Nathan, born 2006

We have two beautiful daughters and last year we found out we were expecting our third child - a little boy! Our son, Nathaniel Vincent, was born on September 5, 2006. His birth went very well and there weren't any complications. The day after his birth, we were informed that his breathing was more rapid than normal and they wanted to continue to monitor him. They wouldn't let us see him because of the monitoring and this became extremely frustrating to us. We just wanted to hold him.

 

The following day, we met with the Pediatric Cardiologist who diagnosed Nathaniel with a very large Ventricular Septal Defect (9mm), an Atrial Septal Defect and a Patent Ductus Arteriosus. She went on to say that he would probably need open surgery surgery before the age of two. We were devastated! How do you handle that kind of news? A day later, they sent us all home and we were told to watch for him to stop breathing, not eating or gaining weight, and excessive sweating. I didn't know if I knew what to do with a child who had a CHD. We cried and prayed a lot in the beginning. We were told to treat him normal, which up to that point, I thought I knew what normal was. But he became a whole new normal. Respirations for Nathan at 70-80 bpm became "normal". Watching his extremities turn blue when he cried became "normal".

 

Nathan had his two week check up with his PC and she said that his PDA was almost closed and his VSD was getting smaller. At his two month check-up, we were told that his PDA was closed but the other holes were the same. However, the best news came at his four month appointment that his ASD was now closed and his VSD was no longer large as it had shrunk to 3mm and is considered a small VSD now!

 

We continue praying for him everyday but we no longer worry as much as we did in the beginning. He continues to gain weight normally and is right along with the growth chart for infants his age. I would say to all the parents having to go through this is that there is hope! Every child is a miracle and this is our child's miracle story!

 

Story by Nathan's mom, Jennie - Virginia