Cade had his 9 month visit with the Pediatrician yesterday. He is doing great. His weight is starting to level off and he is now back on the charts. He weighs 24.8 pounds which puts him in the 95 percentile. He is the 97 percentile on height at 30.3 inches. He is a big boy. His check-up went well. He is up to speed developmentally. He is crawling and has two bottom teeth right now. The two top teeth are on the way too. He does still have some issues with blocked tear ducts so the Pediatrician referred us to an Ophthalmologist. He said it is an easy fix, not too big of a deal. He will have a visit at Children's in a few weeks to visit the Pulmonalogist. That will likely be a 1-2 time a year visit just to check up on him. I will post the results of that visit in the future. Thank you for keeping up with Cade's progress. We truly appreciate you.

I know we are long past time for an update on Cade's health, so here goes. He is one healthy little chunky monkey. His weight was off the charts at his last pediatrician appointment in April. He weighed in at 22.15 pounds and his height was in the 97 percentile. He is growing so fast that we can't ever seem to buy him the right size of clothes. Just as soon as he gets a new outfit he's outgrown it by the time we take the tags off. He is wearing 18 month old clothes (he's just 31 weeks) and is already starting to bulge out of them. His next appointment with the pediatrician will be in July as well as an appointment with Pulmonary at Children's. He will likely visit Pulmonary a few times a year for now, but Cardiology told us that he doesn't need to come in for a visit with them for 5 more years. What a blessing!!! His only issue right now is wheezing. They gave us a inhaler to use on a as needed basis. His little lungs are still trying to catch up so hopefully his air passage ways will also mature with time and eliminate his shortness of breath. Overall, he looks great and is just as happy as he can be. He loves his dogs and going for walks.. We are so blessed. It is easy to forget that he had a rough start with him doing so well today. Thank you again for your continued interest and prayers.

Our little Cade is going to be 11 weeks old this Wednesday. He is growing so fast. At his last Doctor visit, Thursday, he weighed 13.1 pounds. He is in the 75 percentile on weight and the 75-90 percentile on height.

Since the last update he has visited his Pediatrician, a Pulmonologist and had a Synagist shot. Both were very pleased with his progress. The Pulmonologist did put him on a reflux medication though. She said that while she wouldn't always prescribe medication to all of her patients for reflux she wants to make sure that we don't give Cade's lungs any extra complications. The x-rays all show that his lungs are growing, but are still not as mature as a normal baby his age. We are told that is to be expected and should be very happy with how good they look. The Synagist shot he is getting is to help prevent him from getting a virus called RSV. This virus can be extremely dangerous to newborns and sometimes even fatal. The shot helps protect him and lessen the severity of the virus should he get it. They also suggested that we keep him indoors and away from other children until the early Spring (after cold and flu season). With the exception of Doctor visits, he is only outside of our home when he is at his favorite place. He loves to visit Granddanny and Gigi's house. He smiles and bounces around every time we pull in the driveway. Regardless of how his reflux is bothering him, he is so joyous when his grandparents hold him.

We are so blessed this year and are excited to see what God has in store for us in 2009. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

In the last few days Cade has had several doctors appointments. He had an appointment at Children's in Dallas where he had x-rays, an EKG and an eco-cardiogram done. All came back fine. His heart is almost completely in place and his lungs are growing as well as can be expected. The cardiologist is very pleased with his progress and thinks he looks great. She did tell us that he has a slight heart murmur. She is not that concerned with it at this time, but she will do another eco-cardiogram in March to check on it again. He also went to the pulmonologist. They gave him a synergist shot. This shot will be given to him every month until April. It is to help him deal with RSV (a horrible virus that could hospitalize a small child) if he were to ever get it.

He is growing so fast, already over 10 pounds! We thank you for your prayers and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

So sorry it has taken so long since the last update. Mom and Dad have had their hands full between feedings and diaper changes. Cade's Mimi (Rob's Mom), traveled from Oregon to come and meet her new miracle grandbaby. She was here all week and we were sad to see her go. Cade enjoyed her so much and we were so appreciative for the extra set of helping hands.

