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JenniferBalistreri

How CDH came into my life

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My name is Jennifer and I became a CHERUBS member I think it was 2005/2006. My son was diagnosed with CDH when is was 7 months old while on vacation in Southern California. After misdiagnosis as Bronchialitis (sp?) and after almost a week and half of treating him for that, he was finally diagnosed after a second Xray was taken as a CDH. There was nothing in his abdomen. His left lung had collapsed and was filled with intestine. It was a blessing that when he was born his heart was on the right side of his body instead of the left, cause it didn't put any stress on his heart. Within an hour of the correct diagnosis, he was rushed to a second children's hospital and was there for 10 days. It was a very stressful time. Not only is my son seriously ill but we had to room with patients that were dying and it was so hard to have any sort of hope. After his repari, the lower lobe of his lung was damaged. They had to put him into a temporary coma so they could keep him intabated. He came out of that deep sedation with the biggest smile on his face. He was and still is the happiest little boy. Within the first year of the surgery he had chronic respitory infectsions. The people in the ER knew us by our first names. The first time he held is own bottle was in the hospital. Not a place I would like to have had it, but I was fortunate to have that moment. He is now a healthy, active little boy with the same big smile. He is amazing and ist just how realizing he has a scar. He calls it a scratch. He is now 3 years old and we are trying to do the potty training thing....which is another story in itself.

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(Nathan age 2),
We were introduced to CHERUBS by a mom who volunteered in the play room at the hospital and while my husband who is also a CDH survivor, was in there with our daughter gave him this amazing website. Her son died after 6 weeks. After Nathan's recovery, I also found out that my friend's daughter had CDH and also died after 6 weeks. I am blessed to have my son.

My husband is a CDH survivor. He was diagnosed at a year and spent over 8 months straight in the hospital. Several times his parents were told to not expect him to come out of surgery. His father planned his funeral several times. Today he has HORRIBLE scars and doesnt have all of his intestines and has trouble with his bowels. He still has some stitches in his body, but is other wise healthy. His story is an amazing one.

[img:7ae26b88d2]http://cdhsupport.org/members/weblogs/upload/51/174751989547620f005bee3.jpg[/img:7ae26b88d2]
Nathan with his new brother, Jacob and his older sister Emily -March 2007

I have three kids now. Emily is almost 5 and was born with a cleft lip and palate. Nathan is 3 1/2 and was born with dextra cardia and then diagnosed with CDH and baby Jake who has had no health problems what so ever! I am truly blessed! Truly Blessed![color=black:7ae26b88d2][/color:7ae26b88d2]

[img:7ae26b88d2]http://cdhsupport.org/members/weblogs/upload/51/6146470124761f96de0fdd.jpg[/img:7ae26b88d2]
Nathan May 2007

[img:7ae26b88d2]http://cdhsupport.org/members/weblogs/upload/51/17639077154761fa7836c25.jpg[/img:7ae26b88d2]
Nathan August 2007
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