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This will help keep you informed about Dennis' progress on his special journey through life!
Dennis was born on September 15th, 1999.The doctors that took care of me during my pregnancy did not think that he was going to be born alive. Early on in my pregnancy after bleeding numerous amount of times, I was told that my baby did not have a heartbeat, and my husband and I were told that we just needed to abort the baby.I told them that if it was God's will, then my body would abort the baby on it's own, there was just something that told my husband and I not to go through with their advice. I continued bleeding for awhile,but after another ultrasound, they found the heartbeat!!!!!
I continued having problems during my pregnancy, my baby had what is called fetal hydrops (fluid in his abdomen), he had so much fluid accumulating that we were again told that he would not make it to term, and were not given much hope at all. We were on an emotional roller coaster, then I started getting too much amniotic fluid, so between his fluid, and my amniotic fluid accumulating at such a fast rate, I started going into pre-mature labor from about 4-5 months on. I was put on strict bedrest, and was given some medicines to take to stop my labor, and had to go to the hospital frequently, due to the medicine's not helping sometimes.I was having ultrasounds every 2 weeks,sometimes every week, had all kinds of testing done (amniocentsis, and such.)Things were not looking so good, we were told the baby may have birth defects. But we continued on with the pregnancy.
When the tests came back, they were not bad. So I started getting shots to mature his lungs, because we knew he would not make it to full term, and he had a ways to go. I prayed everyday, to let my baby be ok. I sang to him, talked to him, rubbed him, and would listen to music, which he seemed to love.
Close to the end of my pregnancy, he started flipping around over and over in my stomach, and I knew something was wrong, it was like he was not getting enough oxygen, and was trying to find a way to go so he could get more, well then I went into labor, and when I arrived at the hosp. they put me on the monitors of course. My husband left for a few min. to go home and get us some clothes and such.
A few min. after he left,I felt something was wrong, and the babys heartrate started going down,I was told by the nurse that this happens sometimes, which I knew that, but I told her that I know there is something wrong, but she kept assuring me that things were ok.
Well, I was given petocin, so I could have stronger and faster contractions to be able to have the baby sooner, because my ob was on call. I was also given an epidural to try to help with the pain of the contractions, with the medicine (petocin) I hardly had time to breathe between contractions, well the epidural did not take, so the anesthioligist came back in and tried again., this one did not take either, now I attribute it to me being so upset, knowing something was not right with my baby.
When Dennis made his way into the world, he took in his first breath of air, his chest sunk in, and that is the last breath he took on his own. They tried and tried to get him breathing, they tried intubating him, and were not to get the tube through to his blockage, finally they were able to corkscrew the smallest catheter through the blockage, but he was not able to release the carbon dioxide, so he was in major trouble.
He was finally transfered to Children's Hosp. about 45 min. away, while the medical personel were still breathing for him. His dad followed the ambulance down, and when they reached the hosp. I recieved a phone call from the doctor asking if he could preform a tracheotomy on Dennis, since my husband didn't want to make the decision without me having some input. We both said yes, the doctor said this is his only chance to live, if it doesn't work, then he will die.
Luckily it did work, and that began the life of our little angel.
Dennis had to have the trach due to severe subglottic stenosis, and tracheal malasia.The chest sinking in was due to pectus excavatum. We stayed at the hospital for 45 days, while he was in the NICU, learning how to care for the tracheostomy, and he also had a feeding tube, due to a high palete, and no sucking reflex. He was on a respirator for a little while, but by the time we were able to take him home, he was off of it for good. Dennis has what is called Goldenhar Syndrome His health issues at this time are as follows: Tracheostomy , due to Severe Subglottic Stenosis and Tracheomalacia. Feeding tube due to High palete, delayed gastric emptying, recessed lower jaw, and has GERD. Hearing deficit in left ear., cannot speak due to the tracheostomy,(HE CAN SPEAK NOW!!) and uses sign language. He also has a cyst in left eye, with Duane's syndrome, and hyperopia in both eyes. Butterfly vertabrae (spine). Heart problems consist of congential heart disease, right ventricular hypertrophy, small patent foramen ovale with an atrial septal aneurysm, and is displaced to the left with compression of the right aspect of the heart, due to pectus deformity.(stable as of now, has to be rechecked to keep up with his progress) Lung problems consist of chronic respiratory problems, chronic peribronchial thickening, Asthma, COPD,frequent infections, and his lungs are being compressed due to the pectus deformity also. Liver is displaced downward, also from the pectus def. prune like belly with defect in the abdominal musculature. Allergies and Excema His pectus deformity is rated severe on the Haller index which anything greater than 3.2 and his rates 9.8, he has 19 millimeters between his sternum and spine.(Corrected July 2005) He is the happiest child that I have ever seen, he never meets a stranger, and loves everyone
Dennis L. 111 P.O.Box 3272 Morristown,Tennessee 37815-3272
Parents: Dennis and Charlotte L. Sister : Ashley Birthday 9/24/1994
As the rain mist upon your face when your outside reflect back when we became friends a simple letter stating who you were and why you were here a correspondence from me with lots hugs it all started with a touch of the mouse. We talked we laughed we emailed to our hearts desires we became closer never knowing one day how close we really would be that day came to a close when I met you for the first time your eyes just lit up and when I met Dennis my heart just melted. I knew then that one does not see flaws in angels only the pureness and the love that shines through we giggled we walked we talked and then later on I had to go a very sad time for us but joyful knowing I would talk to you again later on we met up at your house. I got to meet your daughter little sprite that she is I knew then that we were intertwined as family and best friends for always why you say when we have so much in common but so little with problems because I say back and I quote "one does not see flaws in angels only the pureness and the love that shines through" till then when death over rides our souls and we blend in heaven with the good man above I thank God everyday that you are my best friend and your family is part of us.!!!!
Here is the candle Jamie lit for us on Feb.4th, 2006
THIS IS THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHOM TAKES DENNIS' PROFFESSIONAL PICTURES! GO VISIT HER WEBSITE, SHE HAS LOTS OF NEAT PICTURES!
Cheryl Moms Win www.momswin.com/cnb Home Office: 401-475-8132 Mobile Office: 781-888-8841 Enhancing Lives - Helping Others!
Journal
Thursday, December 11, 2008 2:25 PM CST
Hello everyone! Dennis is doing great! He is still in school, and in the 2nd grade. He is done with surgeries for the winter time, and the next surgery on the agenda is facial reconstruction, unless the bar in his chest does not hold out, then he will have that one done first. But, most of all, he is doing great. And is still talking up a storm, seems like he has not been quite since he learned to speak without the tracheostomy,lol. I will try and put up new pics. today, if not, I will soon. Hugs, Charlotte
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THIS IS THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHOM TAKES DENNIS' PROFFESSIONAL PICTURES! GO VISIT HER WEBSITE, SHE HAS LOTS OF NEAT PICTURES!
