Teddy’s Story
Teddy Lodico was born on June 29, 2010 with a severe right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). His CDH was suspected at 37 weeks gestation, but never confirmed. After a routine birth at Albany Medical Center, Teddy was unable to breathe and his condition rapidly deteriorated. The neonatologists treating him there quickly realized that Teddy was going to need more support, so hours later he was flown to Boston Children’s Hospital.
His treatment in Boston lasted two months, and included surgery to return his liver, kidney and stomach to their correct location and to place a Gore-Tex® patch over the hole in his diaphragm, a heart- and lung-bypass machine (ECMO) that served as a last-ditch effort to allow his tired organs to rest, dozens of medications, oxygen, and nutritional support.
Teddy was discharged from BCH after 56 days, much faster than the more typical 88 days in the hospital. He spent his first year not only becoming acquainted with his family and his home back in Saratoga Springs, NY, but also enduring numerous health scares, tinkering of medications, physical therapy, feeding therapy, nutrition services, a 5-month course of Synagis® to protect against the very dangerous respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
After that first year, however, things began to change quickly for Teddy. He achieved all of his developmental milestones within normal limits – walking, talking, and socializing at an expected time and pace. Teddy’s sweet and loving nature has become the predominant feature of his personality.
Today, he is a healthy 9-year-old boy who loves to learn about history, ride his bike, and play baseball with his friends. Except for a large scar on his abdomen, a bystander would never expect him to have suffered from CDH.
Personal Stories
Learn from other’s journey with CDH and their experience with The Incredible Teddy Foundation.
Get Involved
There are several ways you can support our mission to help families affected by CDH.