Ruth Hannah Brophy - Introduction

Introduction to this site, RHB News

Welcome to RHB News

Started shortly after her birth, this site tracks the life of our daughter Ruth, born in Dublin, Ireland, Jan 10th 2001.

New visitors to this site are advised to read through this brief introductory section covering the following Topics

Intoduction - An intro to RHB News, it aims and objectives

Notes and Cautions for all visitors

Finding your way around this site - Site Navigation.

Viewing preferences

Introduction

Our daughter Ruth was born with an abdominal wall birth defect called Exomphalus (pronounced 'Ex-om-fal-us'), also known as Omphalocele (pronounced 'om-falo-seal'). While we understand that both terms are interchangeable, we will more or less exclusively use the term Omphalocele. At the outset, the intented audience was our immediate and extended famility and friends. Through the site we hoped to

Provide a source of non-clinical information on Ruth's underlying condition.

Provide a single source of information on Ruth's treatment and progress in Temple Street Children's Hostpial Dublin.

Build understanding.

Given the restricted visitation practices within an intensive care unit, we also hoped this site would give people an insight to Ruth's character and thereby allow us share our baby with others.

Over time the site has evolved and acquired a wider audience. As such, one can consider this site, in broad and simplistic terms, to chart the treatment of a baby born with a large Exomphalus Major defect under a conservative management strategy.

Notes & Cautions

This site contains material of a graphic nature relating to our baby's condition and treatment. This includes descriptions and/or pictures of a medical nature.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all information presented throughout this site, visitors are reminded that it is not presented as medical or scientific fact. It has been prepared by non-medics and as such may be subject to error in either material fact and/or interpretation. It is also stressed that our understanding of the majority of the material is based solely on the specifics of Ruth's condition and treatment.

As a rule we believe that it would be most unwise and inappropriate to make any comparisons between different Omphalocele cases. Each case is distinct and highly specific. We would strongly recommend that all queries or concerns any visitors may have as a result of reviewing material on this site should be resolved in consultation and discussion with qualified medical professionals.

Finally, while we are comfortable disclosing details of Ruth's condition, treatment, progress and development, we ask all those visiting this site to be sensitive and responsible in their handling of material presented.

© 2001, 2002, L & A Brophy, Dublin, Ireland. Please do not reproduce or use any material without prior consent. Thank You.

Navigating Your Way Through This Site

When you initial enter www.ruthhannahbrophy.com in your web browser address bar, the following opening page is displayed. A description of the various icons etc used on this page is detailed in the table below:

Latest Update
August 7th 2002

This indicates the date the most recent detailed update has been posed to the site.

This indicates that new photos have been posted on the Photos Page on the site. This icon will be displayed for one week after new photos have posted. Thus this icon indicates that new photos have been posted in the last week.

This indicates that new, minor update or breaking news has been posted to the Notice Board page of the site. Similar to the new photos icon, this icon will be displayed for one week after the new addition has been added the Notice Board.

Once you click on the "Enter Site" button you will enter the site's main window. This is divided into two areas as detailed below:

The pink panel on the left hand side of the browser window provides a menu to access each area on the site. This panel is always available, allowing quick and easy access to all areas of the site.
The larger panel on the right hand side is the main display window where the contents of each page is displayed.

Each of these menu options and associated areas are explained in the table below.

You are currently on this page.

This series of pages address the following areas of general information:

The nature of Ruth's condition which is called Exomphalus or Omphalocele.

Treatment strategies commonly used to address this condition.

The evolution of Ruth's treatment, given the specifics of her case.

The nature of the challenges in Ruth's case together with a review of how they evolved over time.

Information on issues such as ventilation and feeding.

Links to futher sources of information and internet based resources.

Once again, visitors are reminded to heed the sentiments expressed in the Notes and Cautions.

This page contains the most recent update posted to the site. The frequency of the updates to the site has evolved over time. At first, updates were posted twice-weekly, then week. Since Jan 2002, with the advent to Ruth's discharge to a home environment, updates will be posted every two-weeks.

These series of pages provide access to all periously posted updates.

The Update Log is presented in two distinct formats.

The Table Of Updates provides a table of links to all of the updates posted to the site in chronological order.

The Summary Of Updates presents a summary of all updates posted to this site. Each summary also provides a link to the associated full-length update. This summary of updates is presented in reverse chronological order.

These sections are in turn sub-divided by year.

A selection of photographs Each set of photos is introduced by a set of small thumbnails on the main Photos page. The full-sized set of photos associated with each set of thumbnails can be viewed by clicking on the title of the set.

This page contains details of breaking news not included in the current updates. It also provide details of updates or changes to the RHB site content

This utility will allow visitor to seach through the content on any of the pages posted on the site.

This utility allows you to send us message. Be sure to include reply email address so we can reply to your message

Display Setting Recommendations

This site is best viewed using Internet Explorer with a display desktop area of 1024X768 pixels and High Colour (16 bit) or more colors


Latest Update August 7th 2002	This indicates the date the most recent detailed update has been posed to the site.
	This indicates that new photos have been posted on the Photos Page on the site. This icon will be displayed for one week after new photos have posted. Thus this icon indicates that new photos have been posted in the last week.
	This indicates that new, minor update or breaking news has been posted to the Notice Board page of the site. Similar to the new photos icon, this icon will be displayed for one week after the new addition has been added the Notice Board.



The pink panel on the left hand side of the browser window provides a menu to access each area on the site. This panel is always available, allowing quick and easy access to all areas of the site.	The larger panel on the right hand side is the main display window where the contents of each page is displayed.

	You are currently on this page.
	This series of pages address the following areas of general information: The nature of Ruth's condition which is called Exomphalus or Omphalocele. Treatment strategies commonly used to address this condition. The evolution of Ruth's treatment, given the specifics of her case. The nature of the challenges in Ruth's case together with a review of how they evolved over time. Information on issues such as ventilation and feeding. Links to futher sources of information and internet based resources. Once again, visitors are reminded to heed the sentiments expressed in the Notes and Cautions.
	This page contains the most recent update posted to the site. The frequency of the updates to the site has evolved over time. At first, updates were posted twice-weekly, then week. Since Jan 2002, with the advent to Ruth's discharge to a home environment, updates will be posted every two-weeks.
	These series of pages provide access to all periously posted updates. The Update Log is presented in two distinct formats. The Table Of Updates provides a table of links to all of the updates posted to the site in chronological order. The Summary Of Updates presents a summary of all updates posted to this site. Each summary also provides a link to the associated full-length update. This summary of updates is presented in reverse chronological order. These sections are in turn sub-divided by year.
	A selection of photographs Each set of photos is introduced by a set of small thumbnails on the main Photos page. The full-sized set of photos associated with each set of thumbnails can be viewed by clicking on the title of the set.
	This page contains details of breaking news not included in the current updates. It also provide details of updates or changes to the RHB site content
	This utility will allow visitor to seach through the content on any of the pages posted on the site.
	This utility allows you to send us message. Be sure to include reply email address so we can reply to your message