hand picked

i wanted to share some information i just got from the medical records i requested from TCH they came in the mail today, a huge packet of files, hard to believe this was the "basics" the eeg, ultrasound, labs, xray , surgery,and delivery reports. obviously there is still a lot to read but i did learn, as i couldnt remember who had done zach's surgery, odd but i guess at the time things were in such a blur. but my Thanks and Grattitude and more go to Dr.Wesson, he did a wonderful job! in his report he noted that zach had almost no diaphram tissue, the words in the report are...
Findings at operation: He had a very large defect with almost no diaphragm anteriorly and posteriorly with a small left lung. there was no hernia sac. approx. half the liver was up in the chest as well as the stomach, small bowel, colon and spleen.
because there was an inadequate diaphragm for any kind of primary closure, they made aflap of muscle from the transversus abdominis, seperating the transversus abdominis from the interna; and external oblique muscles superiorly and laterally.

i had NO idea how bad his defect was, given that with his prematurity and the fact he had half his liver in his chest, yes were looking at a miracle! had Dr. Wesson decided to give zach a patch, he would have outgrown it many months ago, reherinated and would have had at least one more surgery for that, if not more. Thank you for using his muscle as it can grow with him! Dr. Wesson was not suppose to be our surgeon, in fact the surgeon i met with prior to zach being born was an awesome doctor as well but was leaving for vacation or to work at another hospital for a short time, at the time zach was delievered, i remember being concerned that he wouldnt be doing the surgery and now, i can see it was for a reason, Dr. Wesson was hand picked.

i also learned that on day 1 of life zach needed a blood transfusion, i really dont recall that one, im sure dad signed the papers for it. i learned that he was bagged and needed resuscication (sp) at birth.

seeing all that needed to be done when it was done for Zach and all the skill that was required to save him, i know Texas Children's was Hand picked, anywhere else and Zach probably wouldnt be here today, thank you to EVERYONE at TCH the staff is wonderful, caring and experienced. we couldnt have asked for better.

and so that leaves one question.....why Zach? the answer i think you know, he was hand picked. what for? im unsure but you can bet it will be something great! He has already touched many lives, changed many people and given soo much back to everyone he meets. Zach's amazing, and yea im a little Bias:)

i hope if any newly diagnosed CDH parents or parents with a baby born with CDH read this and have been concerned with the "outcome expected" or been told to "terminate" i hope this little bit of information can be a world of inspiration to them. dont loose hope, dont give up, and if you dont like the answers your getting, dont settle.

after we met with the first hospital and was basically told to terminate we left with a mission, later that week i contacted TCH via phone and spoke to there NICU, a nurse answered some questions and from that moment i knew thats where we would go. when Harold came home from work i told him we would be delivering in Houston, he said he would give it a shot and see how the first visit went and if it was like the last he wasnt gonna bother, much to his suprise he left the appointment that day telling me this was the place, Dr. Carpenter was the doctor who would deliver Zach. it was all Hand Picked from above......