Evan’s story starts at his 20 week anatomy scan.  On December 28, 2020, I went for my 20 week anatomy scan during COVID - alone.   After what felt like forever, the ultrasound technician said she had to get the doctor and not to get dressed.  The doctor came in, re-scanned and told me to get dressed.  Walking to his office, he told me to call my husband so he could talk to both of us.  I knew something was terribly wrong but the words Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia had never crossed my mind.  Those three words would forever change our lives.

We were referred immediately to CHOP and met our amazing team.  We are so thankful to live close to the best hospital in the country with a team that specializes in this birth defect.  At our first appointment, after hours of tests, we were told about a fetal surgery called FETO that was an option for us since Evan’s case was so severe.  After going through all the qualifying testing, we decided to move forward with FETO.  On March 2, 2021, I moved into the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia with her mom in preparation for FETO.  The next day, the FETO procedure was successful and the balloon was placed.  The balloon was to remain in place for 5 weeks but being the stubborn little boy that he is, he didn’t want to give it back.   I remained inpatient for the next 2 weeks and was scanned daily to see if Evan was in the correct position for the balloon retrieval.   One afternoon, my surgeon and MFM came in to check on his position.  After the scan, they told me he was in the perfect position, paralyzed him bedside and rushed me to the OR to retrieve the balloon.  

Evan’s lung volume started at 17% and at the last measurement, it increased to 35%.  Cue happy tears!  This little balloon did its job and helped Evan’s lungs grow.