough threat against them to cause them to sue for peace."
-L. Ron Hubbard, Hubbard Communications Office Policy Letter, 15 August 1960, Dept. of Govt. Affairs
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Things are taught in stages/levels... They start out slow, the further you go, the more twisted the ideas and teachings are. They draw people in slowly, then they find anything they can use against you if you decide you want to get out.
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I've had to do some digging on Scientology. They got my step-sister (we were also best friends for 10 years) in '96/97 and I haven't heard from her since '98.
We never had a falling out or anything, they somehow brainwashed her to break ties/communications with people that didn't support scientology. BE CAREFUL.
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Oh my....... When I first read this I thought it said..........G-string.
Welcome 6 string!
lol, that's how I read it too.
Welcome 6-String.
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The first time we went, we stayed at the Venetian. It was a wonderful experience. If you don't stay there, you should at least go in and check out the Grande Canal Shoppes... it's breathtaking. Here's a link: http://www.venetian.com/shoppe/about.cfm
The next time we went, we stayed at Harrah's. It was nice but we liked the Venetian better, although costwise, Harrah's was a better value.
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This is so incredibly sad.
Prayers said for all involved, their families, friends and anyone on the scene that tried to help.
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Alright, let me try this again. If this works, you will need to take out the ****** between script language= and JavaScript, on the first line.
Edit: On this second one, you can right click and view source to get the code.
Tonight's episode of "House" hit Home.
in Internet Cafe
Posted
Yes, it did happen for real. When researching Noah's condition(s) on the net, I ran across that picture and sobbed, knowing that having in-utero surgery was a real possibility for us.
Here's a link to the pic.
http://www.michaelclancy.com