Sean has a great deal happen to him in his life, but he is truly a miracle boy and a gift from God. He was diagnosed with a birth defect called CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia) at 33 weeks, and at that time we were told not to expect him to live to even be born, let alone to have any time with us outside a hospital. This birth defect happens when the abdominal organs grow in the chest instead of where they belong, as a result of a hole somewhere in the diaphragm. Thankfully the Drs were wrong, and Sean was not only born alive, but was out of the hospital in just under 2 months, as compared with the 6 month minimum that we were told after he survived the surgery and came off the ventilator. Granted, he was on Oxygen for nearly 10 months, but his lungs grew so that now the drs cant tell the difference between his lungs and those of a "normal" baby.

He came very close to losing his life when he was 3 1/2 months old. As a result of the CDH his intestines were badly kinked and turned gangrene. He lost 40% of his small bowel, the ileocecal valve, and several inches of his large bowel and an ileostomy (poop pouch) was placed though his intestines were reattached 6 months later. This loss resulted in somthing called short gut syndrome, and he has trouble with absorption of nutrition from his intestines. He also is not able to tolerate much in the way of feeds into his gastro intestinal system, and is on TPN (total parenteral nutrition... fed via an IV line into his heart).

All together Sean has had 9 surgeries and 20 weeks in the hospital since his birth in January of 1997, and though there have been some very scary times, those are few compared to the incredible joy we have from this child. He is a truly awesome miracle. He acts like any normal 2 year old (other than eating which he does not do at all... literally!). He climbs on the furniture, runs around with his big brothers, talks, laughs, is learning all sorts of new things each and every day. And of course, like any 2 year old, his favorite thing to do is say NO! Some people may wonder why we put him through so much, but to be honest, when I see that incredible smile on his face, how could I do anything differently. I couldnt, what I have in my life and in my home is a blessing, and you dont say no to Gods miracles.

If you want to read more about Seans story a more complete version is on the Gallery page... along with photos!