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Baby's home after 81 days in hospital Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming Kerrie Chamberlain holds her son Miles, who returned home to Talent last week after nearly three months in a Portland hospital. Miles stopped breathing the night he was born and was revived by a Talent police officer. Later, he was diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a failure of the diaphragm to close properly. By MEG LANDERS TALENT - After 81 days in Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland and more than $1 million in hospital bills, Miles Chamberlain is home for the first time since the night he was born. On July 1, just after his birth at home, his parents called 911 when they realized their 8-pound, 4-ounce son was not breathing. Diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a hole in his diaphragm that allowed the lower organs to migrate into the chest cavity, he was flown to Portland for treatment. There he remained until a week ago Wednesday. His parents, Kerrie and Josh Chamberlain, 24 and 26, say that initially they were concerned about Miles coming home and their ability to provide their baby with the level of care he needs. Kerrie says they've managed well, though. "It feels a lot more natural than I thought," she says. "I think because he's not hooked up to tubes and wires, he's more like a normal baby." The hours after Miles' birth were anything but normal. Talent police officer Jim Whalen, who responded to the Chamberlains' 911 call, performed life-support rescue breathing. In part to honor the officer, the Chamberlains named their son Miles Whalen Lloyd Chamberlain. Emergency workers rushed the baby to Rogue Valley Medical Center, where his condition was diagnosed, and then Miles was flown to Portland and hooked up to a blood-oxygenating machine and a ventilator. After 11 days, he underwent surgery to put his organs in place and patch the diaphragm. He remains on a number of medications to regulate blood pressure and pain. Nearing his three-month birthday at just 10 pounds, Miles struggles to keep weight on, partly due to frequent vomiting. He is fed breast milk through a gastrointestinal tube inserted into his stomach, and Kerrie says he's been breast-feeding a little as well. Every step forward means a lot to them. Doctors have said Miles will always be prone to problems with his lungs but that he's lucky to be here at all. While he was at the Portland hospital, four other babies with the same condition died, doctors said. Heather Strassell, 25, Kerrie's sister, says she's admired her sibling's level of commitment to do whatever it takes. And she's inspired by Josh and Kerrie's strength and courage. "I think their faith in God and believing in God is what's gotten them through this," says the Grants Pass resident. A recent visit to the Chamberlains' home reminded her to not take things for granted, she says, not even the little things. "He was watching his little bug mobile, smiling," says Strassell, a new mother herself. "It really meant a lot to me. It was precious." The next steps include regular checkups and physical therapy, as well as tending to developmental needs as they arise, says Kerrie. Miles is due to have surgery this week on an eye which seems to have dried blood in it. He's due to have another surgery in a year to close his stomach muscles. With no health insurance, the couple say they are worried about paying bills. "It's about $1 million for just the hospital," says Josh, a self-employed contractor. While they have been receiving a little assistance through a donation account they set up, Kerrie says it's time to look into fund-raising ideas. Kerrie and Josh see this as being the hardest thing they've ever done, and they say it's changed them. "We're a lot more patient people," says Josh. "And compassionate," adds Kerrie. Those interested in helping the Chamberlains with their medical bills can make donations to the Miles Chamberlain Donation Account No. 1536 5256 4979 at any U.S. Bank branch. Meg Landers is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.