Welcome! My name is Mechelle, I am the wife of
Tim Holt, and the mother of Chelsea (5 years) and Courtney ( 9 months).
Courtney has Apert Syndrome. She was born June 3, 1998. We
live in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Tim and I got pregnant on the Norplant (with a year left
before it was to expire). During our pregnancy I experienced a hemorrhage beside her. The cause was not known, nor was it worried about by
two different doctors. We ha 8 ultrasounds in which nothing was detected.
The blood test that "was suppose to come back positive" ( due to the hemorrhage)
came back negative for any birth defects.
Due to premature contractions, I left work in February
1998. I was in labor for 13 hours and 24 minutes. She was born
weighing 7lbs. 3ozs. She was 21 3/4 inches long. She wasn't breathing,
she was in distress. After Tim cut the cord, she was hooked up to blow
by oxygen. They took her out of the room immediately, I had no clue
as to what was going on. The only thing I had been able to see was her
hands, and they were fused. At 2pm, I got to see her for the second
brief time. The hospital transported her to another hospital at 2pm.
I was finally released at 7pm, to go and be admitted to the hospital she
was in. On June 4th, a geneticist came in and said "We think Courtney
has Apert Syndrome, and she also has a cleft palate. We had no clue
as to what either one of these terms meant. So, we were given some
educational material to look at. She had DNA testing done.
Which came back positive for Apert.
After taking a CPR, and Apnea monitor class, learning
how to feed her through a cleft palate bottle, and 11 days in NICU we were
allowed to bring our baby home.
Courtney was born with type one hands. Her index, ring,
and
middle fingers were all fused. Her pinky fingers were webbed.
As of this date, we have had three surgeries. One cranial and two
hand, which consisted of tubes in her ears. We are so thankful to have
found Teeter's page! It has been a wealth of knowledge for us. We
thought we were alone!
Chelsea and Courtney
Christmas 1998 |
Courtney
Christmas 1998 |
Before Surgery
June 1999 |
Courtney, June 3
reading her birthday card |
June 30, 1999
day of operation |
July 3, 1999
Bi-canthel post-op |
Courtney enjoying her toy
after bi-canthel advancement |
Courtney
3 days post-op |
Courtney & Mechelle (Mom)
Taking a train ride with Tim (Dad) and Chelsea |
This page was updated December 1, 2000
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