Cameron, our sweet boy, was born December 2001. He was full term and I had a smooth pregnancy. The Dr. did see what seemed to be a small knot on his umbilical cord. This didn’t seem to be a concern at the time. We were not expecting anything unusual to occur during the delivery process. We went to the hospital with great anticipation and joy. I was in labor about 2 1/2 hours. Things began to go horribly wrong. Cameron’s heart rate suddenly dropped to almost nothing and we realized that he was not getting enough oxygen. He was in a transverse position and the cord was around his neck. An emergency C-section was preformed. The small knot turned out to be an omphalocele. Cameron had low Apgar scores and a skull fracture. Surgery was performed immediately. Cameron spent two weeks in NICU and then we went home believing things would be okay.
As our baby boy began to grow and reach for things. He would only grab, roll, reach with one side of his body. Call it Mother’s intuition, if you will. I went to Dr’s letting them know something seemed wrong. Babies use both hands, right. Many Dr.’s would say give him time.
It was raining the morning we heard the word stroke. The MRI was staring at us in the face. The Dr. was saying this and that. All I heard was STROKE. Can infants have those? His stroke was on his left side, his right hand, arm and wrist are weaker/tighter. His right leg is slightly affected. His eye sight is affected as well and he has learning differences.
We started OT, ST and PT and ECI. Each day he amazed us more and more. He was our Hero with so much courage. We also knew when to cut back on therapy and PPCD. Playing, interacting with peers and letting him grow is so important.
Many children that have a stroke at birth will have seizures. Cameron is on medication for seizures. He will be on medication for a long time. He is such a trooper and truly a gift.
I found groups on the internet to help me with the ups and down of childhood stroke. CHASA, HEMI KIDS list and Kids Have Strokes helped me so much. Reading what other parents have gone through, emotions, happiness, milestones and just loving our children, helped in so many ways. We started a webpage for Cameron. Childhood Stroke Awareness became very important to us. http://www.freewebs.com/cameronscourage/
At almost 7 years old, Cameron loves drawing, sports, playing with his younger brother. He has so many friends and wonderful since of humor. We are so delighted to see his progress. Watching him develop at his own pace is a gift from God. Each child is unique and will blossom at different times. HE is a happy child and that is what we always wanted/want for him. We are thankful everyday he made it through his difficult birth experience, to hold him, play with him and hear him laugh. Both my boys bring us so much love, joy and laughter.
He is truly amazing!
Paige and Kurt
Cameron RH, Seizures and Evan