ABOUT NATHAN:
This page is very important to me. Please sign the guest book and let me know
what you think of my homepage. Thank you for visiting. Come again soon!
You are listening to the song "FLY" by Celine Dion.
This song played at Nathan's funeral in memory of him.
These awards were just presented to this page on March 20, 2002!!!
Here is poem in memory of Nathan, it has been five years since his death.
Five years have come and gone,
And we shed another tear
For a son, a brother, and a friend
Who is missed more and more each year.
Still we hold you in our hearts,
And still we question why...
Why God has taken you away,
Why you had to die.
Still with questions left unanswered
And hearts broken into two;
Today is not a day to cry,
But a day to remember you.
Remembering your strength
We think of you and smile
Knowing how you fought so hard
To stay for such a short while.
So help us to let you rest in peace,
Remind us of your love...
Continue to look down on us
From your home now up above.
And maybe soon it will be easier,
Maybe soon we can move on
The pain may slowly fade away
And we can accept that you are gone.
Your heart is mended now
Your pain is in the past
With angels up in Heaven
Is where you found Peace At Last!
PEACE AT LAST
My name is Heather Artz and I am making this homepage in memory of my brother Nathan Allen Artz. Nathan was born on October 23, 1981 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville,Pennsylvania. My mother tells everyone that from the day she had Nathan until the day he died he was always in a hurry. "He came out so fast that the doctor just barely caught him!" A few minutes later the doctor uttered the dreadful words "We need to talk to the both of you". A heart murmur he said - Nothing to worry about. A few hours later they transferred my brother to the cardiac unit at Hershey Medical Center where he was surrounded by heart machines and tubes everywhere. I don't remember much of this - I was only six then!
The doctor's at Hershey diagnosed Nathan with a rare heart disorder known as Ebstein's Anomaly. They told us that with medication he should lead a fairly normal life. Medication twice a day...Check-up's every few months...everything going good. Nathan was your "normal" little boy. Playing, laughing, crying, fighting with me - Normal brother/sister relationship. If you didn't know Nathan you wouldn't even know he had a heart problem. At age three he learned to ride a bike, and by five he had found himself his life's hobby. There a grassy field down the hill from our home where some older gentlemen would fly r/c model airplanes. This interested Nathan so much that these guys took him under "their wings" and "taught him to fly". By age seven he was flying with the big boys.
Around that age also there was a big scare with Nathan. He wasn't his normal "hurry up" self, so my mother took him right to our local doctor. His heart rate had sky-rocketed to beat at over .
He was rushed to Hershey ICU and stabilized. He was forced to grow up fast...At seven left alone in the hospital overnight. By the time he was in third grade he would call home almost everyday with the words "There goes my heart again" - so run to Hershey we would. In 1991 his heart again raced at over 200bpm and this time they had to shock him twice to bring it back to a normal rhythm. His heart was quickly deteriorating and in 1993 when he was eleven years old a pacemaker had to be implanted to stablize his condition.At this point his heart was functioning normally at the top portion of his heart, but the bottom section was barely functioning. In June of 1995, only as a precaution, we made the trip to the Childrens Hospital in Pittsburg. Here he was placed on list B for a heart transplantation. In January of 1997, he was placed on the heart list at Hershey since they were now doing Pediatric transplants there. His heart was still functioning at a high normal rate so the need was not thought to be urgent. He even had a check-up just three weeks prior to his death.
Nathan led a good life. He played little league baseball from ages seven to
twelve, rode his bike with his friends, swam, went to church, and besides he had
his love of flying model r/c planes. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and he
was a member of our local cub scout pack. He received numerous awards during
his time in cub scouts including the God and Country Award and the Arrow of
Light. He also enjoyed delivering our local newspaper (The Pottsville
Republican) throughout our small town of Orwin. In fact when Nathan was
only ten years old he won the GRAND PRIZE OF $1,000 dollars
in the paper's word scrambler contest!! With some of
these winnings he purchased himself two new model airplanes to fly. In fact,
he was still carrying the Pottsville Republican at the time of his death.
Routine trips to Hershey and pacemaker checks didn't slow him down one
bit! Hershey Medical Center became his home away from home. He made many
lifelong friends there with the staff. Actually, he looked forward to
spending a week there each summer updating his tests and medications. They
spoiled him rotten and he loved every minute of it!!!
