The Moran Family

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

Update 6/4/24

At our 20 week anatomy scan we learned that our baby boy, Branson, was diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We then were transferred downtown Houston at CMHH and found out Branson’s case was a severe left sided case, and had less than a 50% survival rate. The doctors gave us an option to try and improve Branson’s survival rate close to 10% and may shorten his time in the hospital, called Feto Surgery. Between 27-29 weeks, they place a balloon into your unborn baby’s airways for several weeks and around 34 weeks they will go in and remove the balloon. But, there are several qualifications that needed to be done before you were approved for this surgery. Firstly, you had to have the amniocentesis done in order to know if there was any other genetic disorders. In order for the surgery, there has to be no other genetic issues. Secondly, you have to be within 30 minutes of the hospital, because with this surgery, there are risks you could go into labor early and would need to be closer since the balloon will be in the baby. After a couple of weeks of doing the amniocentesis, we were told that our genetic testings came back good. So, now we needed to figure out about relocating closer, so we moved from Onalaska Texas to Humble Texas. But, unfortunately Humble was 35 minutes from the hospital and with traffic it could cause us to be an hour away or more. My social worker gave us some options on places to stay, like the Ronald McDonald housing until the balloon is taken out. On May 29th, we went in for our Feto surgery and it’s been a week since I’ve had it done, now every week until the balloon is taking out we will have to see the doctor for improvement of Branson’s condition. I cannot be left alone for any reason and will need an adult with me at all times in case something happens. So, now me and my husband are both without work due to me not being able to be by myself, luckily I worked at a school, and still get paid until August, but my whole check is gone and going straight to our rent at our new place in Humble. So, we won’t have any other income coming in besides that. We are forever grateful for the financial grant from Eden Calhoun. This grant will help us pay for our groceries, and gas going back and forth to the doctor each week along with other bills and necessities that will be needed. 

Update 6/21/24

On Monday, June 17th, we came in for an update on our baby boy. They announced since the fetal balloon was placed on May 29th, his lungs has progressed from 23% to about 38%. 

We were just so excited and grateful for this and couldn’t wait to hear how much more it’s worked. 

Well, the doctors then wanted me to come in  Wednesday, the 19th for an MRI. I got my cervix checked and the doctors were concerned about how much my cervix has thinned so they admitted me into the hospital for further monitoring. The following morning, my cervix shortened a lot more than the previous day so they made the decision to go in and remove the fetal balloon so it wouldn’t be life threatening for Branson if he came early. After the balloon was removed they had informed me they wanted me to stay in the hospital until he came that way I was somewhere safe if I had gone into labor. 

So, here it is day 3 of being in the hospital and we’re all just hoping for the best outcome for our baby boy. They said he could come within 2 weeks or more, and we’re all just hoping he will cook a little longer since I am only 31 weeks. 

Please keep our family in your prayers, as it is very difficult being away from my daughter. 

Update 7/27/24

On July 1st, I started to cramp really bad and after a couple of ultrasounds, the doctors found out it was something leading to an infection from the fetal balloon removal. After consulting with the CDH medical team, they concluded it was time to induce me so that me and Branson would be okay due to the oncoming infection. 

Later that night I was induced and had Branson the next morning, July 2nd at 10:37 Am, with him weighing 4.7 pounds. His second day of life he was placed on ecmo and had his surgery on July 4th. 

He was on ecmo for 4 days and then started the healing process and everything started to fall into place and go as it should. But, after about a week he got diagnosed with Chylothorax and had to get 2 chest tubes placed in to help remove excess fluid. And had those for quite a while. Finally, it was time to remove the tubes because he wasn’t leaking large amounts of fluid anymore. 

His newborn screenings came back and showed that Branson could possibly have SCID, but his doctors believe it might be from the Chylothorax and sent off another testing to ensure if that’s what he has or not. Now, we’re just waiting on those results to come back in and he was transferred to another room where he has to be isolated from everyone just for precautionary incase it is SCID. Anytime we visit, we have to wear a suit, masks and gloves so that we aren’t bringing in any outside infections to him. 

Please continue keeping our baby boy in your thoughts and prayers as we are praying for the best outcome and hoping it’s not a diagnosis for SCID. 

This mama also got to hold her baby for the first time on July 25th!

Update 8/22/24

On July 31st, we got the news that Branson was SCID free! We have had some premature atrial contractions, where his heart rate would drop really low or jump up really high but the doctors weren’t too worried about it, because everything else was great. So, they put him on medicine to try and help decrease the amount of times this was happening and so far it has helped tremendously and he’s now getting lowered doses. August 4th, Branson got off the ventilator and moved to cpap. They didn’t make changes with that for a while due to his contractions from his heart but after they got that under control they started lowering his settings. August 19th, he moved to the nose cannula, but unfortunately, he couldn’t handle it too much and he started having trouble so they moved him back to the cpap two days later. Now, we’re just waiting on our little man to get stronger to get off the cpap again and hopefully start bottle feedings soon after! 

Update 9/24/24

On September 1st, Branson was put back on to the cannula and has been thriving so they placed him on the at home oxygen settings. 

He’s been working on bottle feedings and unfortunately, not doing well with it. They have mentioned doing a g tube for him. But we wanted to wait on that to see if he can get the hold of bottle feedings and have him work on that before we decide to move on with another surgery. There’s not too much to update on little man but we are still very much needing prayers!

Update 9/27/24

On September 25th, they found out that Branson had malrotation, where his intestines were twisted together and they had to do an emergency surgery to correct that problem. And, now he hasn’t ate since before his surgery and is back on the ventilator again.

Update 10/25/24

Since the Malrotation, Branson has been put back on the ventilator and is now on cpap. He got diagnosed with pneumonia and a blood infection. They thought they would have to put him back on Ecmo, he was so close to getting put back on it. But, he started improving and after a while started testing negative for pneumonia and the infection. And luckily, didn’t have to be put back on. Now, he’s having to see a pulmonary doctor because he’s now having more issues. So fingers crossed everything is okay and he starts recovering soon so we can move foward with bringing our baby home. He still has a ways to go but we’re hoping before thanksgiving he’ll be with us.

Update 11/25/24

Branson was able to come home on November 12th! We got so many pictures of him smiling! Unfortunately, he only lasted a week and had to be re admitted November 19th. Now, he’s back on the ventilator and is currently waiting on tests to come back for what could’ve caused him to get re admitted.