Smiles n Hugs

Sitting here with his dog bingo, Cole is a three year old twin that was born three months premature. He was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux, for which Cole received "fundoplication" surgery. After receiving the surgery Cole went months without a cyanotic attack. Only to develop a hernia on his diaphragm. Cole was once again rushed to the emergency room when he stopped breathing. Surgery was refused at that time to repair the dihragmatic hernia.

No one could understand the symptoms Cole was experiencing and he never had an episode in front of Health workers so his symptons confused them. That all changed when Cole was captured on home video having not one, but four different "retching" episodes. Cole was placed in PICU's immediate care once due to the video. Cole has had to deal with alot of stress along with severe cold symptoms and surgery being postponed due to colds.

Cole waited 18 days before he could receive the surgery. Surgery went well, little to no improvement was made for his condition. He still had his breath stealing attacks.Cole has gone through many tests to try and diagnosis the ailment that plague him. In October 2004 during another hospital stay for the stomach flu, Doctors witnessed first hand the distress that Cole was going through. This was the first time they had seen the attacks this young boy through.However, they are still unable to diagnose what is truly the reason for Cole's attacks.

Cole has undergone a total of four surgeries . All of them thus far have not succesful. His illness is a puzzle to all the doctors hes been to see thus far and if it werent for an amazing Jack Russell Terrier his mom would be still going with out sleep today. This amazing NSD (National Service Trained Dog) alerts Coles mom when he stops breathing and she can get to him quickly and help him breathe.

Cole is a typical little boy in many ways. Likeing cars and trucks and arguing his siblings Eric his twin, and his older sister Kaela. Please send smiley mail to Cole and his family.

smiley