Zackary is loved and missed by
Parents Krista and Louis, Big Brothers Nickolas
and Christian, Mema, Papa, Great-Grandma, Pepa,
Pap, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Zackary’s Story
Zackary’s story begins in the first few months of 2004, when he was conceived. The pregnancy was going smoothly overall, but I could not shake the feeling that something was not right. At 20 weeks we learned why. A routine ultrasound showed a heart defect, and we were sent to a perinatologist for a level 2 ultrasound. That test, and a fetal echocardiogram done by a pediatric cardiologist, confirmed it. Our baby boy had an atrioventricular septal defect, which is basically a hole in the heart where the four chambers connect. We were told that it was one of the most common types of heart defects, and would be fully repairable with surgery. We were also told that this type of defect was also very common in children with Down Syndrome, and were given the option of more testing to check for that. We declined, knowing that we would love our child regardless of his chromosomal make-up. The remainder of the pregnancy involved almost weekly doctor visits, many ultrasounds, non-stress tests and worry. Zackary was not growing as much as he should have been. At 33 weeks I was put on complete bed rest, so all of my energy and calories would go to him. However, during the next few weeks, his weigh gain was minimal, and he wasn’t doing as well on the non-stress tests. At 35 weeks, we were told that, while he was not in any immediate danger, the doctors wanted to deliver him before something went wrong in utero. I was scheduled for a c-section the following day, and Lou and I went home for a sleepless night, hopeful and terrified of what would happen.
The c-section went well, and, much to our relief, Zackary came out crying at the top of his little lungs, the most wonderful sound we ever heard. He weighed in at 3 pounds, 1.8 oz, and was 15” long. He looked so tiny, but he was beautiful. The neonatologist was fairly certain after seeing him that he had Down Syndrome, and blood work was taken for confirmation. We got to hold him for a few precious moments, then he was taken to the NICU, where he did very well. He was breathing on his own, and after an hour needed no additional oxygen. We went to the NICU from the recovery room and spent about an hour with him. Because of his heart, the decision was made to transfer him to the NICU at Columbus Children’s Hospital. Thus began our new life with Zackary.
The next three and a half months were full of ups and downs. There were a few big scares, testing for infections, battles with nectrotizing endrocolotis (NEC), feeding issues, and three surgeries. There were moments of joy, dressing him for the first time, giving him baths, holding him for hours, celebrating every triumph. We watched the monitors and learned a whole new language of medical terms. Many times we got so close to being able to bring him home, but Zackary, never one to let the NICU staff get lazy, would always do something to prolong his stay. We used to tease the nurses that he didn’t want to leave because they all spoiled him so much there.
Four days before Christmas, Zackary underwent surgery for a pulmonary artery banding. His little lungs were over saturated with blood and his heart couldn’t keep up with it. He was in the beginning stages of congestive heart failure. The surgery was a success, but his recovery was slow and filled with the usual ups and downs. He had great difficulty coming off the ventilator, and was put back on it 24 hours afterward.
The morning of January 7, 2005, we were awakened at 1am by the phone ringing. It was the on duty NNP from the NICU. Zackary’s heart rate had dropped, and they had given him epinephrine and done chest compressions on him, but they had him stabilized. At 3am, the phone rang again. He had dropped his heart rate three more times. We got to the hospital around 3:30 and watched as this pattern continued for another three hours. His heart rate would drop about every 20 to 30 minutes, they would give him epinephrine, and do chest compressions, and he would come back up. The doctor pulled out drugs he said he hadn’t used in years trying to save him. At 6:30am the doctor turned to us and said “This isn’t working.”, and we knew we had to let him go. The nurses wrapped him up, and I held him in my arms, Lou’s arms around us both. I told him I loved him, and that it was alright for him to go. He became an angel at 6:50am.
The nurses and other NICU staff cried with us. They became our second family during the three and half months of Zackary’s life, and they took turns coming in to say goodbye. Six of them came to his funeral.
We said our final farewells four days later. His big brother Nickolas wrote a small letter and read it aloud. Beautiful lullabies were sung. We shared tears, hugs, smiles and laughs. The heavens opened up and cried with us when we got to the cemetery.
Zackary’s life was short, but his impact was so strong, and he touched so many. He was a fighter who taught us the meaning of courage. He was brave and feisty. He was loved by all. Most of all, he was our baby boy. He will forever be our angel.
Thank you
Thank you for the gift of you.
You gave us hope by just being you.
After the hurting and healing are through,
We’ll treasure most of all the gift of you.
A Thank You to Columbus Children’s Hospital
We cannot express enough our thanks to the NICU staff for the loving care they always gave to Zackary, and for the kindness and compassion they always gave to us. They will be forever in our hearts.
  
Zackary's Old Guestbook
This web site created by: Memorials By Judi
Midi Selection: Fly Little Wing
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