CDH International’s featured patient of the week is CDH survivor Crystal Cordova. This is what Crystal had to share about her inspirational journey being born with CDH:
“I was born six weeks premature in 1987. The physicians realized I had right sided Diaphragmatic hernia immediately. From there, I was life-flighted 2 hours away to Texas Tech where physicians told my mom I probably would not survive. I had emergency surgery by a female surgeon, Dr. Goldthorn.
I was hospitalized and kept in an incubator for over a month, but I survived with minimal issues. Over the years, I had a revision surgery at age two due to a bowel obstruction. I suffer from asthma and re-occurring small bowel obstructions every few years, with hospitalizations and an NG tube. In addition, I also had severe scoliosis and wore a back brace from ages 4 to 16, until I had spinal fusion at age 16. Currently, I mainly suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis for 23 yrs. I will be 34 yrs old April 28th! Due to my chronic conditions and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, I try to raise awareness for all my chronic issues and being on life long disability since the age of 25.
I use to be a certified nursing assistant for many assisted livings. In addition, I worked Pediatrics and Med Surgical units at the University of New Mexico Hospital. I wanted to be a pediatric nurse RN, but it’s been hard and put on hold due to my health. I currently work as a part-time Nanny taking care of an adorable 18 month old girl. Her mom has Cystic Fibrosis and works from home.”
