Benefit Post for Children's Hospital
Monday, December 14, 2009 at 9:00AM 
Chase was born on a chilly December day, 2 years ago next week. Within hours of his birth, he began seizing. We were expecting a healthy, full-term baby, and what we got was far from that. It sent a shockwave through my entire system - my newborn baby was fighting for his life.
You can find bits of Chase's story throughout my blog:
NICU: First 24 Hours (sadly never blogged the following days...)
The Update Post
Share Your Story for Children's Hospital of Alabama
The Cement Roof
The summary:
It was soon discovered Chase was seizing from extra blood on the brain (a grade 3 or 4 bleed), the pressure caused seizures, and his bleed was severe. Unsure of how to treat him, the local hospital put Chase on seizure medication, intubated him (as the medication surpressed his breathing to the point where he could no longer do it unassisted) and placed him under "do not stiumlate" protocol.
For me, this meant that I could only look at my hours-old son. No touching. No talking. Absolutely nothing except prayer from a distance.
Because Chase's condition was so incredibly rare (we are talking in the one in several million range) for a full-term and otherwise healthy baby, he was soon taken via helicopter to Children's Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham.
It was there I felt Chase had a chance.
He was removed from his "no stimulation" orders, placed on less medication, eventually extubated, and a few days later, Chase had an angiogram to find a "cause". His nurses were amazing. Everyone understood our situation, tried to be as accomidating as possible (it was Christmas and we were from out-of-town), guided us through difficult decisions and made extra efforts to respect our wishes.
In short, Children's Hospital saved Chase's life.
The level of medical care combined with their compassion and experience far beyond that of a "regular" hospital became the perfect combination.
The aftercare we've receieved has been amazing. Nurses on call for any issue, quick response time during problematic episodes and speedy appointments with specialists.
Chase has managed to absorb all of the blood without ever being shunted. He has no (known) neurological damage. He is developing completely "normal". We are stunned.
So to benefit Children's Hospital of Alabama, Michael and I have decided to raise a little cash. We are opening comments for the day and each comment made on this post will equal 10 cents. (Sadly, I've turned on the capcha due to bots on this site, silly bots). You can leave as many as you'd like. Also, you can retweet this (Twitter.com):
Benefit post for @ChildrensALA from @themomjob. Each RT earns 10 cents. http://themomjob.net
If you'd like to donate to Children's Hospital with your money (hehehe), I have added a "Donations" PayPal Button in the right column near the top of this page.
Thanks to BirmminghamMommy.com for featuring this benefit post! And obviously, thank you to Children's Hospital for our amazing son, Chase.
Reader Comments (64)
Woo Hoo! We're so excited for today and for your super sweet way to honor Children's Hospital! (Jamie)
Awesome story! We spent a two night in Children's a couple of years ago after my then 13MO had a seizure. The staff was so good to us, so accomodating. I will never forget our time there! Thank you for doing such a wonderful thing!
Leaving Love
Amanda...You know my heart when it comes to Children's Hospital because it's the exact same as yours! I'm absolutely in love with Children's Hospital of Alabama and their staff! Thank you so much on behalf of all NICU mommies (in particular) for posting this awesome opportunity for people to give back to this GREAT facility! I even sent the NICU a Christmas Card this year and they will continue to be on our Christmas Card address list from now on! I feel, as I am sure you do too, that they are family. (I mean, seriously! we practically LIVED there for almost 3 months!) So, this post just makes me love you and your family even more! Ya'll are blessed to have the means to do something like this! Merry Christmas!!
Great thing you're doing! Glad everything is now ok with your cute little boy!
I can't help but love the fact that there are people out there who pour their heart out for these children. They truly are a Godsend.
Such a great cause LOVE IT
What a great cause!!
Wow what a story!
what a blessing!
YAY for Chase! And YAY for his Panda Cupcakes ;-D
Great story!
He is such a cutie! I can't belive he is already 2!
Awesome Cause! leaving love!
Hi from Birminghammommy! We think this is the most awesome thing yet!
hmmm- how many comments would be concidered obnoxious since you said there was no limit on comments? ;-)
I'm stuck on bed rest again to prevent my own special trip to C.H. NICU and I can be quite persistent! lol
Incredible story!
Thankful to have not visited Children's, and thankful it is there for those in need!
Hopping over from MckMama's blog. Glad to get to know Chase's story. When exactly was Chase born? I tried to find it on your blog but I didn't see an exact date. My birthday's the 20th that's why Im curious.
Well 18 years earlier anyways.
Happy Birthday Chase
Leaving another big hug!
Wow what a story! I can also say that Childrens has been there for us so they hold a special place in may heart for taking care of my sweet angel during her surgeries and unexpected trip that landed us there for a week...
Leaving another little comment nugget of thanks!
Yay for Children's!
My Nephew was in the NICU for the first 3 months of his life, so I can understand how terrified you were hun. But you have a beautiful boy (Panda obsession and all lol) so here is my comment and I will tweet as well.
love you!
~Pkitten
Great Story.