| Hunter Allen Moss was born November 10th 1999, after a
very normal pregnancy. The only complication that I had was during labor I
had pre-eclampsia (High blood pressure). So there for I don’t really
remember much about my labor I was on a lot of medication to get the blood
pressure down. But I do remember some time after he was born that the
doctors had brought me into see my baby boy. But I was so out of it that I
passed out in the wheel chair. That was when they were getting ready to
transport him by helicopter to Blank Children’s hospital in Des Moines. I
had to stay back at the hospital where he was born for 3 days before I
could go and see him. It was terrible I didn’t understand too much at
first due to the medication they gave me. But the next morning I was
beside myself. Just didn’t understand what was going on with him. The
nurses came in and had explained to me that Hunter wasn’t able to breathe
on his own and he was taken to Blank children’s hospital where I could go
see him now since I was ok.
All the way to Des Moines I was so nervous but excited to finally see
my baby. We arrived at the hospital and they said the doctors wanted to
talk with me. That is when they told me that Hunter has apert syndrome. I
didn’t know what that was or what that meant but I really just wanted to
go and see my son. The first impression was so scared!! He had so many
things going on. I couldn’t hold him. I couldn’t make much noise around
him. He spent about a month there. Learning how to breathe on his own,
learning how to suck from a bottle, learning how to eat, all these things
he had to do before I could take him home. I will never forget when I got
to hold him for the first time. He fought like a champ and next thing I
know we are on are way home. After staying in a hospital waiting room I
was ready to be home. Hunter has had all of his hands surgery done. He has
five fingers on both hands. His first hand surgery was done in St.Louis,
Mo. With Dr. Cheng. Then the rest was done at Iowa City. He has had ear
tubes in both ears since he was born. He also had a hydrocele surgery
done. But other then his hands and ears he hasn’t had any other major
surgerys. Hunter has all kinds of allergy troubles and has some asthma
issues.
Hunter started out with some in home AEA working on things with him. He
got PT, OT, and Speech services. They worked with him up until he was able
to go to Pre-Kindergarten. Once they enter the school system then it all
changes. He still receives all of those same services but though the
school. He has an aide with him through most of the day.
Hunter is a happy little boy. He loves Elmo, race cars, food, and the
local PBS kid’s channel. Nothing better to him then watching a race on
Sunday afternoons.
Hunter has been a blessing to me and my family. He has taught me so
much about life. So I guess the only advice that I can give here is to
love you child for who they are. Thank you so much to Cat and Don and
Teeter for creating a place and a group for all of us to talk. This has
helped me out so much and it has taught me a lot!! If anybody wants to
talk or has questions email me at
[email protected].
God Bless each and every one of you and your child!!
Kristin and Hunter |
