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This is where we are going to tell you our stories, and share Adam's journey with you. ADAM'S DIAGNOSES "HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME" HAPPY MOTHERS DAY "MOMMY  A
 
1 month old 2 to 3 months old   4 months and 5 months old   6 months old Dr. Gulecyuz Adam's Cardiologist and Nurse Julie   7 Months old Happy Halloween 2007  Happy Thanksgiving!! 2007 8 months old   9 months old, Adam's 1st Christmas Adam and Santa MERRY CHRISTMAS 2007   10 months old 11 months old 
HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY ADAM!!! March 15th, 2008 *Note: In HLHS, the left side of the heart including the Aorta, Aortic Valve, Left Ventricle and the Mitral Valve are underdeveloped. A parent has three options when facing HLHS: 1. Let the babie die 2. Heart Transplant 3. 3 phase surgery over 3 years. The Norwood Procedure The Bi-Directional Glen Procedure The Fontan Procedure HLHS is considered to be one of the worst congenital heart defects. There is no cure for HLHS. *Advancements in surgeries and medicines mean that our children have a chance at life.* Nearly twice as many babies dies from congenital heart defects each from all childhood cancers combined.  Where do I begin, well lets say the day We found out about the pregnancy, it was on a Saturday back in July 2006, and my husband was at work, I felt a bit weird and had the feeling that something different was going on with my body "my husband will laugh at this, what I meant to say I was very crabby", so I went to get a pregnancy test. Well that day when I took the test and two lines showed I couldn't believe my eyes, I just couldn't believe it and the emotions were just so overwhelming, and how was I going to tell my husband, because I knew he wouldn't believe me either, only because we had been trying to get pregnant for a while. So then I confirmed the pregnancy by blood work, and this is where the journeys began. The antipication was just wonderful, we had our first ultrasound and our son just looked beautiful, and we were told that our little guy was stubbarn which we laughed at and made the jokes "so I wonder who is like that" , then we went in for our second ultrasound and we really wanted to know the sex of the baby, while we where in the office for at least an hour, our little guy didn't want to show us his manly hood, in just he thought that he would sit in the womb with his legs crossed and the umbilical cord between the legs. That didn't stop us, we decided to have anouther ultrasound 4 weeks later in November, and at that ultrasound we were told that our little guy was going to be a boy. However at that point things started to go astray, and without knowledge our little boy had detetected Cardio abnormalties. As the time passed we still where not aware of that situation, we were never told by our doctor(s), so I believed our little one was tring to tell me something. I had started to get the braxton hicks contractions, and lower sharp pains begining of December, so I called the doctor to schedule another appointment, and during the last appointment the doctor suggested to schedule another ultrasound to be sure that everything was going smoothly. We were prior to that told at each doctors appointment that development and the health of the baby looked good and there was and should be no complications. So at the final Ultrasound, "The" technition, whom we had the whole time seemed must nicer to us and was very informant about our baby's organs, but just didn't tell us anything nor showed us his heart, at that point she had anouther technition come in and then they must have taken atleast 12 pictures of our babys heart. Later that night; John, Alexcis and I went to the doctors office, for a doctors appointment, before that appointment we were so happy, we heard the heart beat, then shortly after that it felt as if the walls where begining to cave in, and then we were told that during our last ultrasound done earlier that day, it showed that our baby had a heart defect, which was diagnosed as what they call: "HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME". Both my husband and I looked at each other, and I could just see his expression "what was that?". I myself didn't know what to think, I was so confused, how could my baby for 28 weeks be so normal, then all of a sudden I am told the worst. That night my husband and I came home, and looked on the internet, and read about this condition, auh we were so devestated after what we read. I was in tears for a week straight and my husband as well was not himself. We both didn't understand that how our son could have been diagnosed with such a fatal defect. Later that week we met with Dr. Taylor, a perinalogist that did our level II ultrasound, during that ultrasound he confirmed our baby's condition, and at that point our leads of information just kept getting worse, and we couldn't believe this. We were told that there was a chance that our son's heart could be fixed, but it was going to be complex. Then we were told that in situations where this defect is present, it would be very common that other abnormality would be present as well, and the first thing the doctor mentioned was Downs Syndrome. We were shocked, every single day of the pregnancy had been perfect and we had only been told positive things. My husband and I had doubts to the downs syndrome defect, that day we went home and prepared for the worst. Shortly after that appointment, we met with a cardio specialist named Dr. Gulecyuz, during our meeting with that doctor we had learned alot about our baby's heart condition> We learned it was a Hypoplastic left ventrical, at this point we had grieved and became prepared to hear the worst, but in all actuallities of it, Dr. gulecyuz had & still has alot of hope for our son, and told us all, but good things, to add: Adam's heart looked stable to go through birth, and stable enough to handle the heart medicine that he will be giving, His ASD, was open and that is very positive. This to Adam, means that he will be able to stay alive for at least a week after birth, on his own that is. If he did not develope this ASD, he would not be able to breath and surgery has to be done immediatly. Most children that has been exposed to this rush surgery has not survived. In Adams case he will be able to be put on heart medicine and stabilized before surgery can begin.
