David went into cardiac arrest at home and was life flighted to Pittsburgh Children's Hospital on September 19th. After arriving he went into cardiac arrest for another 90 minutes in the PICU. The doctors and nurses fought to bring our angel back, but with no luck. He was placed on ECMO, full heart lung life support.
David was doing well the first 18 hours on ECMO, he was responsive to stimulation and it seemed as though the long cardiac arrest had caused little or no brain damage.
On, September 20th while the nurse was doing her assessment, she noticed Davids pupils were not dilating.
He was taken for a CT scan, where they discovered David had suffered a massive stroke, and had a large brain bleed. This came from the large amounts of blood thinners used when someone is on ECMO.
Neurology ran more tests and scans, They informed on the night of the 20th, that David had suffered complete brain death. He would never again be the child we knew. He would never recognize us or even know anyone was there. He would never walk, talk, or play again. The chances of his even being able to sustain life off of ECMO was very thin as he had even lost the part of his brain responsible for survival instincts.
That night me and my husband called our family and friends and told them we were letting David go.
At 4:20 pm on September 21st David was set freeFree to run and play and laugh in heaven. No restrictions, no more medications, no more tubes, wires or machines. He was free.
David Lee-Ray born on December 19th 2008- entered heaven September 21st 2011.
The most glorious 2 years 9 months 2 days 13 hours and 30 minutes of my life.
I'm trying to learn how to live without him.
He will never be forgotten
Rest in piece my handsome little peanut, mommy loves and misses you so.
What a beautiful post, Heather. I'm so heartbroken for your loss. I can't imagine what it's like to lose a child. I will pray for comfort for you as you wait until that wonderful day when you get to have David in your arms again! <3
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