I can’t begin to tell you how joyful I am to be online today, thanking you for the miracle you made happen. Baby Dorje is alive, he’s a beautiful, healthy baby boy, who completely beat all the odds. I have no doubt it was solely due to prayers that this baby is home today. So we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this life you have helped to bring to this world.
So here’s the story.
We got to the hospital on Monday, and about 2 hours before the surgery was scheduled, one of the doctors came to us to ask about death rituals and how much resuscitation we wanted. He told us that as the baby had less than 10% chance of survival, we had to be prepared.
Regardless of this, we stayed strong and I went to the operating room with a hopeful heart. Everything depended on how Nathan reacted as soon as he came out of the womb. The doctors didn’t expect him to be able to breathe on his own, or to have normal functions.
So you can imagine my joy when I heard Owen say, “Oh my God, there’s his head!”…and seconds later…WAHHHHHHHHHHH. I don’t know who was crying louder, Nathan, Owen or me.
Everything baby Dorje has done so far has surpassed all expectations. One of the doctors at UCLA came to us yesterday and said, “You do realize that only 3% of these babies survive the transition from the womb to the world.” And even after they survive, they are not expected to be able to do other things, such as feed, regulate their temperature, etc.
Nathan has passed every single test so far with flying colors, including his vision, hearing, and lots of other blood tests. He feeds like a champ, knew how to suckle from the first moment he was given to me, and has had no health problems at all so far.
He is, however, still diagnosed with developmental problems in his brain….Where the brain should’ve split into 2 hemispheres, it only partially formed, so some structures are missing and he is expected to have developmental delays.
However, with everything he’s done so far, we wouldn’t be shocked if he surprised us in this regard too!
The doctors believe that with lots of stimuli, physical therapy and early intervention, Nathan can have a normal life with an adult life span. He has done so well that now they’re expecting surprises. What’s unbelievable is that the initial prognosis was that, even if he survived, they didn’t expect him to be able to do things like walk or talk.
We have a lot of work ahead of us. Already we have contacted the Regional Center and have started the process of getting a team of doctors ready to help treat Nathan. We were told by the neonatologist and by a neurologist that the sooner we interfere and start stimulating the development of his brain, the better his chances will be.
Although the doctors call it a surprise…I call it a miracle, the result of amazing people with good hearts who have been praying for him and sending him so much love.
I wish I could thank each of you personally, hug you, and tell you how much your prayers and support have meant. Since I can’t, I ask you to imagine a big hug from all 3 of us: Owen, Nathan and Marcela.
This precious little boy wouldn’t be in this world if it weren’t for your prayers and support – THANK YOU.
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