Cade is doing so well and growing and changing everyday. He had a pediatrician visit this past Tuesday which revealed our little man is now 9 pounds 9 ounces. He has a follow up appointment at Childrens this week to do another eco-cardiogram to make sure his heart is looking good. He seems no different than any other 5 week old. He has some trouble with gasiness from time to time which causes him discomfort, but other than that he is a healthy baby boy. Thanks to all of you wonderful prayer warriors, God has so graciously blessed our child.

Enjoy the new pictures of Cade. Megan went back to work at the clubhouse on Saturday (She works just 2 days a week for a little break). Plus she works at the community clubhouse so she is a stones-throw away.

What does dad do while babysitting? He takes pictures of course. Enjoy the newest pictures!

It's unbelievable, Cade has been home for almost one week now! He is doing great. He eats ALOT and sleeps well too.

During the first return visit with the surgeon on Thursday, we discovered that he could possibly have a hernia which is potential for another surgery. The Dr. said that it could also be a hydrocele which would not require surgery but needs to be monitored. A hydrocele can go away on it's own after several months to a couple of years. Please continue to pray for Cade and his little body. We all want to see him completely happy, healthy and comfortable. By the way, each time we go to any Doctors office we always hear what a miracle little Cade is. We hear how it's a real rarity to find a CDH baby who does so well. Of course then we let everyone know that Cade was prayed for by hundreds and all of the Glory belongs to God. We are humbled and blessed beyond reason.

Hallelujah! Cade was discharged from the hospital on Friday afternoon!

The Cardiologists and Pulmonolgists got together and decided that the difference in results between the last two echo-cardiograms were so drastic because the first test was done while Cade was still under sedation. He didn't need another test before going home but will have one done in a couple of weeks.

Cade is home and doing fantastic! He sleeps well, eats well and seems to be very happy in his new environment. We are SOOOO thankful and happy for all of your prayers and support and KNOW that we are extremely blessed!

For babies who survive CDH, they say that the average NICU stay is 45 days. Cade was discharged on day 16.

Please don't stop praying for Cade just because he was able to come home. He will have several follow-up appointments to which will be posted on here. I will also be posting more pics and several videos.

Nope. Unfortunately Megan and I are sitting at home while our little guy is in the CCN tonight.

We had all of our discharge paper work taken care of, the nurses said their goodbyes, we were schooled on his home-care and ready to pack up and introduce Cade to the outside world...... Then she came in. A Pulmonologist who we had never met... and who didn't know anything about us. She came into the room to look-at and talk about Cade. Apparently she didn't do any research because she came in talking about a baby girl. I thought that she was in the wrong room.

To make a long story short, she said that she looked over the echo-cardiogram results... The first test was just okay, and she may consider letting him go home if the results were still the same. However the second test (which was done 4 or 5 days ago) showed results that were not good; at least not good enough for him to be going home.

Another thing that she started telling us was that CDH babies have to come back in for several check-ups and that they tend to have issues..... and yadda, yadda, yadda... This was a lady who didn't know anything about Cade other than the fact that his paperwork read "CDH" on it. Of course when she was telling us all of that Megan began to get scared of what the future holds for Cade. It's amazing how a few words from a single person can destroy a positive day filled with happy thoughts. I am not blaming this doctor, although it may sound that way. Her job is to look out for Cade and that is what she was doing. I just wish that some people would have a little more bedside manner.

My question was, "We have had these results for the past several days and all we have heard is that everything looks okay. Even after asking about the echo results particularly. Why now, as we are basically packing up the car does someone come in and tell us that things are actually not okay and that Cade will not be going anywhere tonight?"

Needless to say, tonight was certainly frustrating. Please pray that Cade will be able to have another Echo early Friday morning and that the results are perfect so he can come home before the weekend. If the echo doesn't happen Friday morning, chances are it will not happen over the weekend either. Megan and I are completely exhausted. I feel like Cade has become exhausted as well as he seemed to be more irritated over the past 2 days. Lord please give us strength.

