The Cadena Family

Scroll down to see updates as the Cadena family progresses in their CDH Journey! (All updates are written and given by parents with consent)

Initial Backstory

My name is Ava and I am a single, mom-to-be, pregnant with mo-di twins, whom initially was encouraged to terminate my pregnancy due to each of my babies having separate complications. With only a 10% chance of survival rate initially given but not wanting to give up, I pursued further genetic testing and a “take one day at a time approach” we started to defeat the odds with each day.  Eventually this led us to a necessary relocation from San Antonio to Houston to continue to get the care we needed. 

Today I am 27 weeks. Baby B is my left-sided, moderate to severe CDH baby while Baby A has separate complications with velementous cord insertion resulting in her being smaller in size than Baby B. Due to the complexities of my pregnancy, our team had us move at 24 weeks gestation for closer monitoring and in anticipation of an early delivery and will have us remain here due to prematurity and Baby B needing surgery to correct her CDH. Because of this complicated pregnancy and delivery my estimated stay is 5 1/2 months, perhaps longer, depending on how Baby B does after birth and surgery/ recovery. We have faith in our medical team and their knowledge and experience and know we are in the best hands possible. 

Our faith continues to lift us and give us confidence that we will eventually bring home two healthy baby girls whom will one day share the story of how through the power of prayer and the will to survive anything is possible.

12/22/2025

I will be admitted to the hospital on the 28th of December until the twins are born due to vasa previa and high risk of pre term labor. Both babies are growing, but there is a bit more amniotic fluid in Eileen’s sac due to her CDH. We were told their weights three weeks ago were 2.6lbs and 2lbs, Jude being the smaller baby. The doctors are hoping they can make it to at least 36 weeks, and I am 30 weeks on Christmas Day.

1/23/2026

I had my c-section January 21st due to increased frequency of my contractions. Both babies had to be admitted to NICU, Jude was intubated as well as Eileen. Today, Jude got off her CPAP machine and started breathing room air, also bottle feeding and exploring the breast. Her sister, Eileen, was placed on ECMO last night due to low oxygen levels from CDH diagnosis. They did her surgery today and said she tolerated really well, repaired her diaphragm and CPAM of the left lung. The CPAM had fused with the organs that migrated into the chest cavity from the diaphragm, which had a very small amount of tissue. She will get completely stitched up within a week, and depending on how she recovers, will tell us how long she’ll need to continue on ECMO. She’s still at risk for internal bleeding due to blood thinners necessary for ECMO.

3/1/2026

Babies are still in the NICU at 38 weeks and 5 days, but slowly are getting closer to reaching their milestones. Judith got diagnosed with NEC on top of struggling with feeding, so she is back in an enclosed isolette with discontinued feeds as of now. Eileen is recovering from her surgeries well but still on oxygen support and will be slowly leaned off high flow oxygen to a less intense form of oxygen supply. She was finally taken off pain relief and sedation meds so to see her move around and be alert is a huge relief. As well as her not being intubated anymore, I was finally able to hear her cry and able to hold her. I have so much love for these girls and although we have a long road ahead, I can’t wait for this to just be a story to tell them when they are older.