Thursday, January 8, 2009

Our Sweet Liam



We had our little boy December 30th at 9:42 p.m. He weighed 7.9 lbs. (same as Linc) and was 19 1/4 in. long. They were going to c-section me on Jan. 12th but he just couldn't wait till then. When he was born he had a lot more wrong with him that we didn't know about. He has something called Cloacal exstrophy. It is very rare and non of the Doctors knew what was wrong with him. The surgeon came down and looked at him and knew he had to be transfered to Childrens Hospital as soon as they could. So he had the Omphalocele and then the other included all this. He does not have an anus and the area under the omphalocele was all open and everything there was like cut in half and laid open. His bladder, part of his intestine, and colon were also fused together. The front of his pelvis did not form and was also laying open. His little boy stuff was pretty much not there. They did find his kidney and found that there was an obstruction, but both are working great. They rushed him to childrens and when he was only 10 hours old they performed a 9 hour surgery on him. I obviously had to stay at the hospital and our friends had the kids, Jared went to the hospital. Laurance, Julie, and my mom flew in that afternoon so they could all be here for us and help out. Jareds dad went to the hospital to be with him and my mom and Julie went to get the kids. To make a very long story short about his surgery, It went sooooo well. They were able to completely construct a bladder for him, The made a little "boy part" and were able to get and bring down his testicles. It is pretty small but there. He does not have an anus and there for will have a colostomy bag for the rest of his life. His right kidney is working great and connected to his bladder. The left, has that block, but is working GREAT! It is not connected to his bladder so he has it draining into a bag on his left side. They said they would reconnect it when he was about 1. They were able to seperate all the fused parts and put them back together. They brought his pelvis together and banded it. When he is 1 they will have to operate again to fix this. They then were able to close the opening up, except for the Omphalocele. He has some things wrong with his spine and they wont know what it is until later when they can do some scans. They are not sure if he will ever be able to walk or not yet, but they say he will live a long normal (considering) life. He is mentally all there and so very normal.
Because of his extensive surgery they put him in traction, put him on meds that paralize him as well as a ton of pain and other meds. He is on a ventilator but is starting to take breaths on his own. The traction part is where his legs are bound together and hanging in a 90* angle. They don't want him to move because of his pelvis. Today (jan. 8) they just took him off the meds that paralize him and we are hoping to start to see some movement and eventually he will open his eyes. They hope to put all the Omphalocele back in in about a week or so. He is extreamly swollen from all that he has gone through and plus he can't move.
It has been hard to see him like this, but he has blessed our lives more than he will ever know. Every day I see him I fall deeper and deeper in love with this extraordinary little boy. He is my hero. Thank you sooooo much for all your prayers and support through this difficult time. I will try to post updates often. We love you all.

Liam in Traction and paralyzed

You can see the Omphalocele on his little belly. It has gone down a lot since he was born. When they are able to put it all back in, then they will make him a little belly button.


He has the cutest little toes!!!


Most of his wires and monitors, actually its only about half. He has so many.

31 comments:

Valerie said...

Linz congrats on the birth of your beautiful little boy. I am so glad that the surgery went well. We will keep you in our prayers.

Mindi said...

I have been checking several times a day for this update. He is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Wish we could come see him in person. I agree his toes are adorable. For so many things not right- he looks so Healthy! He really is a special little guy who has brought EVERYONE closer as we all keep calling each other for updates. THinking and praying for you - if there is anything we can do let us know.

Deanne said...

Congrats on your beautiful little boy! We will keep you guys in our prayers.

Rachey said...

I love his full head of dark hair! I'm so glad things are going well and pray that they will continue to.

i'm h.mac said...

he is so beautiful. i just can't stop crying, mostly because i can tell by your words that this baby came to the right home. heavenly father really knows us so personally doesn't he? i hope this new chapter in your life is full of love and peace!

Christina Huling said...

Linzie, he is so beautiful! He just melts my heart. He seems like a tough little guy and a fighter. He is blessed to have such wonderful parents and siblings! Let me know what I can do to help!

Unknown said...

Oh I am so in love!! He is so stinking precious. I am so glad I get to be his aunt! I love you so much and I have learned a lot from your strength through all of this. Liam is so lucky to have the parents and siblings that he has and we are all so lucky to be apart of his life. Love ya Linz

Shea said...

