A Small Corner

When I was born, I was blue. Of course I was blue, I’m a boy. Well, that’s not really why. I was blue because I had a little problem. The doctors thought my lungs were just underdeveloped so they put this crazy mask on my face to help me breathe better.  Little did they know the real problem was in my heart.

On the third day after my birthday, one smart nurse did an echocardiogram of my heart and she noticed that something didn’t look right. The Cardiologist confirmed that two of the arteries in my heart were a little mixed up. Backwards. Well, what can I say. I’m a little special. I’m not like all the other kids. The doctors decided that it would be best to set me straight by doing a little procedure called an “arterial switch”. All I wanted to do was hang out with my brother and be with my mom and dad, but that would have to wait. I was transferred to CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) where I had my first heart surgery at only 3 days old, and my second surgery a week later. My family was all worried and prayed over me a lot. I didn’t really know what all the fuss was about. My angels were watching over me so I knew I’d be just fine.

My mom, dad, and brother Eli visited me in the hospital often. They held me, changed me, fed me, cried over me and took lots of pictures. My grandparents and aunts and uncles visited me too. My nurses were really great. They were at my every beckoned call. I wasn’t too fond of all the needles they stuck in me or the wires they hooked up all over me too but they said it was so they could monitor all my vital signs. I guess they wanted to make sure my heart wouldn’t stop or something silly like that. They finally let me go home a week later and I was able to spend Christmas with my family. My brother and I received lots of presents from family and friends. I felt so spoiled.

The day after Christmas I didn’t feel so good. My tummy hurt and I didn’t feel like eating. My mom and dad were real worried about me so they decided to take me to the emergency room at CHOC. I guess it was a good thing that they did since it turned out to be more than a tummy ache. The doctors said it was an intestinal infection. They weren’t sure what caused it but they wouldn’t let me go home until it was all better. Two weeks passed until they finally figured out that I had a narrowing in my intestines that needed to be corrected with surgery. So again, I went under the knife. They called the procedure a Resectioning of the Intestines. They also took out my appendix while they were in there…they said I didn’t really need it. I was in the hospital for 4 weeks before they finally let me go home.

Adjusting to life at home was difficult since I couldn’t take my nurses home with me. My mom and dad aren’t as quick to run to my bedside when I cry, but they try. They’re on the clock 24/7 whereas my nurses only worked 10 hour shifts…so I guess I’ll give them a break. My parents say I whine too much but that’s just because I’m used to being waited on hand and foot. I’m happy to be home. I love playing with my brother and swinging in our swings. I’m about 2 lbs lighter than my brother, but I’ll catch up to him soon enough. I’m eating a lot and doing all my baby exercises (kicking my feet vigorously every chance I get). I enjoy smiling, staring at myself in the mirror, and attempting to talk. It’s not easy but I’m practicing a lot. I’ve also recently discovered my hands and enjoy staring at them and trying to fit them in my mouth. Good times.

If I had to describe myself, I’d say that I’m a morning person. My friends call me Noley, Nolers, and Noley-Bob. My parents said my middle name was named after my paternal great grandfather Robert McIntosh and my maternal great grandfather Robert “Bob” Benthien. I have two really cool scars on my chest; one vertical down the center and one horizontal right above my belly button. Can’t wait to show them off to the ladies.