Blank Children's Hospital
Gavin
Gavin entered the world weighing only two pounds five ounces. He was born at a mere 27 weeks-over three months before his due date-at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and was taken immediately to the Blank Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
"Everyone in the NICU was absolutely wonderful," says Gavin's mom Bridie. "Ruth and Kim were Gavin's primary nurses, and they were amazing. They took care of me and my husband Chad just as much as they took care of Gavin."
As Gavin grew, nurses started to notice that he seemed to have a lot of discomfort after eating. When reflux medication didn't work, doctors ordered a full scan of his gastrointestinal track. At only 2-months old, Gavin had to drink a barium solution and have his stomach and intestines x-rayed as the fluid moved through his system. Test results showed Gavin's entire stomach was twisted and sitting upside down in his abdomen, an apparent defect that happened during his development in his mother's womb. His condition could only be corrected with surgery. Not operating would risk the stomach continuing to twist and cutting off blood supply to his intestines.
"Chad and I were terrified of the surgery," says Bridie. "But the staff did a wonderful job explaining the surgery to us ahead of time and why it was necessary."
Normally, the type of surgery Gavin needed would have required an extensive procedure that included cutting open his abdomen and leaving him on a ventilator and pain medication for a least a week. Instead, at only 6 ½ pounds, Gavin was the first infant at Blank Children's to have this surgery performed laparoscopically.
Dr. Michael Irish, pediatric surgeon, performed the procedure using small incisions in Gavin's abdomen to insert thin, flexible fiberoptic equipment. While controlling the equipment with joysticks and watching a computer monitor, Dr. Irish completed the procedure, despite the surprise discovery that Gavin's intestines were also twisted and upside down, in addition to his stomach.
"Dr. Irish was even able to get Gavin off the ventilator before he even left the operating room," says Bridie. "In our eyes, that made him our hero! Thanks to Dr. Irish, Gavin was able to come home only one week after his surgery."
"The Blank Children's staff became an extension of our family," says Bridie. "Our experience there was six years ago, but even so, when we go back to visit, the staff still recognizes us! Going to Blank Children's feels like going home. They are just amazing! I could never say enough good things!"