Congratulations on your BEAUTIFUL baby boy. I dont even know him and feel so much love for him. We are praying for you, him, and your family. We love you!!!

Lyssa said...

He is truly beautiful! I am so glad that things are going so well for him. We will continue to pray for your family.

burton family said...

Congratulations! I am so happy that things are going so well (considering). He is adorable. Let me know how I can help out.

Valerie said...

Congratulations! Tyson told us you had him early. So you and your family have been in our thoughts and prayers. Remember I would love to help with the kids inbetween when you don't have family in town. I have a thing for little baby toes and his are adorable.

The Pack's said...

Linzie, Thanks for the update. Just as Mindi said, we have been checking your blog several times as well. He is so adorable and cute. I am so amazed how much can be done medically for such a little boy. What a blessing for him to be born at this time and receive all the help that is available for him. We will continue to keep Liam in our prayers as well as the rest of you. Hang it there and let us know if we can do anything for you.

DaveandAnnie said...

We're praying for you guys. How are you doing (c section)? He looks so much like Linc. Adorable boy!

Sean, Siri, Addie and Connor said...

Congrats on your little sweet Liam. We are so glad that the surgery went well. We will keep you in our prayers. Love you guys!

Alyson said...

You are right, he really does look like you, especially in the first one. And he is a big boy just like his brother. I just think little boys are the best (dont tell Ada)

Cianne said...

What a sweet face! Know that we are thinking of you.

Tyson said...

He is perfect. Seriously. He is so darling. I am so glad to hear all the news and see pictures. He seems to be doing so awesome! I am so glad! I know it will be a long battle for him, but he has come to a great family and I can just tell he has the strongest little spirit. We are back in the states so I will call you when the jet lag subsides and be checking for more updates.

Jake & Candice Root said...

Congratulations on a beautiful baby boy! We are so happy to hear that the surgery went well. You are such an amazingly strong person Linz. We love you all so much and you will continue to be in our prayers!

alexandra said...

Congrats on such a sweet little addition to your family. He's lucky to have you! Couldn't help but tear up as I read the blog. It reminded me of Jared and the Bishop's testimonies about this entire experience for your family. This little spirit surely was meant to come to you guys.

Ashby said...

He's beautiful Linzie! Thanks for sharing the pictures and the update! You guys are in our prayers!!!

Mimi said...

What a sweet baby boy - it is wonderful to see his picture and read your update. You continue to be in our prayers. I am excited for all of you as he begins to move and open his eyes. May all continue to go as well as it can.

Darren and Whitnee Young said...

He is SOOO precious! So cute! I love him! We will you you all in our prayers!

jellington614 said...

He looks a lot like Lincoln. So cute! You are all amazing! I will keep praying for you but I am glad to know that things are going smoothly thus far. Love you all!

The StaceNeedle said...

I'm so happy you posted! I've been checking every day! You guys are never far from my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for posting so much detail. It just helps to know how he's doing and that the sugeries were so miraculous. He truly is your miracle baby! I love him already and can't wait to meet him! Love you cousin!

Reynolds Rundown said...

Linzie, Thank you so much for posting! I am sure you grow weary of talking about it, but I am grateful to hear updates. All of you are in our prayers morning and night. Thank you for your example and your faith--Jared's testimony was beautiful on Sunday. Keep us all posted as you can!

Britanie said...

Jared and Linzie, what an amazing little boy you have! And he is so lucky to have a wonderful family supporting him. It's good to hear that the surgery was successfull on so many levels. We will keep you in our prayers!

bentanelle said...

We are glad he's here! He looks great despite all that is happening to him. We will keep you all in our prayers especially Liam, and pray that everything works out for the best for him. Can't wait to hear the newest updates and to hear of his accomplishments and progression. Love you guys.

Kim said...

I'm so glad everything is going well. He is so beautiful and he is so lucky to have such a wonderful and caring Mother and Father. Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything.

West Family said...

Congratulations! He is beautiful, thank you for sharing his story with all of us. It is amazing what a miracle these sweet babies are. Good luck with everything.

The Parks said...

We want you guys to know that you have been in our thoughts and prayers. He is so beautiful. Congratulations. Hearing everything that they have been able to do for him is amazing. The Lord sent you a true miracle. I am so happy you posted this blog.

Victoria said...

Congrats Linzie, Liam is beautiful.I am thinking of you and your family.