| Adam's birthdate and pictures HERE COMES THE BIGG DAY!! Midnight March 15, 2007 inducing will begin. Adam is HERE!! born March 15th, 2007 Time: 11:50 AM Wght: 7lbs 8oz 3418 grms hgt: 20 in 52cm 
ADAM and mommy minutes from being born. Timeline: March 15th, 2007 Adam is transported to Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago. 5 hours after being born. during Adam´s transport: went very well he did not need oxgen, and did not need a blood transfusion. Adam was very stable. And his Sats were good. Which is very important to Adam. Plus he injoyed his ride. 20 minutes after Adam's ride I received a telephone call in my hospital room from the transport team to give me this information. Daddy then followed to Children's, there John met with a cardologist, which made told John that Adam looked great, that his kidneys and lungs were good, and that he was concerned about one thing, that was that Adam has more hair then Daddy.. other then that they advised John to come back to me, at the hospital, and assured Adam was in good hands. March 16th, 2007 I am released from Alexian Brothers @12:00pm, then driven to children's memorial chicago, to reunite with Adam. This day, I was able to touch Adam for 10 minutes then he was placed under an Oxgen tent to decrease the amount of air he is intaking, they had to do this because his lungs were flooding with blood, and his Ox2 sats were in the high 90's to 100. This day we were told that Adam's surgery will take place on tuesday March 20th. March 19th,2007 ADAM'S BIG DAY 1st of the surgeries "NORWOOD and SANO SHUNT" surgery starts 8:30am every 1 hour to a 1/2, we were updated. 1st update was the confirmation of the heart condition,which is the Hyploplastic Left heart. then we were told that sadation went well and he fell asleep easy. then they were going to put in the ventilator, and check all other vitals. 2nd update was that every thing is going real well, and that they were about to make the insion and cut open his chest. 3rd update he had the SANO SHUNT done and all went well and that then they were going to then finish up on the rerouting of heart. 4th update all is going real well for Adam and no complications, and that they were done preforming the open heart surgery and now he will be weined off of the heart and Lung machine, the nurse advised that this will take a bit of time, for then the heart will start beating on its own. 5th update all went very well for Adam and he did really well weining off of the heart and lung machine and that we will be able to see him shortly. 5:30pm our name is called and we will get to see ADAM. In the PICU unit. Adam looked really good, however he had so many machines hooked up to him and had an IV in every arm, foot and in his leg. as well is chest was open, but they had bandages on it, He also was on life support which was the ventilator to help him breathe. he was really puffy. But He looked great and that we are so proud of our son. March 21st, 2007 Adam needed a blood transfusion. which will be his second one. He needed this transfusion to help him bring his blood gases up and help to function his kidneys, and to also replenish alot of blood missed during his surgery. Adam is doing great and still on the ventilator. March 22nd, 2007 A BIG DAY FOR ADAM he had his chest closed at bedside. Dr. Backer was the surgeon who closed the chest up. Adam had 17 staples. Dr. Backer mentioned that the 1st 18 hours are crutial and it could be a 50/50 chance that he may need his chest reopened. And they would do this if he was still holding in fluid. Adam is doing really well at one point his heart beats at 149, breathing at 20, Blood pressure 79/52. Adam is still sadated and still on the ventilaor and paraledic meds. March 23, 2007 Today Adam had a slight set back, his sats are low at 69-70 when he should be in the 80's. Adam will have anouther blood transfusion. As well this is also a big day for Adam, he will be weined off of the paraledic med so that he can start to wake up. March 24th, 2007 TODAY ADAM OPENED HIS EYES!!!! what a great day for Adam, he is doing fabulous as Dr. Goodman would say. Today also Adam will be weined slowly from the ventilator, so that he can start to take breathes above what the machine is doing for him. He will also start to be weined from pain meds. and other drips. Adam's heart beats at 142, sats 79, blood pressure 89/61. Looks good for Adam. March 25th, 2007 Adam had anouther slight set back high blood pressure was higher then it should be, and they had to adjust some pain drips and other meds. However today is a good day for Adam he is getting his rest. March 26th, 2007 GOOD DAY FOR ADAM!!! the ventilator