Jake Croteau

Jake's story began in the delivery room. He appeared to be a healthy 8-lb boy, but when he tried to nurse, each time he wound up choking. The hospital pediatricians took an X-ray and diagnosed a tracheal-esophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, which meant the upper half of his esophagus ended half way down, and the lower half was attached to his trachea. We were told this was a relatively common defect (1 in 3000), but immediate surgery was required for his survival.

Within a few hours after birth, Jake was transported to the UCSF Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to be operated on early the next morning. We were very frightened, but from the beginning of his ordeal the UCSF staff was truly amazing. The transport team was very sweet and supportive, and the night nurse assigned to him, Chris Lent, was wonderful.

The following afternoon, Jake's surgeon, Dr. Hanmin Lee, called us at the delivery hospital to say the delicate surgery had been a success, but it was not until much later that we were to realize how well it had gone. With just three small incisions in Jake's back, Dr. Lee and his associates had been able to insert a small camera and tiny surgical instruments. They used this minimally invasive procedure to go around the pleura of the lungs to connect the esophagus and also repair the trachea.

We started going to the ICU every day to be there through Jake's recovery, and at first it was truly terrifying seeing a small baby full of IV tubes and breathing on a ventilator. The UCSF nursing staff is unbelievably dedicated — everyone was so understanding and kind. They also encouraged us to be active participants in helping him get well. We watched all of the monitors and asked incessant questions. One day we were concerned that we were being too inquisitive, and the nurse assured us that this was great — it was our job to be our son's advocate while he recovered.

The atmosphere in the ICU is serious, but always very encouraging. The nurses are so professional and caring, and the doctors are always patient and informative. Just 13 days after his surgery, the doctors decided Jake was ready to go home feeding entirely by mouth. We found out later that this is a remarkably short recovery stay for a T-E fistula patient, due to the incredible micro-surgery performed by Dr. Lee and the excellent follow-up care by the nurses and doctors in the ICU.

Jake is now three months old and very healthy. He may need some follow-up care in the next few years to help his esophagus grow with the rest of him, but otherwise it is as though nothing happened. We have read many accounts of this problem with other children, and none have been this miraculous. We know that it may have been a traumatic way to enter the world, but the spectacular care he received at UCSF made him a strong healthy baby. We are forever indebted to the doctors and nurses there, and will never forget all of their wisdom and compassion. Thank you!