Pictures of Nathan:
Nathan's First Year of Baseball
Nathan's Last Year of Baseball
"HIS DISEASE"
Nathan had a rare congenital heart defect known as Ebstein's Anomaly. Ebstein's
is an abnormal formation of the tricuspid valve of the heart. This valve is
located between the upper and lower chambers of the right side of the heart.
This is a very rare defect, it accounts for less than
of all congenital heart defects!
While there is still free blood flow forward across the tricuspid valve to
the right ventrical, the deformed valve allows blood to flow backwards into the
ventrical when the heart contracts or beats. This greatly decreases the efficiency
of the heart muscle.
People suffering with Ebstein's Anomaly are at a great risk for getting an
infection of the heart valve known as endocarditis. Patients with this defect
need to take huge amounts of antibiotics before certain medical/surgical and
any dental procedures.
Irregular and fast heart beat frequently accomany this condition. Life
expectancy, I just dicovered, is placed at 10-20 years with death due to
right-sided heart failure. Nathan lived to the age of 15yrs. and 5 months,
dying of heart failure on March 21, 1997.
Medications:
We have had alot of questions from other parents of children with Ebstein's asking
what medication Nathan was on. So to the best of our knowledge we compiled
the list.
From the day he was born until June of 1990 Nathan was taking a medication
called Lanoxin (Digoxin). This medication was started out on a low dosage and
was increased as he grew. Lanoxin is used to increase cardiac output in patients
with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
In June of 1990 when he was hospitalized the doctors put him on a new medication
called Tenormin (Atenolol). This was his first episode with his rapid
heart rate. Tenormin is used to decrease the heart rate.
Nathan was 8 years old at the time. His dosage
kept being increased but his arrythmia's continued. In fact by this time he
was in third grade and calling home from the nurses office almost every day
saying "there goes my heart again" meaning that his heart rate was going very fast.
Well the Tenormin apparently wasn't working so in May of 1991 he was again
hospitalized at a heart rate of over 200 beats per minute. They subsequently
had to shock Nathan three times to bring his heart rate back into normal range.
The doctor's were puzzled and we were told that to their knowledge nothing
like this had ever happened to a patient diagnosed with Ebstien's Anomaly
before. They couldn't understand why his heart rate would sky rocket, stay
there for so long, and be so hard to bring back under control.
The doctor's a Hershey Med. then put Nathan on a combination of Mexiletine HCL
and Quindine Gluconate. Mexiletine is used to increase the electrical stimulation of the
ventricle of the heart and stabilize the cardiac membrane. Quindine prolongs the
action and potential duration of the heart thus decreasing myocardial excitability.
This medication is also used in patients with atrial fibrillation, ventrical
tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and atrial dysrhythmias.
This combination of meds worked for about a year, but in June of 1992 he was put
back in the hospital for yet another heart catherization. By this time his
heart was becoming increasingly enlarged and his ventrical function was
weakening. Therefore the doctor's decided to try a Beta Blocker called
Vasotec (Enalaprilat). Vasotec is used to dialate the arterial venous vessels.
It is used in patient's with Hypertension and Congestive Heart Failure.
In September of 1992 we were back in the hospital again to change him over to
a new medication called Amiodarone HCL (Cordarone). Amiodarone is used to
prolong the action and potential duration of the heart. It is used in patient's
with severe ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular
fibrillation not controlled by first-line agents. We were given a list of
possible side effects, but the only one he really experienced was that his
heart rate went too slow at times. One of the other side effects was
photosensitivity and a blue skin dicoloration. I remember I used to tease
him not to stay outside too long in the sun or he would look like a "smurf"!
Back and forth to Hershey almost every month by this time until finally they
decided that Nathan should have a pacemaker implanted. This was done on
March 1993 a few days after we experienced that huge Blizzard of 1993!! Well
things FINALLY seemed to be going well. Check-up's every two months and the
Amiodarone has stopped the enlargement of his heart. The doctor's assured
us that everything would run smoothly now and that he may need a transplant
in 20-30 years. Wow...Long time away...no need to worry now.
He wasn't hospitalized for the next two years until April of 1995 when they
decided to do another heart catherization. It was determined that the ventricles
(the bottom half of his heart) of his heart were barely beating. Nathan was
stabilized and sent to Pittsburgh Children's Hospital to have some tests done
and be put on the Heart Transplant List B. Wait a minute I though the doctor's
said 20-30 years....It has only been TWO!!! Everyone was devastated.
At this time he was put on three more medications in addition to the
Vasotec and Amiodarone. Lanoxin was added again as well a Diuril and Coumadin.
