Since last month we have had alot of mails from people all over the world via Immie's site and thought I'd post a few to look at. This is exactly why we set the site up originally, not to get a pat on the back but to share experiences and give advice where possible. Some we get are sad but most are following more positive experiences after the birth of a CDH baby.We're really chuffed to get letters from people who were born with it and tell us of the great things they achieve.
Hello,
My names Natasha, I'm 24 I was born like Imogen. I was given a 50% chance of living. My doctor says I was put on this earth to do something special, I fought all odds, other than getting short of breath I've always been able to do the same as my friends. I'd like to hear more about Imogen.
I've never known of anyone being born with this type of hernia. Normally they either operate while the child is in the womb or within 48 hours of delivery. My mum had a gut feeling something wasn't right with me when she took me home. Instead of dirtying nappies I was being sick. Within the first week of me being born my mum took me to our GP. He told her "she was an over protective mother with me being her first born, if anything it might be colic". She wasn't happy with the diagnosis so took me back to the GP this time he told her it was beacuse she smoked while I was in the womb. Mum took me elsewhere, the doctor there knew something was wrong. I was six weeks old before they found the hernia. From there I was rushed to Pendlebury hospital in Manchester. I was in there for six weeks. I was left with a shadow on my left lung. I've been having some trouble with my stomach recently they dont think it has anything to do with how I was born but they have to rule that out. I'm currently having some tests. I'll keep you posted on that. If theres anything else that you'd like to know please ask. Take care,
Natasha xx
Hi Barry and Lindsey
Your website and the story of Imogen's birth has really inspired and encouraged us as we are going through some of the things which you have experienced. My wife Toni and I are expecting our first child and at the 20 week scan wewere told that our little boy has a right sided diaphragmatic hernia. We are surrounded by the best fetal medicine experts here in New Zealand and we know they will do all that they can. So we have quite a bit more of the journey to go to find out if our little boy Ethan will make it, but we just want to know that your story has inspired people on the other side of the world here in New Zealand. Yours was a true story about a real family like us and doesn'tjust talk about survival rates and percentages! We hope your little girl enjoys a full life and that you continue to inspire many other people around the world with your story. You can keep up to datewith our progress on our website:http://www.driller.co.nz/blog/?p=78
Marcus and Toni Driller
Auckland New Zealand
Thanks for your email – things seem to be going okay recently and we are really just at the stage of wait and see at the moment, but we are feeling pretty peaceful about it all. Glad to hear that Imogen is being weaned off the heart medicine!Take care
Marcus, Toni (and Ethan!)
Baz - As I said at the top of the page, there are some positive comments coming through. I will post some more soon. If anyone wants to messages passing or questions asking to the above, send them to me and I'll forward them. However, the above mails from the Driller family in NZ have a website to follow Ethan's progress. Have a look and say a prayer for them.
See you shortly!
Baz