Thanks for stopping by CadeVanderArk.com to see the updates! I am heading to the hospital this afternoon to get some pictures and an update on his release from the hospital!

He no longer has any tubes or stickers (other than a couple of band-aids) anywhere on his body so I am excited to take a few pictures to post on here. I should have an update and new pictures by midnight tonight for you all to check out!.... Stay tuned!

(12:00am)

Megan is staying with Cade tonight in a private room in the CCN. If all goes well Cade will be discharged on Thursday sometime. An update will come Thursday afternoon or evening. As I visited Cade tonight he liked the camera but didn't want to open his eyes. Don't worry, I will get plenty of him with his eyes open soon. For now, enjoy the pics.

Today Cade was upgraded to the CCN level meaning that he no longer needs intensive care. He will stay one more night in ICU but should be moved to the regular nursery on Tuesday. All of the remaining tubes and wires will be removed at that time as well. He will stay in the CCN for as long as he needs in order to learn how to stay awake while eating. He is having a hard time staying awake for a full meal and when he falls asleep, he's a bugar to wake up. They would like him to eat all of his meals in their entirity for one full day before they send him home.

Hallelujah that these are the issues we are dealing with considering the alternatives. Less than 14 days in the NICU for a baby with CDH is unheard of.

Continue to watch for updates daily on this website. We will continue to post progress entrys and photos. We also have video footage throughout this whole process that will be posted. Cade has been an ultimate blessing for us and all of your prayers and generosity have been positively overwhelming.

The Doctors are not certain on the severity of his lung disease at this point but there is a high possibilty that he will at least have asthma. This all according to a worldy view of course. We have witnessed the power of prayer and I hope that you will agree with us as we continue to pray for baby Cade. When I pray for ultimate healing, that removes all notion that there "could be" asthma or digestive issues or whatever else they choose to say about Cade's future. Remember, not once in the scriptures does the Lord deny someone of healing when they ask in faith. I will continue to stand on truth.

Gone with the oxygen tube that Cade has been wearing since birth. He is breathing the same air that we breathe now. It worries me a little bit because he does alot of yawning. I just hope that he is getting enough oxygen to his little brain.

He was a bit cranky today because he is not having the easiest time eating all of his food. He constantly falls asleep while he eats. It's a deep sleep to the point that he really doesn't want to wake up. The nurse ended up shoving a line down his throat so that they can finish filling up his belly after he quits eating. He hates the line going up his nose and down his throat because it makes him cough, cringe and sneeze often. We as parents don't like it either, but if that's what it takes to get him completely healthy we just have to deal with it.

We got to deal with a little spit up and diarrhea today praise God!.... That kind of means that everything is working correctly right?

Thanks for your continued prayers and we look forward to bring Cade home with us soon!

Cade is doing so great! Today we spent about 10 hours with our little champion. He got the IV out of his right hand and the splint off of his arm so he feels like dancing. He's moving around alot and stretching out, yawning and making little noises. He is eating well and sleeping even better. He loves to be held and usually opens his eyes to see just whose arms he's in. We couldn't ask for quicker improvement. Your prayers are certainly working and we just continue to pray that he will be completely healed and be able to come home with mommy and daddy soon. His timeframe is still uncertain but could be another 2 weeks realistically if there are no setbacks.

Today was a wonderful day for Cade and the family. When we arrived his oxygen level had been weened to 23 which means that he is breathing near room air. He moved up to a big-boy bed because he longer needs the heater. His new bed is a steel crib and daddy tried hard to explain to him that he should not be getting used to being behind metal bars... that it wasn't a good place to be. Overall he was rested up and ready to be held.

Today was the first time to try breastfeeding and he did great. Cade doesn't like the pacifier and has never even had a drink from a bottle. After feeding through an IV and then through a tube down his throat for more than a week we all thought he might have a difficult time learning to eat. God created momma and baby to have that immediate bond and it was like Cade had already read the book on mother-nature's feeding. It was a great experience for both mom and son.

We can't wait to see Cade tomorrow! It was such a happy day to see him doing so well and to not be fussy at all. Keep the prayers coming! If Cade continues to improve like this he could be home in a few short weeks!

