Cameron Leigh Crowe was born on November 10, 1997.  What a day that was!  At 11:31 am Cameron joined our world through a normal delivery.  The doctor had to suction her out because her heart rate was dropping.  After the nurses stabilized her, I was able to hold her.  It was at that time that my doctor told us he thought she had Down syndrome.  She had a few characteristics that made him feel this way.  Mainly, her low muscle tone, and the single line across her hands (rather than the two that most people have).  I can honestly say that we weren't that upset hearing those words - Down syndrome.  To us she was our  beautiful little girl. 

Cameron was taken away to the NICU because she wasn't able to get enough oxygen.  About an hour later the Neonatologist came to see us.  They had done an Echocardiogram (basically, an ultrasound of her heart).  The Echo showed that she had a heart defect, Atrioventricular Septal Defect (ASD).  Hearing this news, we cried.  What a way to start off in this world!  The doctor told us though, that it was operable and that it was a common defect in Down syndrome babies.

Cameron had to stay in the NICU for 1 week, because the blood vessels in her lungs were not "transitioning" from the birth, and so she wasn't getting enough oxygen.  Eventually the vessels opened up and we were able to bring her home.

During her first month I tried to learn as much as I could about her particular heart defect.  I wasn't too concerned about the Down syndrome at this time.  I was told by a few people to call Tri-Counties Regional Center, because she had DS.  I called, not knowing why.  Within a month Cameron was receiving physical therapy at home twice a week! 

She was about 2 1/2 months old when PT started.  I was told right from the beginning we needed to put her on her stomach more because she was lacking strength to hold her head up.  It was also at this time that I began Cameron on NuTriVene-D (Targeted Nutritional Intervention). It was my hope to give Cameron the best possible chance at a healthy, normal life which I believe TNI helps to accomplish.

By 4 months she was rolling over - not consistently, but rolling over none the less!!  Her neck(?) muscles were improving.  Her pediatrician told us we could start feeding her baby cereal now.  Well I quickly learned this was easier said than done!  Cameron didn't know what to do with the food in her mouth - or maybe I didn't know how to give it to her so she could eat it.  Whatever the case, I gave up!  I tried again a few weeks later, right about the time she was learning how to make spitting sounds with her tongue.  Needless to say, I had more cereal sprayed on me than Cameron had in her tummy!!  I decided to try again later...

At 5 1/2 months Cameron had Open Heart surgery to repair her heart defect at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.  Due to the fact that she has Down syndrome we were told by the surgeon that the most challenging part, after the surgery, would be getting her off the respirator.  She was off the respirator approximately 30 hours after surgery.  She was out of the hospital 4 days after surgery!!  We were all amazed at her quick recovery.  While she was in the hospital she didn't smile once (for obvious reasons!).  When she left the hospital and we all went back to the Ronald McDonald House to spend the night before we went home on Saturday, she smiled once.  When we were at home on Saturday, Tony and I were talking and she just started laughing!!  She was as happy to be home as we were - actually, I think she was MORE happy!!

1 week after surgery, you could tell she was still sore.  She didn't move around too much, she couldn't hold her head up, and could not be on her stomach - even on a pillow.   2 weeks after surgery, she was back to her normal self!  She could hold her head up again, she was rolling over, and she was even eating baby cereal!!  She wouldn't spend too much time on her stomach though.  3 weeks after surgery she was doing all of the above plus staying on her stomach for as long as before surgery and holding her head up 45 degrees while on her stomach.  She could also sit up with support - either holding her waist or her holding onto your hand/fingers.

As she resumed physical therapy, we look forward to each milestone Cameron reaches.  The big ones as well as the little ones!

July 1999 Update:
Since this webpage was created our family has grown by 1 more.  Cassidie Lynne joined our family on March 13, 1999.  Cameron has adjusted to the new baby pretty well.  The 2 of them look at each other and both start laughing.  Cameron likes to sit on top of Cassidie, which doesn't make Cassidie too happy.  I have a feeling that before too long Cassidie will be the one sitting on top of Cameron.  At this time Cameron is still wearing size 12 months (she'll be 2 in November).  As hard as I try to get her into 18 months, she's just a tiny girl.  Cassidie, who is 4 months as of this update, is quickly catching up to Cameron.

Cameron's Story Continued...