and chest tubes are removed, ADAM is doing fabulous.. his eyes are opened and he is able to hold our fingers. however his voice is very horse. and he is placed on a med to help bring the inflamation down in his airway. March 27th, 2007 Adam will get to finally eat today!!!, we attempted to bottle feed and Adam did really well, however he is still a tad bit weak, so he had to have anouther tube put in his nose, and that is the feeding tube. March 30th, 2007 Adam is doing so well that he is moved from the PICU to the 5th flood which is the cardio floor and this meens that Adam will be able to come home real soon. April 1st, 2007 ADAM GETS TO GO HOME!!! WE ARE FINALLY HOME....... RECENT UPDATE as of April 11th, 2007 Adam is doing really well at home, he is eating from the bottle, I was able to take his NG feeding tube out, he is taking his medication very well orally, he had all of his 17 staples remove and the stitches on his leg. His sats hve been 80 to 90, and likes to sat around 83 to 84. He is really enjoying being home. However still limited on the visitors. Adam also had his first doctors apo with Dr. Han. Adam did get Thrush on his tongue and has to have med for that, but for only 10 days. Adam did gain weight, he is weighing in at 8 LBS and 2oz, he did grow too he his now 21 1/2 inches. We are just all in cloud nine. Please stay tuned Adam's first Cardiologist APO will be May 3rd, 2007 with Dr. Gulecyuz. SORRY THAT I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN A WHILE SOME TECHNICAL DIFFUCLTIEs. SO HERE IS WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON. ________________________________________ ADAM IS DOING GREAT. weighing in as of July 27th, 2007 14.00 lbs, 6.33oz he is 26 inches long. ____________________________ We have been to our cardiologist Dr. Gulecyuz a few times since Adam's Norwood and Sano shunt procedure. Adam's Heart is OK per what they are wanting. He has great pulses, his Sano shunt is looking good. Back in May 2007 we did have a hospital stay for 5 days, during that time Adam went in and had his first cardio cath done to see his heart funtions and detremine why he started to desat into the 60's. They found that his heart looked great, and his shunt is wide open, and hius aorta is very large, "which is very good". They also discovered that his Aorta is pressing on his right pulminary artery which maybe causing his lowered sats, so the doctors determined that adam is put on Oxygen. So we went home on the Oxygen and it is helping him he is back up into the upper 80's were he should be. We did recently discover that he has a mild leaky tricuspid valve. Which per Dr. Gulecyuz this is common with single ventricles. Adam is ready for his second stage surgary. So please stay tuned for updates. Adam is starting to talk alot "baby talk that is" he smiles at everyone and adores that attention he gets. We started to feed Adam at 4 1/2 months baby cereal, he isn't to fond of that yet. We will keep trying. Other then that we are injoying our summer.. WE WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE YOU SOON.. _____________________________________________ Sept. 18th, 2007 Adam turned 6 months old this month weighing in at 16lbs. __________________________________________ As of date above Adam is doing Great!! He has had his 1st Cardio APO on Sept 13th, since the Bi-Directional Glenn. Per Dr. G his Cardiologist Adam is doing really well, on a hearts stand point. Since Adam has been home he is learning and doing so much more, that day to day it is a new thing. He is lovin his bouncy chair, and has started to eat baby foods, he isn't so fond of Prunes though, and loves Bananas. He is starting to babble more and, enjoys standing with support. We are continuing to do our walks everyday. Please enjoy some of our newest pictures, it has been a wild summer so far... Until now we will update again soon. Most likely after Adam's next cardio APO October 23rd. However I will update Pictures Bi-weekly. Thank you all for your Love and Support. The Brodersen Family! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Up to Birth Information on the progress of the baby. 28 weeks pregnant January 2, 2007 found out about baby's heart condition Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, (HLHS) . baby's heartbeats at 140 January 3rd,2007 went to level II ultrasound met with Dr. Taylor and confirmed baby's heart condtion. January 5th,2007 met baby's cardiologist Dr. Gulecyuz, had anouther level II ultrasound and confirmed that baby's heart condition is a Hypolplastic left heart. and founf out more information that baby will need open heart surgaries called the norwooed proceedure. 