Today Cade started to eat a little bit. He was fed by tube at noon and then again at 4pm. He was rather upset between feedings as if his tummy and intestines were having a hard time digesting. We tried just about everything to comfort him but he wasn't quite satisfied until he snuggled up to momma's heartbeat, skin to skin as she sang herself-written song entitled "Go to Sleep Little Mommy's Lamb". The words are simple but very effective. Here are the lyrics.

Go to sweep..... Go to sweep..... Wittle Mommy's Wamb.... Wittle Mommy's Wamb.... (And then repeat)

I happen to catch some of this lovely tune on video so be sure to check it out in the video section.

Uncle Jay visited for a while and was able to hold his nephew.

Daddy also got to hold Cade for several hours today. The nurses told us that we couldn't leave... that they would bring us food and drink for as long as he was comfortable. It was a heartwarming blessing for us as we really started to feel like parents today. He is so soft, warm and smells sooo good. Even after we leave we are able to smell him on our hands. Those of you who are parents probably remember that perfect smell of a newborn baby.... before the whole diaper thing comes into play that is... :)

Cade is a bit agitated with all of his tubes now that he is off sedation. The fluid is still collecting in his lungs and stomach however now they think that his suction tube might be to blame. Over the past two days, they have been sucking fluid out and have taken at least 10 ounces. Yesterday his right lung collapsed from the fluid. They believe that by repositioning him more often, his lung issue should start to resolve itself.

Today the suction tube and ambilical line will likely be removed. He is currently breathing at room air while still needing help from time to time. The plan is to remove the breathing tube today as well.

The Echocardiogram (heart test) was done yesterday but we have not seen the results yet.

For a CDH baby, we are told that Cade is doing well and the Dr's are pleased. However, Cade really doesn't like everything that is going on with all of the tubes, wires, stickers, needles and the other screaming babies in the room. Please pray that he will be able to relax and not cause any setbacks on himself. This is also a really hard time on mommy and daddy as we hate to see our son struggle.

Please continue to post on the guestbook. It is very good to read and encourages us that prayers are being spoken from all corners of the country. Megan is reading books and scriptures to him and we will add the guestbook comments today. Thanks so much!

(11:00pm)

Cade was taken off of the ventilator this afternoon which is a definite praise. His little body has not adjusted to this change as well as the Dr's had hoped for as he seems uncomfortable and tries to cry often.

Let me back up and tell it from my perspective... (This is Rob) I dropped Megan off at the hospital door so that she didn't have to walk so far to the NICU. I parked the car and jogged up to Cade's room quickly thinking that I might miss something special. After scrubbing in, I walked around the corner to room 301 where Cade was being rocked by his momma way back in the corner away from the other babies. I whispered the words, "Oh wow" as I briskly walked by the nurses. Megan was smiling but didn't look up to see me coming. Cade's hair was fluffy and his eyes were wide as he stared at his mommy. I got out my camera to find the battery totally dead. I reached for the video camera and was able to get a little bit of footage which I will post on here as soon as possible.

Before long I was able to hold my son. It was incredible! As he looked at me I introduced myself and told him that I was his daddy and that I waited a long time to hold him. Even though he turned a week old today, it felt like so much longer. We could tell that Cade loved being held. It was the first time either one of us had seen him without his breathing tube and with his eyes open. He looked like a different baby but just as beautiful as ever!

As much as I wish to say that he was ever-so comfortable and pleasant as I held him, that would be stretching the truth. He had his moments of peace and delight in his eyes but he also had his moments of discomfort and struggle. During his first week he never learned how to swallow on his own and at times he appeared to choke a little bit. Other times I watched the numbers on the machine drop terribly low from him not taking in an adequate amount of oxygen from the room air. These are scary things to watch and it makes a parent feel somewhat helpless. My heart broke after only the 3rd time telling him that everything was going to be okay.

(This is Megan) Today was a pleasant surprise. When I arrived at the NICU I was greeted by the nurse practitioner, Cherly, who had a big smile on her face.