Diuril is a water pill, it increases your urine output. Coumadin is a blood
thinner. This medication is used in Myocardial Infarction, artial dysrhythmias,
and pulmonary emboli.
At the time of his death Nathan was still on all FIVE of these medications.
POETRY ABOUT NATHAN: Written by Heather Artz
Here is a link about Nathan that my mother's friends
created in memory of him for us. It includes a poem that
my mother wrote and several other poems. Please
check it out.
A bout all the problems
T hat life had thrown
H is way
A lways in our hearts
N ever to be forgotten!
"EMPTY CHAIRS"
Empty chairs to remind us of those we lost along the way
Those who cannot be here on this, our graduation day
God felt that their work here on earth was through
Though I am sure their spirit is here today with all of you
He called them home much too soon -- they had much more to give
To laugh and love, hope and dream -- much more life to live
Memories are left with us to keep within our hearts
To keep them close beside us while we are apart
Empty chairs among us, but not forgotten friends
High school may be over, but friendship never ends!
Dedicated to Nathan Artz and Mandy Pillar (who died in a car accident
on July 25, 1999)
Both would have been members of the CLASS OF 2000!!!!!
"I ALWAYS WILL"
Two years have past since you said "good-bye"
And still I often sit and cry.
Remembering your love and smiling face
A hole left in my heart -- A dark empty place.
I still talk to you as if you were still here
And sometimes I can even feel you near.
Your soul still treads here in this place
Though we don't hear your voice or see your face.
You still watch and help and see us through
Your spirit lingers here and I know it is you.
Still asking the question "WHY?"
Why someone so young had to die?
Two years have passed and I think of you still
Surely as long as I breathe - I always will!
"GONE TO BE AN ANGEL"
Fifteen years seems so few,
To accomplish all he needed to do.
But Nathan gave all he could and so much more;
Never slowing down, though life was a chore.
Always doing more than he could;
Always helping more than he should.
Never about what others had to say,
But to prove to himself that he could live another day.
If only we knew that this night would be his last;
We would have done more before he had passed.
Asleep so silent - And never to wake...
For God had chosen this night for his soul to take.
He has gone to be an angel- In a world of no suffering and pain;
And until we meet again...There with God he will remain.
"RETURN HOME"
Wings of doves carried his soul that morn;
To a land of peace and happiness
Where pain has no place
And worries are no more
Wearing angel wings now is he
As the sun shown its beams over the mountains
And the dew sets its cool mist on the green grass
He passed peacefully while he slept
Unaware were we
His scent still lingers throughout our home
His room left untouched
Memories with everything we do and see
Not a day without the thought of him
Hours turn to days, soon weeks have passed by
Time hasn't stopped...YET!
Beyond the clouds
Past the stars
A new home was made for him
Live with him again will I
When my job is finished here
And I return home!
"BROTHER"
A younger brother is one you can always count on;
To tattle to your parents when you have done something wrong.
You yell and you scream - You argue and fight
But your brother is still your brother and you make things right
He'll get you into trouble, just so he won't get the blame;
You say you hate him, but you love him just the same.
He is still there as the years pass on by,
To share all your secrets, to laugh, and to cry.
A "Good-Morning" as the sun shines its light;
"See-Ya Tomorrow" as the day turns to night
Those words still ring clearly in my head....
Morning never came - He died in his bed.
Your brother's still your brother, and although mine is gone,
Nathan's alive in my heart - Where he will always live on!
"HERE WITHOUT YOU"
Tears still fill my eyes
Whenever I hear your name
Ever since you left us
Things are not the same!
The sun still rises and sets
Days still come and go
But how I will ever go on without you
I will never know!
One day at a time
Hold each moment within your heart
Tomorrow may never arrive
And we are forced to part
Each word precious
Each touch divine
Today and Tomorrow
'Till the end of time
Memories fill each day with happiness
Even though my heart is breaking in two;
Because God called you home
And I am alone now - Here Without You!
"A BRAVE HEART"
A brave heart had he
Courage beyond all that is real and imagined
The strength of God he carried beneath his breast
Every day of his life
Accomplishing goal after goal
Dreams became reality
Nothing seemed too difficult
A challenge only made him stronger
A brave heart had he!
A brave heart had he
However ailing since birth
His heart was weak and dying
Courage through the worst
Strength every day
Always trying to acheive one more dream
to live life to the fullest,
before the end came.
Fighting to live
Courage in death
A brave heart had he!