29 weeks pregnant January 9th,2007 Met with Dr. Winkelman OBGYN, discussed issue of the heart defect. Baby's heartbeats 140. 30 weeks pregnant January 15th,2007 Met with Dr. Forcier OBGYN, general prenatal check-up. Put on bedrest due to complications, and the fact that baby has to stay in the womb up to 38 weeks. January 18th, 2007 last day of work, on bed rest. : ) January 19th,2007 Scheduled to meet with Dr. Backer at children's memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL. The surgoen that will preform Adam's heart surguries "The Norwood proceedure., had to reschedule, Doctor had to do a heart transplant. 31 weeks pregnant January 23rd, 2007 Met with Dr. Backer at children's memorial hospital, Chicago, IL. Dr. discussed the surgary and its complications. Doctor stressed that the first months of birth and after the surgary will be the most crucial time for our son Adam. Which he will be on alot of medicines and will need to be watched 24 hour a day. In hospital and at home. He will be crucial up to his 2nd surgary. January 25th,2007 Met with Dr. Gulecyuz, cardio specialist at Ewards Hospital, Naperville, IL. Dr. says that Adam's left shunt was now not working and the left ventricle had shut down, as he requested would happen in an earlier visit. Said that everything else looked go and growing as scheduled, he said that Adam has a good amount of blood flowing through his right side of his heart, and his ASD valve is still open, and the left arota is measured at 2.4 mm which will make that stable for his first surgary. Dr. said that the baby is looking good. 32 weeks pregnant January 29th, 2007 Met with Erin Nurse practioner at the OBGYN office. just a general check up, during this visit they had found a low level of protein in my urine, which in many words they will be monitoring the protein. with our hopes that this will not lead to pre calmsia. But at this point I am on full bedrest, and having to drink alot of water. Baby's heatbeats 130. 35 weeks pregnant Feburary 12th, 2007 Met with Dr. Forcier OBGYN, just a basic routine check up. babys heat beat 152. Feburary 13th, 2007 Met with the cardio specialist for a final ultrasound, we are told everything looks ok, John's dad came with us. and that Adam's cardio functions looked good, and her will be stable for delivery. Good news. 36 weeks pregnant Feburary 19th, 2007 Met with Dr. Pozzi, OBGYN. had a formal check up, and My cervix is starting to soften to the touch. Which meens it could be any day, or weeks now. other then that babys heart beat 140. Feburary 20th, 2007 Went on a tour of the hospital labor and delivery, and met with a neotolgist, that will be monitoring our little guy. They gave us a briefing on what will happen after birth, and that our little guy will be taken right away and placed on heart meds, to keep his ASD valve open, and he may be on a breathing tube. Then probably 2 hours after birth he will be Air lifted to childrens Memorial, Chicago. However I have to stay in the hospital for recovery, but John will be going to Children's to watch after the little man. 37 weeks pregnant Feburary 26th 2007 met with Dr. Forcier OBGYN, normal check-up cervix is soft. Baby's heart beats 140. Today I started to go and have the non-stress tests done, to monitor the baby movements and heart beats. It is a half hour test, and today it went really well. His NST looked great. 38 weeks pregnant March 5th, 2007 met with Dr. Forcier OBGYN, Cervix still soft. Baby's Heart beats 146. Today we discussed Plans for next weeks birth, Dr. Foricer mentioned that if my cervix is not "ripe", we will hold off a few more days, before inducing. However he did mention the arrangements. My next visit with him is on the 14th of March. Most likely that night we will be going to the Hospital to start the labor inducing. We are planning on a birthday of March 15th 2007. Also today I had anouther non-stress test done to monitor the baby, and his NST was looking very good, and during the test I had one contraction. 39 weeks pregnant March 12th, 2007 Had non-stress test at the hospital, Adam's NST scores looked good. and he was a bit active. March 14th, 2007 met with Dr. Forcier, Adam's heartbeats 140. I am dialated 1 1/12 cm. And the cervix is soft. Dr. Forcier said that we are at a go! to deliver the baby, he wanted me to come in tonight at 6:00 pm, to start inducing. However I planned to arrive the Hospital at midnight, "Insurance reasons". SO ADAM'S BIG DAY IS ARRIVING..." just to note doctor mentioned that the baby is big, and might be a 8 pounder." March 15th, 2007 ADAM'S BIG DAY!!! we will keep you posted. |
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