This is so our family, friends & fellow Easton supporters can follow our journey as we navigate life & celebrate Easton's triumphs over Spina Bifida. In July of 2010 I was told that I may not be able to have children. Three months later in October of 2010 I found out I was pregnant. At 18 weeks I went for a routine ultrasound to check on the baby and find out the sex. We were so excited to find ou
t we were having a boy! Our excitement
quickly turned to fear a mere 30 minutes later when we were told I needed to see a maternal fetal specialist b/c they noticed some things during the ultrasound that didn't look right. the very next week and it was confirmed that our baby boy had Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida (SB) is a birth defect that occurs during the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. It happens when the baby's spine does not close
properly leaving nerves exposed and ultimately causing nerve damage which can cause paralysis. We also found out that he had Hydrocephalus (which is very common in people with SB). Hydrocephalus, often called "water on the brain" is a neurological disorder in which there is too much cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. We were terrified because we didn't know what this meant for our baby. We were told of all the things that may potentially be wrong with him as a result of this birth defect. June 13, 2011 at 8:57am Easton Lee Tanner was delivered via scheduled c-section. He was the most beautiful person I had ever laid eyes upon. He was taken straight to the NICU and I wasn't able to see him again until 10pm that night. He had surgery the next day (6/14/11) to repair his myelomeningocele spina bifida. He made it through the surgery like a champ. His hydrocephalus was monitored regularly. He had to have casts on both legs (from his thighs down to his toes) to start the correction of his clubbed feet. Eight days later we were able to leave the NICU and bring our baby home! We had to go to the doctor at least once every week (sometimes two or three times a week) to have his casts changed and keep a check on his hydrocephalus, kidneys and bladder. At 4 months old his neurologist told us it was necessary for Easton to have brain surgery to have a VP Shunt placed in his head to drain the fluid. He had that surgery on 10/12/2011. That same day he also had the first of many surgeries on his feet. He had the Achilles' tendon in both feet released in order to continue correction of his clubbed feet. He had that same surgery again on 12/14/2012. Thus far, in Easton's short life he has had 5 surgeries and unfortunately more to come. He does have movement in his legs so his paralysis is not as severe as the doctors originally thought it would be. He has no feeling or movement from his ankles down. He is working so hard on walking and is making great progress! He can now take several steps with his walker. Although his steps may be small, slow and sometimes awkward he is still doing what we were told he would NEVER be able to do! We continue to pray and work hard on a daily basis. I now strive to spread awareness of Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus (and all of Easton's other diagnoses) and share with others our story. I want to be there for anyone going through this scary world of SB to show them that it is not a death sentence. SB does not define who Easton is. It is just something we have to deal with. His courage and determination is unbelievable. He is a fighter and I know he will do great things in his life. Please like our page and help us spread awareness! Update: While Easton is and will continue to work hard daily on learning/trying to walk we decided to get him a wheelchair to give him a little more independence and freedom to get around in public. We think he is going to love his chair. Especially since it's a sports chair that he can pop wheelies on and learn all sorts of tricks that will more than likely give me (his mommy) a panic attack! We are looking forward to seeing what this new chapter brings us! Keep praying and believing! Easton's Diagnoses/Health Issues
Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele
Hydrocephalus (aka fluid on the brain)
Chiari Malformation Type II
Neurogenic Bladder
Neurogenic Bowel
Anal Prolapse
Hydronephrosis (Left Kidney)
Bilateral Club Foot
Bilateral Hip Dysplasia (hips are out of socket)
Bilateral Tibial Torsion
Paralysis of his feet
