Thread: this poor baby lives 10 minutes from me

Woman in wonder over brain-damaged infant's progress

By Denise Bachman
dbachman@observer-reporter.com

The prescription refills she received for the first time last month are the most precious things Donna Miller of Washington has held in her hands since her 6-month-old grandson, Wyatt Miller, was released Aug. 28 from Children's Hospital.

For the Miller family, it means doctors are finally giving the baby a fighting chance to survive.

"So far, he's had so many miracles," said Donna, who is caring for the child, along with his two older siblings. "We're seeing him do things doctors didn't think he could do."







Wyatt was taken by helicopter July 15 from Washington Hospital to the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh after his maternal grandmother, Barbara Proctor, noticed the 3-week-old did not look well. His skin was cold, he was lethargic, and he was not eating properly.

"I never saw them work so fast. When I saw all the doctors and nurses swarming around him, I knew something was seriously wrong," Donna said.

Although doctors initially thought he may have a severe infection, further testing indicated he had two skull fractures. A third fracture was discovered during a CT scan.


In a diagnostic referral evaluation, Dr. Amber Hoffman, assistant professor of pediatrics at Children's Hospital, noted the initial CT scan also showed Wyatt had bleeding through every layer of the brain and had other brain injuries.

In other words, Wyatt had irreversible brain damage, and he would be deaf, blind and mentally retarded.

In addition, his growth would be stunted because his pituitary gland had been destroyed. The pituitary gland, also known as the "master gland," controls hormone functions, such as temperature, thyroid activity and urine production, plus testosterone and estrogen production.

"The endocrinologist didn't even expect to see me at the appointment," Donna said, referring to Wyatt's first follow-up exam after his release from the hospital.




On Oct. 16, Wyatt's mother, 24-year-old Jennifer Lynn Proctor of Canton Township, was arrested by state police for allegedly assaulting her son.

"I thought maybe one of the kids picked him up out of the crib and dropped him," Donna said, referring to Wyatt's sister, Sierra, 3, and brother, T.J., 19 months. "As a mother, I can't picture anybody I would have known to have done it."

During Proctor's hearing Nov. 15, Amanda Krobot, a caseworker with Washington County Children and Youth Services, testified Wyatt was healthy at birth.

"The doctor said he was violently shaken, that there was no other medical reason or condition to cause that," Krobot said.

Proctor was held for court by District Judge David Mark on charges of endangering the welfare of children, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.

Wyatt has been defying medical prognoses ever since.

Two weeks after he was admitted to Children's Hospital, he was finally removed from life support after repeated attempts.

When it was time to replace a feeding tube, which passed through his nose, down the esophagus and into his stomach, with a different type of feeding tube, the surgery was postponed because Wyatt's temperature dropped.

Three days later, though, he started drinking through a bottle. Slowly, his intake increased, and when he was able to ingest two ounces of fluid every three hours, Wyatt pulled out his own feeding tube. He never did get the gastric feeding tube.

Wyatt has since passed a hearing test and a vision test, and he continues to eat on his own. He has even grown 13/4 inches.

And the best part, Donna said, is he's cooing and laughing. "The other kids sit beside me and give him kisses," she said.

That's not to say Wyatt is out of danger.

He still has fluid on the brain, and any bump or fall could kill him. Even a helmet he now wears won't be enough to save him, Donna said.

"It's still scary," she said. "I was so devastated and scared when I heard. "

Even Wyatt's father, Everett Miller, can hardly hold his son, Donna said, because he's scared.

Wyatt has very little use of his left side, and his head often tilts to the right. He also has been diagnosed with diabetes insipidus, an abnormal increase in urine output; hypothyroidism; and a hormone deficiency, caused by the injury to the pituitary gland.

"He's developing as a 1-month-old," Donna said. "In some phases, he's at 2 or 4 months old. The doctor said, 'Don't think he's not going to grow.' He's come so far to this point."

However, doctors have told Donna that since Wyatt's brain isn't growing, he may be only the size of a 9-year-old when he turns 15.

Wyatt also is required to have his blood tested regularly to monitor his sodium level, and he is on a strict medication regimen.

He undergoes physical therapy three times a week and occupational therapy once a week - at least when Donna can find transportation. A vehicle she purchased last spring never worked right, and her mother's car was totaled while it was parked on the street not long ago.

Donna struggles to buy food and diapers, and she no longer can visit with her mom, with whom she would drink coffee and play Yahtzee.

But she's not complaining. Her grandson is alive.

"My family doesn't have money, but we have love," Donna said.


http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/...or_shaken_baby


i just read my paper today and saw this and it made me cry thinking about how someone could do this to a child........

Originally Posted by ssgjeg

I'm from Washington and it's a good thing that baby didn't have to stay at Washington Hospital long. I don't know how it is now but it used to be the worst hospital and their er sucked big time.

it still is the worst...lol

poor little guy