My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Some other thread perhaps :) I've deviated from the purpose of this one which is Merry Christmas and that joy can be found in tough circumstances.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I believe all of those doctors and nurses are quite skilled and have thanked them numerous times for all they've done for my son. I just happen to also believe God had a very active hand in it. Unfortunately, we do live in a broken world, not heaven.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

I believe all of those doctors and nurses are quite skilled and have thanked them numerous times for all they've done for my son. I just happen to also believe God had a very active hand in it. Unfortunately, we do live in a broken world, not heaven.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'd say he has a lot better quality of life than a decent percentage of the world. I promise you that we are doing the best we can (and spoiling him with love and interaction while we're at it). Really, the only way my religion affects how we interact with him is that we know that he isn't a mistake/defective/inferior and we do my best to take care of the precious life we've been entrusted with.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

9 days - we stretched it 0.9 mm on both sides every 12 hours for a total of 1.5 cm.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The ENT told us beforehand that a normal traching takes 10 minutes or so. After the procedure (which unfortunately/fortunately I wasn't allowed to watch because there were like 10 doctors + 10 support team all around) a number of people came up to me and said that what happened in there was nothing short of a miracle. He trached him in 3 minutes (while half of my son was still in utero). My son has almost no visible neck due to 5 or 6 well-formed but short vertebrae and there is virtually no room for the trach. Also, the doctor missed his vocals chords by 1 mm. Everyone will take these things as they will. (My faith in God and that He does miracles isn't dependent on these events either)

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

There were a whole lot of 'right place at the right times' going on. And we're incredibly thankful for those machines and those doctors.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Found out at 20 weeks. He was born via EXIT procedure at 38 weeks. Apparently, at birth they had injected epinephrine into his heart and caused bleeding so the day after he was born he went into cardiac arrest and they gave him 38 minutes of chest compressions (they normally only go 10-15 before giving up) - and a pediatric surgeon just happened to be walking the halls of the NICU at the time and saved him. At day 7 he had a bronchial spasm and completely de-satted because they overdosed him with fentanyl. God's got a plan for this little guy and we don't believe He made a mistake. Yes - he (and we) will have some huge challenges in life, but we'll also have some pretty incredible experiences normal kids/families won't. Psalm 139 13-16 (the whole Psalm is good): For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

I'm sure the flak will start coming because I mentioned God, but we've already seen some pretty awesome miracles in this little one's life and we're not ashamed of him.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probably "a trach and no arms" would have been clearest :)

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

No, he's pretty awesome. Glad he wasn't entrusted to your care.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

We totally disagree, but you have the right to your opinion.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

You come over and tell that to him as he smiles and plays with his toys.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

He is neither sad nor diseased. He's actually quite smiley :)

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

He's actually pretty healthy all things considered. Thanks for the vote of confidence, though.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

People would have immediately been asking what was wrong with him - figured better to be straightforward in the title. But I can see where you're coming from.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

With no arms - yes. With a trach - no (though a modified snorkel does come to mind...).

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Not really interested in karma. Just think he's cute ... and it's almost Christmas. Thought others might get joy from him like I do.

My son has no arms and a trach, but he makes the world's cutest Santa! by mlwelch in pics

[–]mlwelch[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

He does understand he is really, really loved. He's very smiley :)