 |
|
|
|
| |
1997 National Ambassador: Cody Groce
Today, Cody Dillon Groce (pronounced "Gross") is a healthy, active child. The only difference between him and other children is a small bag he uses to urinate, called a urostomy. But at the time of his mother's pregnancy and his birth this good outcome was far from assured.
Before Cody was born his parents, Brenda and Jimmy Groce, lost three unborn babies due to miscarriage. The couple became convinced that they would never have a child. Then at age 39, Brenda became pregnant again. She immediately sought prenatal care, and was told by her obstetrician that she did not produce enough progesterone to support a healthy pregnancy. She began taking supplemental progesterone. Brenda then developed gestational diabetes, which she was able to control through diet.
When Brenda was seven months pregnant, she had an ultrasound test. The test showed that the baby had enlarged kidneys and bladder and a blocked urethra (the passage that normally empties urine from the bladder). A pediatric urologist at Bowman Gray/Baptist Hospital Medical Center told the Groces that their baby would require surgery immediately after birth to save his kidneys and his life.
Cody came into the world on April 27, 1991 at a local community hospital and was then transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at BG/BHMC. He had his first operation on his fourth day of life. At age six months, Cody had another operation to try to give him normal urinary function. Numerous infections followed, however, and by age four Cody had had 11 operations and 19 hospitalizations. In 1993 his physicians performed a urostomy. An incision was made in Cody's stomach about two inches from the belly button directly into his bladder. Urine drains from the kidney and is collected in a small bag outside the body that is secured to Cody's waist and thigh.
When Cody is a teenager, if he wishes, doctors will operate again to attempt to achieve normal urinary function. However, he can continue to lead an active life with the urostomy.
Today Cody is a spirited, intelligent child who attends kindergarten and loves riding his pony on the family farm, playing with his cats and dogs, reading, and playing computer games. He says he wants to be a doctor when he grows up so that he can help other children who are born sick.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last year 3 million people gave their time, talent and funds to help save babies? You can too...
 |
|
|
|
Donating is easy online, by phone or mail / fax.
|
|
|
