Remembering Parker…
Parker James Miller born on January 23, 2007 and became an Angel on January 26, 2007, is one of the angels that John’s Charity is honoring this year.
Here is his story:
On September 29, 2006 we went in for our routine 22 week ultrasound. Our tears of joy from finding out we were having a boy quickly turned to tears of confusion as our son had been diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a complex and rare heart defect present at birth (congenital). Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, means the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped, which requires surgery immediately after birth for any chance of survival. We were told we had two options one was to see the pregnancy through, or the other was to terminate. Termination for us was not an option so we pushed forward. We became educated, joined a support group, and fought for our little boy like no other.
Parker was born January 23, 2007 in Omaha Ne at 9:41 pm. He was blue in color as we knew he would be with his heart condition, and he had so much dark hair. He was then quickly taken to the neo-natal intensive care unit so the doctors could assess the complications of his heart. Shortly after 11 pm that night we received grave news from the doctors. His PDA (patent ductus arterious) was completely closed, they said he was very sick and they needed to perform emergency surgery. They had a few options to attempt to open the PDA, but they did not expect him to live through the night. Just as we began to celebrate his birth our hopes and dreams were dashed once again. We rushed around to get myself a wheel chair and went up to the NICU to see Parker before they took him to surgery. We were able to touch his hands and feet as he laid there. I cannot begin to explain the range of emotions we were going through. He was taken into surgery at approximately 12:30 am January 24,2007. 5 hours later we finally heard the surgery was done. The two attempts at opening the PDA were unsuccessful. We were then finally able to be with Parker in the Pediatric intensive care unit a few hours later. He was hooked up to numerous machines to keep him alive at this point. The most important machine being the ECMO machine, a heart lung machine to help supply his body with oxygenated blood since his heart was not able to do so.
Parker fought so hard for his 3 days on earth with us. We just never received any good news about his condition. They found other complications due to his HLHS. His right lung was also severely underdeveloped which an even greater complication than his heart condition was. There were also concerns with Ultrasounds of Parkers brain that he had sustained brain damage as well. That was the ultimate issue in Parker living. Because the PDA had closed immediately Parker had gone without oxygen to his brain for over an hour. There was some brain activity but not enough that if they performed surgery he would never have woken from. We were ultimately told this on Friday January 26 that Parker would have to be let go. This was so devastating to have to make the decision. We called family and friends who have supported us through our entire experience so everyone could say goodbye. The doctors removed some of his life support so our family could hold him.
Corey and I asked for time alone with, we stayed with him, read him books and told him stories, made sure he knew how proud of him we were. When you are put in a position like this there is NEVER enough time. This was so hard because it was the first and last time we ever got to hold our baby boy. Corey and I both held Parker until he passed away in our arms until the final life support was taken. He did not struggle, and he looked so peaceful, but the memory of him laying there lifeless is forever with us, it is an image no parent should ever have to see. He was the youngest and smallest baby to survive on the ECMO machine for more than 12 hours; right there in itself shows you what a fighter he was. We are beyond blessed to call him our son!
