At twenty weeks gestation, we found out we were going to have a boy! And, that he was going to be born with Spina Bifida. Garrett was born on August 31st, 2008 weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces, and measuring 19 inches long. He has brown hair and big brown eyes. He spent eight days in the NICU while we were waiting to see if he would need a VP shunt - he did - and allowing some time for his back to heal after surgery. We were home for nine days before Garrett went into respitory distress. We rushed him to the ER. We found out that Garrett had a paralyzed vocal cord and could not protect his airway. He was going to need a feeding tube. After three unsuccessful attempts to extubate him, we found out he was going to need a trach. After six weeks in the PICU, we were able to take our baby boy home again! We have a wonderful nursing agency that worked hard to pull the nursing staff together to get us out of the hospital as soon as the doctors gave us the OK. We have been home since then, and Garrett is doing well! We are very hopeful that the trach and feeding tube will be temporary for him.
