Before Leeland Brady was born, his parents never knew if they would see their little boy thrive. Before birth, he was diagnosed with two life-threatening conditions that would require many months of critical care in the Norton Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The family, from Lebanon, Kentucky, spent nine months with Leeland in the NICU. He received comprehensive medical care, and the family experienced a sense of true community and support. Doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, receptionists and all staff became like family.
“Our nurses still keep up with him,” said Leeland’s mother, Dallas. “I love all the doctors there. They are wonderful.”
Thanks to the expertise of the team in the NICU, the unwavering faith of his family and ongoing multidisciplinary care at Norton Children’s, today Leeland is a 6-year-old full of life and joy.
“Going to Norton Children’s was the best decision [my husband Chad and I] made,” said Dallas, who credits the care team with saving her son’s life.
Multidisciplinary care from the start
During a prenatal visit with Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine, doctors diagnosed Leeland with life-threatening conditions. He had giant omphalocele, which causes the abdominal organs to grow outside of the belly, and a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), which is a hole in the diaphragm and causes abdominal organs to grow into an infant’s chest and cause breathing issues.
While still pregnant and learning about the risks and complications involving her baby’s condition, Dallas had a conversation with David S. Foley, M.D., pediatric general surgeon with Norton Children’s Surgery.
“His exact words were, ‘This baby has a healthy heart and deserves a chance.’ I will remember that moment as long as I live,” she said.
At 36 weeks, Leeland was born at Norton Hospital in downtown Louisville and was immediately under the care of multiple doctors and nurses in the Norton Children’s Hospital NICU, led by pediatric general surgeon Mary E. Fallat, M.D., with Norton Children’s Surgery.
“Dr. Fallat never gave up on our boy and was ready to take on any operation,” Dallas said. “For anything we’ve ever needed, she always had a solution. She’s so knowledgeable and compassionate.”
According to Dallas, since the first night in the NICU, Dr. Fallat remained a constant source of knowledge and support while performing lifesaving surgeries throughout Leeland’s NICU stay.
Dr. Fallat repaired Leeland’s diaphragmatic hernia, closing the hole in his diaphragm and allowing his lungs the proper space to grow and function properly. She also performed multiple operations to treat his giant omphalocele, which involved moving abdominal organs back to their proper places. Due to his fragile condition and the tedious operations that occurred in stages, Leeland was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to support his heart and lung function.
“They are angels on earth,” Dallas said of the ECMO team. “They operated everything so smoothly.”
After nine months, Leeland was finally stable enough to go home with his family, still requiring medical equipment and support.
“Ever since coming home, Leeland has flourished,” Dallas said.
Flourishing with ongoing care
Despite the passage of six years, the dedication and expertise of Leeland’s entire care team continue to leave a lasting impression on his family.
Leeland has continued to thrive, thanks to regular follow-ups with a Norton Children’s multidisciplinary care team that supports patients with complex conditions like Leeland’s. Every six months, he visits Norton Children’s Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Clinic at the Novak Center for Children’s Health. He also continues to see specialists in cardiology, pulmonology, surgery and nutrition. As he grows older, he may face additional surgeries.
Earlier this year, Leeland started kindergarten. He adores Goofy, the Disney cartoon character, and enjoys playing games on his Nintendo Switch. His parents are forever grateful to everyone at Norton Children’s who has cared for, supported and prayed for their boy.
“There is such an outpouring of love and thanks that our whole family owes to [Norton Children’s],” Dallas said. “They are truly the best.”