CDH Stories
Zachary’s Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) and Omphalocele
I remember my OB calling me to discuss the results over the phone and trying to prepare me for getting back poor blood results. He said “you are young and can try again for a perfect baby.” This made everything sink in. When I heard my doctor suggest termination, it made me think they would terminate in my shoes, and it immediately sank in how much of a battle my little boy had ahead.
Rakari's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
The doctors told us if they had to remove Rakari from the machine before he was ready to get off, it would be a chance of him passing. But he didn’t. He’s a fighter, and he got off ECMO December 21, 2018.
Henry's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
I was given the option of sending him with a 5% chance of survival and risk him dying alone or I could hold him while he passed. I had to send him, it was never an option for him to die.
Emerie's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
Today, Emmie is a completely perfect and healthy (almost) 7-year-old! She loves homeschooling, her big sister, and playing with her friends and family. She is an incredible little builder and delights in showing off her newest creations — from Lego structures to elaborate forts. Our life truly is one “after CDH” and not “with CDH.”
Suzanne's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
My life hasn't been easy as a CDH survivor, but I am a professional photographer, vocalist, dancer, and petite model, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be on this earth and to be able to share my gifts with the world!
Ethan's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
“Meet your little guy, Mom! Congratulations.” That was when I knew that Ethan was in good hands because for the first time I had a doctor congratulate me on the blessing that is my baby. It was the best feeling in the world to know someone was fighting alongside us to do whatever possible to save our baby.
Addie Ann's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
We still have procedures and surgeries to worry about, but she’s a very happy girl and such a firecracker! We love her and her scars that tell an amazing story and we always take the chance to spread awareness.
Abel's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
We were asked not once, but five times if we were “sure” we didn’t want to abort the pregnancy. Our firm answer was no.
Harlan's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
We got to remove the oxygen on his first birthday, which was the best birthday present ever! With the help of many therapies, Harlan is now a thriving 15-month-old with a constant smile on his face who cruises everywhere, eats everything by mouth, and babbles up a storm.
Camden's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
I hope by sharing Camden’s story that another family will read it and realize that you don’t have to settle for 13%. Our 13% just turned a year old and is doing amazing!
Arabella's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
We paid an outside source for an early gender reveal. We delayed going home be we could not contain our excitement to finally have a girl. We were over the moon. We celebrated and danced around singing "we're having a girl." Little did we know how irrelevant gender was during the anatomy scan.
Micah's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
The overwhelming support of family, friends, employers, and the CDH community coupled with many, many miracles sprinkled throughout the next five months enabled us to relocate from California to Florida in preparation for Micah's arrival. God’s hand was so evidently involved in every step of the way.
Taylor's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
I was born with undiagnosed LCDH in 1991 in a small rural hospital. The doctors noticed something was wrong with me right from the start as I entered the world blue. It was too foggy to be life flighted to the nearest NICU two hours away, so I was taken by ground. Not even 24 hours old my parents had to make the decision to put me on ECMO.
Landon's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
On day 323, we were discharged from the hospital...just a few days before Landon’s first Christmas! What a treat it was to spend Christmas together outside of the hospital. And on day 355, Landon finally made his way back home to South Carolina! Just one week shy of his first birthday! Our journey is a long way from over, but we’ve come so far than the 35% chance of survival that we were initially given!
Olivia's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
She weighed in at a tiny 3 pounds 15 ounces. She cried twice before they could intubate her. The most wonderful sound I have ever heard.
Kennedi's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
She was placed on ECMO at less than an hour old and had her repair surgery was done at 6 hours old while on ECMO. She stayed on ECMO for 13 days. 95% of Kennedis’ left diaphragm was missing and Dr. Kays said her lungs where so small they were nonexistent.
Scarlett's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
Despite her setbacks and despite undergoing open-heart surgery, she is a healthy, happy baby. She shows no signs of pulmonary hypertension, is off oxygen support, and is off all medications related to CDH, despite having been born with only 20% of her left lung.
Caleb T’s Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
We went home with more questions than we had going to that appointment. In a short amount of time, we learned what we could about this life-threatening birth defect. We also learned that Pediatric Surgeon Dr. David Kays had one of the highest survival rates in the world for a congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair.
Logan B’s Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
If I could give any advice to CDH families it would be to stay positive and no matter how hard it may be, never lose hope. And to reach out for support, every story is different, but we’ve all been through the emotional rollercoaster.
Jackson's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
Friday morning I got the call from Joy! “We’re coming to get Jackson.” Dr. Kays decided to make the trip to Baltimore at the tail end of a nor’easter to transport my critical baby on ECMO back to JHACH.