Cole's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)

My son was born with CDH on the right side. We had no idea of his condition until he was born. I was 9 1/2 centimeters dilated when my OB rushed me in for an emergency C-section. When he came out we didn’t hear him cry and that was when we knew something was seriously wrong. A plan was made to have him flown to John's Hopkins All Children's hospital.

When he got there Dr.Kays was waiting for his arrival. I got discharged from Oak Hill Hospital the next day and drove to JHACH. That's when I found out about my son’s CDH. After visiting with Cole for a little bit, I had to leave to go home and get some things. It was at that moment that my fiance and I got a very frightening call.

It was Dr. Smithers telling us that our son was having a hard time breathing and to get back to the hospital as quickly as we could. We raced back terrified the entire time. When we got back Dr. Kays just sitting there in my son’s room watching his stats. It was comforting n reassuring to know that Dr. Kays was doing everything in his power to help my son. We appreciated that we cared so much and I knew my son was safe in his hands! That night my son went on ECMO and was on ECMO for 7 days.

During his time on ECMO, Dr. Kays did his repair surgery and got everything back where it should be. I may have brought my son into this world, but Dr. Kays gave him life! I will forever be eternally grateful for each and every doctor, nurse, therapist, etc. that helped my son. He spent 3 month at John's Hopkins All Children's Hospital!

Cole Wayne Hegwood II is now 5 months old. Happy, healthy, and a CDH Warrior!