Audrey's Arrival

Audrey Joy joined our family Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 9:38 a.m. weighing in at 7 lbs. 12 oz. with a length of 20 inches ♥ She was born with cystic hygroma hemangiomas on her neck and face.  They were on the right and left side of her neck and crossed over the mid-region on her neck.  She also had cysts in her cheeks and inside her mouth.  We found out about her condition when I was towards the end of my pregnancy in a routine ultrasound.  I had additional ultrasounds and a fetal MRI to confirm her condition and to see how severe her condition was.  I was able to give birth at home in Elkhart, IN at Elkhart General Hospital.  However, after her birth, the neonatologist did an exam and decided to have her transferred to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, IN.  She spent about one week in the NICU so the doctors could determine what kind of treatments would be best for her and when the first ones would need to take place.  This is when we first learned about sclerotherapy  (injections into the cysts) and possible surgery options (last resort).  The doctors felt she was stable enough for us to take home and our home pediatrician watched over her closely.  The Riley doctors wanted her to grow a little bigger before they started the first treatments.

Audrey Ryanne Joy Foster