Our Sweet "Heart": The Past Eight Months in Pictures

Sunday, September 9, 2012

The Past Eight Months in Pictures

It is sad that it has been more than eight months since I updated this blog.

We are still trying to find our rhythm after moving and having a new baby this year.

Maddox continues to make steps forward and backward in the crazy dance that is his life.

One thing is for sure. This kid has a personality.

I am trying to recognize the little, sweet moments with him -and each of my kids- and take note.

There have been quite a few little ones in the heart community who have finished their earthly missions in the past few months.

My heart has broken each time I read about the struggles and grief of the many families who

are part of this special group.

They inspire me to not miss the little moments of life.

I look at Maddox and my heart is full.

2 comments:

thepainterfamilySeptember 10, 2012 at 9:07 AM
so sweet alissa.

i am still laughing about shopping cart nap (with his lightsaber no less)

You can totally tell by these photos...the kid DOES have personality :)

xo
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MargieSeptember 24, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Love that little guy so much! You are so good with him and the others, Alissa. You and Jeff are wonderful parents and we love you all!
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Maddox Revere Dixon

Welcome to our story of modern day miracles. We have seen first hand the wonders of our Heavenly Father and have been joined with people all over in earnest prayer for a baby boy... our Miracle Maddox.

Maddox was diagnosed prenatally with Aortic Stenosis and Mitral Regurgitation. We found out at 27 weeks gestational age that he had a congenital heart defect. By 29 weeks he was in heart failure and had developed hydrops(fluid under the skin, in his abdomen, and around his heart). The plan was to deliver him at 30 weeks via c-section and after birth attempt to get him stable enough to try to open up his aortic valve. We were also given the option of doing nothing and delivering vaginally once he had passed away, which they thought would be soon. The doctors gave him a less than 1% chance of survival if we tried to intervene. We started planning his funeral. The week we were scheduled to have the c-section we were given the option of flying out to Boston to do a fetal intervention where they would essentially operate on Maddox in the womb. The doctors in Boston weren't even sure that Maddox would be alive once we got off the plane. Two days later we had the fetal intervention where they ballooned open the aortic valve, put a stent in the atrial septum as well as a hole above the stent, and removed some of the fluid in Maddox's belly. Maddox was the 9th baby with his unique heart condition to have undergone this type of intervention. It was successful, and Maddox was delivered at 37 weeks in Boston, where he underwent open heart surgery at 3 weeks of age. At two months of age Maddox came home to Texas. We are now trying to adjust to the new normal: multiple weekly doctors' visits, g-tube feeds, medications administered throughout the day, insurance claims, and including our three other children in the care of their amazing little brother. What an adventure. More surgery is in the Mad-man's future, but he has a future, and for that we will be forever grateful.