The birth of a baby brings joy and excitement. The birth of Layne Christopher Bushhorn brought all of that and more when he was born on August 23.

Chris and Lisa Bushhorn brought their little bundle of happiness home on September 1 after he was released with a clean bill of health. However, a short time later, the couple found themselves at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati waiting for results of what might be making their baby breathe so rapidly.

The couple was told that Layne had Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia CDH. This is a birth defect where the diaphragm does not fully develop. “In Layne’s case, he had a quarter size hole on his right side which allowed his intestines to move up into his chest and restrict the formation of his right lung,” noted Chris.

On September 2 emergency surgery was performed to repair the hole and move the organs back into place. He was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU, at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, for 13 days. He was released to go home on oxygen and a heart monitor.

Then on September 30 the couple noticed things weren’t quite right and rushed him back to the hospital where he was in total respiratory distress. He was again admitted to the NCIU and on October 6 had a more invasive surgery.

“We have had many ups and downs since surgery,” Chris noted. He said from finding out that the baby has a heart condition called SVT to having both of the baby’s lungs collapse and a bout with pneumonia and a respiratory infection, they know their baby has a long way to go. They said they also know they are very fortunate because fifty percent of newborns with this condition do not survive.
Layne continues to fight for his life, and his parents, who also have a two year old at home, continue to travel and stay as many hours as possible at the Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati.

Last Wednesday, October 26 Chris had a wreck on the way to the hospital, rolled his vehicle and had to be cut out. He is reported to be in good condition. If all of this isn’t enough, the family found out last week that Layne may be facing another surgery soon.

The family of this couple have rallied around them with the maternal grandparents, Paul and Linda Roell of Dillsboro, helping out along with the paternal grandparents, Rick and Shawna Bushhorn of Osgood.

A benefit is being planned for this family to help defray some of their costs at this time. It will be held December 4 at the Napoleon Community Building from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a dinner and silent auction. To donate to the silent auction or help in any way, you can contact Shawna Bushhorn at 621-0826 or the baby’s great aunts: Ginger Bradford at 812-756-0778 or Sonja Samples at 689-5015. There has also been a fund set up at The Napoleon State Bank in Layne’s name if you would like to donate there.

The family appreciates any support from the community at this trying time in their lives.