Thursday, January 7, 2010

Tyler Sopland, 12

Tyler was diagnosed in utero with Duodenal Atresia, a condition in which the first part of the small bowel (the Duodenal) has not developed properly. Within minutes of his birth on March 5, 1997, Tyler was rushed into surgery. After a two hour surgery, Tyler was placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Kosair Children’s Hospital where he would remain for the next four weeks.

With persistent vomiting and no bowel movements, Tyler faced a second surgery at two weeks of age. The surgery was a success and after a month’s stay in the NICU, Tyler was finally well enough to go home. It was a magical day for his parents, Jeff and Kim.

“We can’t thank the entire Kosair Children’s Hospital NICU staff enough for the heartfelt care they gave Tyler during his stay. When family members weren’t holding Tyler, the nurses were holding him. A minute didn’t go by that he wasn’t held or looked after.”

The Sopland Family
Jeff, Kim, Tyler and Evan