|  4 pounds 16.5 inches |
About Rachel... | |
| Rachel was diagnosed with full Trisomy 18 the day after her birth. There were signs on the level II ultrasounds: large VSD (ventricular septal defect) and clenched fists (maybe more... we were informed of these two). Because of the timing (the level II u/s was performed @23 wks), no amnio was done to confirm the suspicion. None of the doctors prepared us for the possibility of a T18 baby. Rachel was induced @37.5 wks due to IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction). The induction went well and
she was born on August 4, 2003 @5:59PM weighing a little over 4lbs and about 16.5 inches.
A geneticist examined her the next day and informed us he was 99% certain Rachel is T18.
Blood test confirmed this diagnosis 2 days later. Besides T18, Rachel has a large VSD
with double outlet right ventricle. Other than that she currently has no other major physical problems. She has trouble sucking and swallowing and is being gavage fed through a NG (naso gastral) tube. At 6 months, Rachel was 8lbs...twice her birth weight. She battled her first illness, bronchitis turned into a nasty cold, just before her scheduled Gastrostomy (G-tube surgery). Other than that her major issues has been constipation, gas and spit ups. She's been on Lasix and Digoxin for her 7mm VSD since her 3rd month. She has excellent head control, tracks objects for a short period of time, loves to be kissed, loves music and dancing, loves bouncing, dislikes bath in general, but loves to have her hair washed. She started smiling at 5 months and smiles frequently when comfortable. Her bottom front teeth have started to come up. Rachel was born on the 7th day of the 7th month on the Chinese lunar calendar. The date of the annual meeting between The Cowherd and The Weaving Girl in Chinese Legends. |
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About the name... | |
| Rachel (orig. Hebrew) an ewe or lamb | |
| chosen because 2003 is year of the sheep in the Chinese lunar calendar | |
Haw
lovely | |
Cheng
clear, as in clear sky |
¡@