Hamilton, Coleman Allen

In October 1995, I was 41 weeks pregnant with no sign of change. My doctor induced and it was an almost text book delivery. Instead of us being able to rejoice, it became the beginning of many emotions with much uncertainty.

My son Coleman Allen Hamilton came into this world unable to take his first breath. The delivery room was filled with specialist within seconds, he was rushed to emergency surgery. We were told he had a diaphragmatic hernia on the left side with his intestines filling the chest cavity leaving no room for the left lung to develop. At the time, his condition was described as minute to minute.

After the surgery, he was oxygenating in the 30 percent range even on a ventilator. It was then we were told he might need to go on a machine called ECMO (a heart-lung bypass to re-route his blood to oxygenate it and return it to his body). The problem was, the closest one was an hour and a half away and they were not sure if he would even survive the trip. They knew a helicopter would be too rough and even contemplated on what road to take just to get to the highway.

Well, he survived the trip and 24 hours later was placed on ECMO. While on ECMO, he had a couple set backs and they had to change the machine out, along with re-routing the cannulas (which had to be sutured to his face so they wouldn't move).

On the ninth day, the Doctors decided he needed to go off ECMO, or it would be even more dangerous. The surgery to remove the ECMO took longer than expected, but he finally made it through. The next 2 ½ months brought many moments of joy and sadness... I got to hold him for the first time...on the ventilator...off the ventilator just to go back on again.

Next, Cole developed a condition called Chylothorax. When described to me by the doctor, I asked what is usually done about it and he stated, "most babies die". I'll never forget those words.

For the next few days, the doctor came in and "tapped" his chest to drain the fluid accumulated in his chest cavity. Miraculously, it cleared up on it's own.

When it came time for us to leave the neonatal unit, the doctors were saying "we don't know what to tell you, we've never had a baby leave this hospital with as severe problems as your son". We transported Cole by ambulance to our home 3 days before Christmas. What better way to celebrate the birth of Christ! He was still on oxygen, monitors, NG feedings, and lots of medications, but he was finally home where he belonged.

After some developmental delays and reflux issues, he became a pretty healthy toddler. He is now 5 years old and is a wonderful big brother. While his future is uncertain, we love him very much and cherish every day we are blessed to have him in our lives.


Written by Coleman’s mom, Lori Hamilton (Texas)
2000