She excitedly told me that Rob and I would be able to hold Cade. I quickly scrubbed in and made my way to our sweet baby. Being that I've always been a bit afraid of babies, I am so glad that Cade is a stout little man. He is just the right size. Holding him was an amazing feeling. I must admit however that it was also a little bittersweet. While it was a joy to have him in my arms, it was heartbreaking to watch him cry. I desperately wanted to be the comfort he needed, but sadly my voice and touch didn't seem to be enough. At times he acted so agitated and unhappy. I felt helpless and inadequate as he coughed and struggled. The nurse assured me that he was okay. She told me that he was having to adjust to breathing without his ventilator.

While I know that Cade is recovering well, it pains me to see him feeling less than perfect. I find comfort though in knowing that he is being cared for by such a great group of people. What Parkland Hospital may lack in atmosphere their staff makes up in heart. We have been blessed to have wonderful doctors and nurses that are pulling for Cade just as much as we are. I want you all to know that Rob and I are so grateful to all of you as well. We appreciate your words of encouragement, support and prayers. We know that God is listening and is diligently at work.

I am anxiously awaiting my visit with Cade tomorrow. I pray that he is more calm and relaxed. He really seems to like being read to and it delights me to see him rest peacefully. I believe tomorrow will be a better day.

The sedation meds were removed around 8am this morning so Cade will begin waking up today. His catheter was also removed so here come the wet diapers.

No decision on the fluids have been made yet. That will be discussed as the Dr.s do their rounds today.

Another echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) should be done today to check on a small aneurysm in the atrial septum of his heart.

(12:00pm Noon) No decision on the fluid in his lungs have been made yet. The ventilator needed to be moved back up to 40% after being as low as 21%.

Cade is taking enough breaths on his own, the only problem is that they are not deep breaths. 40% is still favorable although a slight regression from yesterday. If they can get this fluid thing figured out and remove him from the ventilator he will be able to start taking milk through a tube.

We spent a couple of hours with Cade this afternoon and will return this evening. He is doing well, however they noticed some fluid accumulation in his left lung. When we left they were beginning x-rays and will perform a few more test to determine how to fix it. It is a slight step backward but should be fixed without any complications.

We will write another update when we find out more.

Today we were taught how to massage him and we took several pictures. He seemed to really enjoy being rubbed by mommy and daddy. He wanted to open his eyes but it was just to bright in the room.

10-13-08 con't

There is still fluid accumulating in Cade's lungs and stomach. They have decided to wait until tomorrow to determine if they will try to draw the fluid out or see if Cade's body is able to do it on its own. He is rather uncomfortable which is difficult to watch. He was also moved out of the isolation room, which is a step in the right direction. He has a wonderful staff of nurses caring for him, but we miss the one on one attention he was getting in the isolation room. He seems to cringe when he hears his new roommates cry. Overall, he is still doing very well.

Cade is progressively getting better. He is still breathing over the ventilation machine. He is currently breathing at 75% on his own. His heart has shifted to the center of his chest and his lungs are expanding. Praise God for his love and mercy!.

Megan is discharged from the hospital.

Cade, still in the isolation room in the NICU is being weened off of oxygen support slowly. He is currently breathing at 60% on his own. His left lung is at 33% of normal size. His right lung is unmeasured do to his heart resting in the far right of his chest. His heart should shift over to the center of his chest on its own.

Rob and Megan say "Thank You Very Much" for all of your prayers, love and support. The food, cards, flowers and visits are all very much appreciated.

Cade went into surgery at 2pm at Children's Medical Center of Dallas. The surgery lasted aprox. 2.5 hours. The surgeons removed the spleen and all bowel from Cade's chest and lungs through the hole in his diaphragm. The diaphragm was corrected to deter anything from getting up into the chest cavity in the future. He returned to Parkland NICU after the surgery and has been strong and stable. What a great 31st birthday for daddy. Please continue to pray for Cade, the Dr's, Surgeons, Nurses, his lungs, heart and his fast and perfect recovery. All glory to God. Blessings to each of you.

Cade was born at 4:21PM, 7lbs, 8.4oz / 20.25"