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This is
Mari and Dan Hammel
marisan@q.com
Dubuque,
IA
USA
Our
journey began when I was 18 weeks pregnant with Dominic. We went in for a
regular ultra-sound and were told he had a large Cystic Hygroma. We had no idea
what this all meant and we were immediately sent to the University of Iowa
Children's Hospital almost 2 hours from home. We were scheduled for a level 4
ultra sound. At this ultra sound we were informed that the Cystic Hygroma was
very large. It went completely around Dominic's neck, out past his shoulders
and down on to his chest. They also saw fluid around his heart, ASD, VSD and
the left ventricle of his heart was larger than the right. At this time we were
informed that there was absolutely no chance of survival and we were advised to
terminate the pregnancy. This was not even an option for us. The Doctor's
seemed shocked by our decision, and told us the baby would die, we would have to
be induced and go through labor anyway. We also requested to meet with a
Neonatologist. The neonatologist stated he had seen Cystic Hygromas reduce but
he had never seen one this large reduce. He said if he did make it to a live
birth there was little chance of survival after birth. Since we decided to
continue the pregnancy regardless of the outcome we were scheduled for weekly
heart rate checks and a follow up at the Children's Hospital 10 weeks later. I
went home and prayed a lot, I also did visualization in which I would visualize
the Cyst shrinking. Every week I went in for the heart rate check scared to
death, but every week I heard a strong steady heart beat. We went to the
Children's Hospital 10 weeks later and the Cyst had reduced to a cm on each side
of Dominic's neck. The Dr. (the same one who advised termination) looked at us
and said "you are a miracle"! We continued with many Doctor's appointments
through out the remainder of the pregnancy including ENT, and Cardiology. We
decided we wanted to have Dominic Delivered in Iowa City at the Children's
Hospital. Dominic John Gabriel Hammel was born on June 24, 2002. He was born 5
weeks premature with no sign of the Cystic Hygroma aside from extra skin on his
neck, and no sign of any of the heart issues. He went through all kind of
testing for the typical NS issues but other then slight respiratory immaturity
he was given a clean bill of health. He remained in the Hospital for 3 weeks to
mature his lungs and then home. Since his birth Dominic has for the most part
been healthy. Dominic has always been small, but has continued to grow
consistently. He has had OT, PT and Speech for minor issues. When Dominic was
2 years old we participated in the Harvard University Study with Dr. Amy
Roberts. She confirmed the clinical diagnoses of NS. Dominic has tested
negative for all of the genes currently located for NS. Dominic was also
diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve with some thickening in 2006. He will be
followed for this annually. Dominic entered Kindergarten this year and
developmentally is on track. He is the class clown and all the students love
him. He is a spunky little boy with a genuine love of life. I couldn't imagine
life with out him. Our Noonie's may not follow the norm and may do things a
little different but they find success in they're own ways.
Mari
"Worry looks around, sorry
looks back, Faith looks up."
    
Dominic 3 months Dominic 6 months Dominic 2
years Dominic 5 years The Hammel's 2007
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