"MY BEST FRIEND"
Today - A year ago -
Your pain ceased;
You flew home to God -
Found love and peace
Tears flowed hard -
Hearts tore in two
Not believing that
We could have lost you.
Sometimes it feels like only yesterday
The pain runs deep into my soul;
Many say they understand -
But few could truly know
You fought so hard to live
Giving all that you could;
Never giving in -
When others thought you would
A boy, only fifteen, but wise beyond his age
Held strong 'till the very end;
I lost a brother, yes, but more importantly
I lost my best friend.
ALL ABOUT ME!
Click Here To Learn About Me -- HEATHER
On March 21, 1997 my brother passed away while he slept.
My mother, Rana, had gone to wake him for school that morning before she would leave for work. He didn't answer when she called up the stairs, so she went into his room to awaken him. That is when she found him, lying life-less in his bed. My father and fiancee quickly ran to see what she was screaming for and found the same. No CPR was tried, he was life-less and they concluded there was no hope in reviving him. The coroner was called and his body was taken just minutes before I arrived home to a house-full of neighbors, family, and friends.
Over 100 children and friends from his school attended the funeral service. As many as 400 people total (friends, family, neighbors,and aquainatances) came to pay their last respects to my brother. Many brought flowers and some even placed small model planes in the coffin with him. I read my poem about Nathan - GONE TO BE AN ANGEL. I didn't think I would be able to get through it, but somehow I did. "FLY", a song by Celine Dion played in memory of Nathan during the service.
After Nathan's death my parents used the monies donated in memory of him into
a scholarship fund at his school.
The Williams Valley High School has presented
FIVE scholarships to business students in memory of Nathan.
They were presented to:
(1) Eric Underkoffler (1997)
(2) Heather Schreiner (1998)
(3) LeAnn Whitcomb (1999)
(4) Eugene Sattler (2000)
(5) Amanda Gilbert (2000)
In May, we received a phone call informing us that the Porter Tower Recreation League (Little League Baseball) would like to present an unsung hero trophy in memory of our son, Nathan Artz, if it were okay with us. OKAY ??? We were both shocked and ecstatic all at once!!!!!!
Here it is over 2 years after Nathan's death in 1997, and people other than his family were still thinking of him!! This was just unbelievable!!
Well on July 18, 1999, this trophy became a reality as we presented the trophy in memory of Nathan to Andrew Bush, son of Kevin & April Bush.
Although we will never be over the shock of Nathan's untimely death, we feel so lucky to be living in the Porter Tower area --- This small community is the BEST and everyone feels like a big extended family. Knowing so many people still care helps to ease the pain of losing a child. We are truly blessed to be living in a small community.
So in closing, we would like to extend a special THANK YOU to Mike Leiter & everyone else that is involved with the P.T. Recreation League for making this trophy possible thus allowing Nathan's memory to continue to live on. We are still finding out everyday just how many people he touched in his short life.
SMALL TOWN LIVING IS DEFINETLY THE BEST and we thank everyone for their continuous support.
The memorial trophy was presented again for the second year on July 23, 2000 to Daniel Schoffstall, son of Michelle & Robert Schoffstall.
The Spanish Club at W.V. also had numerous fund raisers such as a car wash and
two spanish markets in order to raise money to buy library books in memory of
Nathan. The late Ms. Cynthia Shaffer, Spanish club advisor, took great care in choosing
books that would reflect Nathan's interest and love of airplanes and flying.
They are:
Blue Angels
Legends of Flight
East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Ehrhart
Destination Mars
Smithsonian Guides: Spaceflight
Smithsonian Guides: Aviation
The National Air and Space Museum
Paper Flight
The Handy Weather Answer Book
Charles A. Lindbergh: A Human Hero
The Smithsonian Book of Flight
America's Smithsonian: Celebrating 150 Years
Links to Friends who have also lost a child:
Maria's Tribute to Christopher
March 17, 2002!!!!
Katie Bohr
Without her help this page would have never been possible. I thank her from the
bottom of my heart for always answering my e-mails asking her to explain what
I was doing wrong and how to fix my mistakes.
Thank you Katie for caring about this page as I do. You were a great friend
to Nathan and I am sure he would appreciate you helping his computer -
illiterate sister keep his memory alive. Thank you so much, you are a great
friend!
Check out her website at Katie's Homepage
Loss of a Child - Death and Dying Net links
E-mail me with any questions or comments...I love to hear your stories and/or feedback about this page.
I am in the process of adding more graphics and images to this page to help to update it more.
E-mail me at heb29@epix.net
Thanks
