Ethan's Birth Story

This is Ethan's Gastroschisis birth story which is what his Dad wrote when he was just born. 

September 12, 2011

My Mommy and Daddy went to work on Monday September 12, 2011 just like any other work day.  My Daddy was currently on an audit assignment in San Ramon and also had a volunteer project in the afternoon in Clayton.  My Mommy texted him that morning from work that she wasn't feeling me as active as usual and that Dr. Walton (more about Dr. Walton) wanted to have her come in for an impromptu appointment to conduct a non-stress test and to do an ultrasound. Around 3:30 pm my Mommy called Daddy to tell him that she was being held for observation at Labor and Delivery triage. My Daddy dropped what he was doing at the volunteer project and went straight to Kaiser Oakland.

When my Daddy arrived at the hospital, everyone was watching me 24/7 via the fetal non stress test monitor. Dr. Walton decided it would be best if Mommy and I were admitted for observation just to be safe.

Fetal Non Stress Test

Fetal Non-Stress Test Monitor

September 13, 2011

Dr. Walton told Mommy today several reasons why he thought we should get me out early:  I wasn't being active enough.  I hadn't rotated and was still in the breech position.  My stomach was showing up dilated on the ultrasound indicating fluid was building up in my tummy.  My parents agreed scheduling the C section is the best thing for me so tomorrow will be a very exciting day.  Daddy has yet to go home since yesterday but he's very focused and would not leave us for one moment, he has hunkered down here with Mommy and I.

Lounge chair transformed into bed for Daddy

September 14, 2011

I was born today at 1:24 PM!  Dr. Walton and Dr. Jardini (Chief Resident who is learning from Dr. Walton) performed the C section without any problems and out I came, bowels and all.  Now the hard work begins, I have all this intestine that didn't make it inside my belly and slowly they're going to push it back inside until they can close the opening in my tummy.  My parents have known about this 16 weeks into the pregnancy so they've done a lot of preparation for this day, I am so thankful for their love, dedication, and strong will.  Other parents would have probably freaked out but they are eternal optimists.  I'm off to the Neonatal ICU (NICU) and Mommy is going to recover from the C section.  I am very lucky to be born at Kaiser Oakland as their NICU unit is well equipped to handle my condition. 

Dr. Chong is the best pediatric surgeon and I am so lucky to have him be the one to help me with my gastroschisis.  He was ready for me as soon as I arrived at the NICU and carefully put all my bowel in the silo. There are various gastroschisis treatment options but the silo is the most common method for putting the bowel back in the abdominal cavity.  

This is me, minutes after birth.  Scary I know, that's a lot of bowel.

After I got cleaned up, Dr. Chong put my bowel in a silo to begin the process of getting everything back in my tummy.

September 16, 2011

My first two days here in the NICU has been focused on getting my bowel back in my belly.  Dr. Chong comes by everyday to inspect the silo and gently pushes more into my stomach.  He says that I've been doing great and that we've made tremendous progress in just two days.  The goal continues to be to get all of the bowel back in my body so that I can undergo surgery to close my stomach.  Though I'm the center of attention, keep in mind my Mommy is also recovering from a C section.  We have had many visitors the first few days, even my future Ninang all the way from Los Angeles!  Their presence as well as the frequent visits of my Lolo, Lola and Tita keeps me strong and their love and prayers is the best medicine.

Dr. Chong makes an adjustment to the silo holding my bowels

September 18, 2011

It's now Sunday and Dr. Chong says I should be ready for surgery tomorrow! My parents have done tons of research on gastroschisis and they're well aware that sometimes it could take weeks before all the bowels can be put back inside.  They're very proud and elated to know that by the end of day tomorrow I will be totally closed up and all my intestine will be where it belongs.  Amazing progress in four days, thank you Lord for watching over me!

TPN (total parenteral nutrition), Lipids (fat), and morphine when needed all go into my  PICC line.

