Hello there!
Just got your information and website from my Aunt Patty. I am glad to see your little girl “dancing”! Indeed waht a miracle! I am part of the Guldan family. I guess I might be Lucys possibly second cousin or so? We had a benefit for my son Gavin and I know the Bansleys were big supporters, about 3 years ago in Chicago. My little Gavin had a heart transplant at 3 months- he is now 4. He is doing well- but as you noted on your site the future is unknown. We rely on medications and doctors for our daily lives with him. Life is good- and we are forever grateful to our donor family. I had thought about emailing the Ellen show numerous times- to promote organ donation and awareness. I wish you luck on Friday-and if she ever decides to include my little miracle as well on her show we would be delighted! If you ever want to contact me I would love to speak to you and your wife! Best wishes with that little Doll!
Much love,
Heather Morgan
281-395-0815
I happened to be watching Ellen when your segment came on and suprised me because I felt like I was watching myself on television & honestly couldn’t quite believe the words coming out of your mouth — it felt like I was making it happen as I was watching you! I instantly wanted to be in touch with you and Lucy because of how unbelievably similar our cirumstances have been over the past three months.
My husband Brian and I live in South Boston, MA and found out on October 23rd at 20 weeks during our first pregnancy that our baby had pulmonary atresia (CHD) and the folks at Children’s Hospital Boston gave us the run down on the major struggles both we and our baby were going to face once the baby was born. On March 4th, we gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, who we named Haven, and on March 8th she had her first heart surgery (BT Shunt). Unfortunately, while she was in surgery they had to put her on ECMO (life support) so I can relate to how scared you and Lucy must have been when they had to perform emergency CPR on Barbara. After a week on ECMO and a month in the ICU, we finally were able to take Haven home on April 7th.
Since April 7th we are doing everything we can at home to beef up our little monkey so she is ready for her next surgery. She just passed the 10lb marker, is cooing, laughing, and blinking those big blue eyes — and no one knows better than you guys how awesome that is after being so still and so silent while in the hospital.
I’m telling you all this because my husband and I are literally in the same boat as you and Lucy and it’s hard sometimes to find other parents who can relate to what we are going through. You and Lucy seem to have the same can-do positive attitude that Brian and I share and while we continue to put one foot in front of the other, laughing, smiling, and enjoying every moment we have with Haven each and everyday we too face another surgery later this year and potentially a third surgery when Haven is two years old. It was really moving for me to watch your segment and to hear your story because we basically have the same photographs you showed — just with Brian, Haven and I in them instead of you Lucy, and Barbara. Pretty amazing.
We, too enjoy literally each and every little thing Haven does — and while she hasn’t mastered the roll over like Miss Barbara just yet — we think she’s close. We might even show her Barbara’s technique on You Tube and see if she can pick-up any helpful pointers from your superstar.
I was super impressed with your interview on Ellen, your amazing wife, and how pulled together and positive you guys are about everything — when we literally know for a fact — what you are going through at home. Barbara and Haven are totally amazing and just like you said, the strongest people any of us will probably ever meet in all our lives.
I just wanted to reach out to you and make sure you and Lucy know that Brian and I will be thinking of you guys and of Barbara as we all move forward on this journey together, staying as positive and hopeful as we can and continually learning and being amazed by what these two little ladies are capable of….
Thank you for sharing your story on Ellen — and please thank her for me to — I hope she realizes just how much it meant to a first time mother like me at home to not feel so alone under these special circumstances — seeing you and Lucy yesterday gave me the boost I needed to get through another day.
Be sure to tell Barbara how fabulous I think she is — I hope we all get the opportunity to meet one another someday!
I just came across this website, after watching the episode of you on Ellen posted to Youtube.
You are not alone. I am 42 yrs old and was born with a several CHD’s. I am also the Membership Director for a group called Hypoplastic Right Hearts. We currenlty have almost 700 members. 14 of those are adults, such as myself, and the rest are parents of children (ranging in age from soon-to-be-born thru 18 or 21) with all similar defects.
Please fell free to check out our site http://www.hypoplasticrighthearts.org and join us. We would love to have you and It’s a great place for sharing experiences and hearing about what to expect (from the parents of the older children) and teaching what to expect (from the parents of younger or soon-to-be-born children).
Saw you on Ellen today so came to check out your blog!! Your first entry is just amazing and captures those first feelings to a tee!!!Sure brought me back to those first months!!! My son was born with Transposition and had his first surgery at 5 hrs old and then his open heart at 12 days…he spent 2 months in the hospital due to complications but is now a happy and healthy 5 yr old!! So nice to see that you have teamed up with Saving Little Hearts!!! CHD’s need all the exposure they can get!!! I wish your sweet baby girl well and cherish her!!! So great to share your story on Ellen!! LOOOOVVVVE her!!!
Hello there!
Just got your information and website from my Aunt Patty. I am glad to see your little girl “dancing”! Indeed waht a miracle! I am part of the Guldan family. I guess I might be Lucys possibly second cousin or so? We had a benefit for my son Gavin and I know the Bansleys were big supporters, about 3 years ago in Chicago. My little Gavin had a heart transplant at 3 months- he is now 4. He is doing well- but as you noted on your site the future is unknown. We rely on medications and doctors for our daily lives with him. Life is good- and we are forever grateful to our donor family. I had thought about emailing the Ellen show numerous times- to promote organ donation and awareness. I wish you luck on Friday-and if she ever decides to include my little miracle as well on her show we would be delighted! If you ever want to contact me I would love to speak to you and your wife! Best wishes with that little Doll!
Much love,
Heather Morgan
281-395-0815
Dear Tom, Lucy, & Barbara:
I happened to be watching Ellen when your segment came on and suprised me because I felt like I was watching myself on television & honestly couldn’t quite believe the words coming out of your mouth — it felt like I was making it happen as I was watching you! I instantly wanted to be in touch with you and Lucy because of how unbelievably similar our cirumstances have been over the past three months.
My husband Brian and I live in South Boston, MA and found out on October 23rd at 20 weeks during our first pregnancy that our baby had pulmonary atresia (CHD) and the folks at Children’s Hospital Boston gave us the run down on the major struggles both we and our baby were going to face once the baby was born. On March 4th, we gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, who we named Haven, and on March 8th she had her first heart surgery (BT Shunt). Unfortunately, while she was in surgery they had to put her on ECMO (life support) so I can relate to how scared you and Lucy must have been when they had to perform emergency CPR on Barbara. After a week on ECMO and a month in the ICU, we finally were able to take Haven home on April 7th.
Since April 7th we are doing everything we can at home to beef up our little monkey so she is ready for her next surgery. She just passed the 10lb marker, is cooing, laughing, and blinking those big blue eyes — and no one knows better than you guys how awesome that is after being so still and so silent while in the hospital.
I’m telling you all this because my husband and I are literally in the same boat as you and Lucy and it’s hard sometimes to find other parents who can relate to what we are going through. You and Lucy seem to have the same can-do positive attitude that Brian and I share and while we continue to put one foot in front of the other, laughing, smiling, and enjoying every moment we have with Haven each and everyday we too face another surgery later this year and potentially a third surgery when Haven is two years old. It was really moving for me to watch your segment and to hear your story because we basically have the same photographs you showed — just with Brian, Haven and I in them instead of you Lucy, and Barbara. Pretty amazing.
We, too enjoy literally each and every little thing Haven does — and while she hasn’t mastered the roll over like Miss Barbara just yet — we think she’s close. We might even show her Barbara’s technique on You Tube and see if she can pick-up any helpful pointers from your superstar.
I was super impressed with your interview on Ellen, your amazing wife, and how pulled together and positive you guys are about everything — when we literally know for a fact — what you are going through at home. Barbara and Haven are totally amazing and just like you said, the strongest people any of us will probably ever meet in all our lives.
I just wanted to reach out to you and make sure you and Lucy know that Brian and I will be thinking of you guys and of Barbara as we all move forward on this journey together, staying as positive and hopeful as we can and continually learning and being amazed by what these two little ladies are capable of….
Thank you for sharing your story on Ellen — and please thank her for me to — I hope she realizes just how much it meant to a first time mother like me at home to not feel so alone under these special circumstances — seeing you and Lucy yesterday gave me the boost I needed to get through another day.
Be sure to tell Barbara how fabulous I think she is — I hope we all get the opportunity to meet one another someday!
Molly Foley
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/FoleyBaby
mollygog@hotmail.com
617.794.0574
South Boston, MA
Tom, Lucy and Barbara,
I just came across this website, after watching the episode of you on Ellen posted to Youtube.
You are not alone. I am 42 yrs old and was born with a several CHD’s. I am also the Membership Director for a group called Hypoplastic Right Hearts. We currenlty have almost 700 members. 14 of those are adults, such as myself, and the rest are parents of children (ranging in age from soon-to-be-born thru 18 or 21) with all similar defects.
Please fell free to check out our site http://www.hypoplasticrighthearts.org and join us. We would love to have you and It’s a great place for sharing experiences and hearing about what to expect (from the parents of the older children) and teaching what to expect (from the parents of younger or soon-to-be-born children).
Hello Tom, Lucy and Baby Barbara
Saw you on Ellen today so came to check out your blog!! Your first entry is just amazing and captures those first feelings to a tee!!!Sure brought me back to those first months!!! My son was born with Transposition and had his first surgery at 5 hrs old and then his open heart at 12 days…he spent 2 months in the hospital due to complications but is now a happy and healthy 5 yr old!! So nice to see that you have teamed up with Saving Little Hearts!!! CHD’s need all the exposure they can get!!! I wish your sweet baby girl well and cherish her!!! So great to share your story on Ellen!! LOOOOVVVVE her!!!
Richele