Welcome Friends!
Benji D.
South Dakota
Birth Date - February 19, 2007
Main Diagnosis - birth defects of his skeletal system, a heart defect
THEME: Cars
Biography
When we found out around twenty seven weeks into our pregnancy that Benji would have some kidney problems. It was alarming but we never imagined that we would have a child with so many life-threatening physical problems at the time of birth. Benji was born on Feburary 19th, 2007 in Vermillion, SD and upon birth was transferred to the NICU at Sanford in Sioux Falls, Sd- an hour away.
Shortly after birth we found out that he had no left kidney, that his intenstines were not fully formed, he had birth defects of his skeletal system, a heart defect, and that his right kidney was severely enlarged due to urine backing up. We have since found out that Benji was misdiagnosed prenatally and he actually should have had surgery in-utero. We were forewarned at the time of transfer to the NICU in Sioux Falls that Benji would have many more problems discovered as his body grew. Apparently we didn't fully understand that until now. Multiple surgeries later Benji is continuing to develop medical problems as he grows. He has required an ostomy due to anal atresia, transfusions for anemia, a ureterostomy to drain urine from his one kidney, gtubes and jtubes for nutrition and fluids as he will not eat, a port-a-cath for blood draws due to issues with venous access. Benji has now reached the point where we quit counting his hospitalizations.
Benji spends a great deal of time in the hospital due to infections. For all of the medical trauma that he has experienced he is turning into a charming little boy who appears to have great intelligence. He is behind in all areas except cognitive development.
Unfortunately, the baby who rarely ever cried has turned into a toddler who has many fears of the hospital, people in masks, and anyone who may look like they intend to poke him.
We've learned alot about Benji during the past year. We've also learned that parenting Benji is a whole different ball game compared to his brothers. His medical needs have tested our faith, our ability to be together as a family, and our finances.
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Once there click on the link "database" on the right to view the children and their patterns. Once you find a pattern that you want to stitch and have confirmed it is not already being stitched you may return to the sign up form, fill it in and submit it. If you have any questions about the yahoo group please email Cyberfogie@aol.com, Vicki, for further instructions (yahoo groups email only!) Thanks!
