News & Observer | newsobserver.com | A Chance for Anna

A daunting choice

The pressure was wearing on Susan and Jason Williamson as they walked into the surgeon's office for yet another meeting.

Updated: Aug. 12, 2008 11:08 AM | Full story

Surgery in the womb

Susan Williamson looked small, almost frail, in the hospital bed; her pregnant belly only slightly plumped the bedsheets.

Updated: Aug. 12, 2008 11:01 AM | Full story

The ordeal of recovery

The doctors at Vanderbilt University Medical Center assured Susan Williamson that she could be discharged on the Saturday after her Wednesday surgery.

Updated: Aug. 12, 2008 11:22 AM | Full story

A special delivery

Chapter 4:When Nancy Chescheir's pager went off on that Saturday morning, she suspected who was calling. Just the day before, she had seen Susan and Jason Williamson in her office for Susan's regular checkup.

Updated: Aug. 12, 2008 11:18 AM | Full story

Apex girl has accolades from Celine Dion, Oprah

Tuesday's segment of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" featured a book of celebrated young people that includes Apex youngster Anna Williamson.

Updated: Oct. 29, 2008 5:16 AM | Full story

Has the state done enough?

A doctor's frustration is shared by those who have fought for a state-supported campaign to promote folic acid use and reduce the state's incidence of neural tube defects.

Updated: Aug. 12, 2008 11:28 AM | Full story

After surgery, baby is thriving

The baby book that Jason and Susan Williamson keep for their daughter, Anna, is filled with the ordinary, happy milestones of infancy: Anna smiling at her parents at two months. Sitting up at six months. Crawling at 10 months.

Updated: Aug. 12, 2008 10:54 AM | Full story

Holly Springs girl featured in book

Anna Williamson, who had fetal surgery to correct spina bifida, is one of 12 children from around the world who are being included in the book, "12 Heroes Among Us."

Updated: Aug. 14, 2008 7:16 AM | Full story
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Expectant parents, Susan and Jason Williamson, learn their baby has spina bifada, a paralyzing birth defect. They agree to have in utero surgery on their unborn child. Listen to the story unfold through conversations and pictures in these slide shows:
Part 1: The Decision
Part 2: Surgery
Part 3: Anticipation
Part 4: Answers

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