The progress I've made in four days.  My bowel used to fill up this silo, each zip tie is a milestone.
The plan for tomorrow is to get ready for surgery. 
I'm a strong boy, let's get this surgery
 over with so I can go home!

September 19, 2011

At around noon I was whisked away to the operating room to have my stomach closed after four days of slowly pushing my intestines back in me.  The operation lasted only a few hours but recovering from it will take me a few weeks.  After getting all of my bowel pushed back in, I didn't know that it would take up that much space in my belly.  This resulted in a tremendous amount of pressure pushing up against my stomach and lungs.  Initially after the surgery I had trouble breathing causing great distress to my parents, unfortunately I went into code Blue but the NICU doctors were able to put me on a Jet Ventilator which keeps my lungs inflated at all times to combat the pressure.  Over the next couple of days they will decrease the settings on the ventilator as my abdominal cavity adjusts and hopefully i'll be able to breathe on my own.

September 23, 2011

Today I was able to totally breathe on my own without assistance from a ventilator!  The respiratory therapist tried to transition me to a bubble CPAP ventilator but I put up a fight and swatted away their hands until the doctors suggested, "Let's just see how he does without any assistance."  To their amazement, I demonstrated that I could breathe steadily on my own. 

I am a happy baby.  Bowels are back inside me, surgery went well, and breathing on my own.  (This tube in my nose is there to vacuum the contents of my stomach.) 
I look much better without any organs outside of my body!  Hallelujah!

September 26, 2011

I've been breathing on my own for a few days now and the doctors have been waiting for the stomach juices they've been vacuuming to start turning clear before introducing me to any milk.  The gut apparently doesn't just start working right away just because it's now inside me.  However, yesterday everyone got excited because I had my first poop! So today Dr. Chong said I could start having some breast milk, 12 milliliters to be exact.  I know that's not even a teaspoon, but c'mon give me a break, they have to go slow as my gut slowly comes back to function. 

They're no longer vacuuming the contents of my stomach. This smaller tube is what they're using to feed me.
My meal for today - mom's breast milk. They will slowly increase the volume if  I don't throw up and show that I'm digesting.

October 4, 2011

We've been chugging a long, increasing the feeding volumes in my nose the last few days without any problems.  I've been showing everyone that I can eat and poop with the best of them.  Today they kicked me out of my incubator and upgraded me to a real crib!  I'm a big boy now.  I can't wait to get this feeding tube out of my nose so I can get some practice breast feeding directly from Mommy.

Happy things are moving along nicely, just as I had planned!  




Teddy keeps me company inside my crib.

October 6, 2011

Today they removed my feeding tube!! It's time to show everyone I can breastfeed and gain weight then we can go home!!  It's been quite a ride so far and I can't believe it's almost over, I am so happy that we're so close to getting discharged.  I've seen other babies here with me in the NICU and it's definitely put in perspective for me at this early age what is important in life.  The love of God and my family is all I need to survive in this world.  I will never forget all the people who have helped me come this far, I am forever thankful.

Apparently I have to sit in my car seat for two hours  to show that  I am ready to go home.
I can sleep in peace without all those tubes and wires.

October 10, 2011

It's been a little less than a month since I've been born and I'm proud to say we're going home!! I am eating at full capacity now for a newborn, gaining weight, and pooping like a champ.  I cry when I'm hungry, dirty, cranky or want to be held.  I'm calling the shots just like I'm supposed to.  Life doesn't get any better than this!

Sleeping at home, in my own crib.  Now I can dream peacefully about becoming a doctor one day...

October 14, 2011

Living at home is great.  My parents are doing such a great job taking care of me.  To think it was just one month ago that I was born with my guts hanging out is mind boggling.  As I grow older, hopefully I can spread my story and be a beacon of hope for other parents who may encounter gastroschisis and be comforted to know that it's not as bad as it may seem.

Recap of my journey: