UPDATE: Severely Serious (from 9/23)

nhbillups went on a bit of a rant said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 9:30am ET

Sorry for the lack of information; things have gotten worse than ever. My husband has surgery on 11/13 (Friday the 13th...he's (NOT) thrilled about that) for his cancer to be removed. We scheduled that on Monday morning (10/26). That afternoon, we heard that my stepdaughter had a likely match for a donor heart, so we rushed back up to the hospital. Surgery was scheduled for around midnight Monday night. Every report during surgery was great. They brought her back up to the pediatric ICU and then we waited awhile to see her, but then it was almost 5 am and we'd been up since the previous morning so DH and I headed home to sleep. While we were driving home, her heart suddenly stopped. The doctors performed CPR and reopened her chest in the PICU room. Turns out her aorta tore and then the new heart was damaged by the chest compressions. She was put on ECMO (life support) to be kept alive but after neurological tests were done, she was found to have no brain activity at all because her brain hadn't had enough blood supply during the emergency to sustain itself. She was unhooked from machines yesterday and passed away at 12:02 PM EST. we are all going today to make final arrangements for her.

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dave said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 9:43am ET:

I'm very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what you must be going through right now. You and your family will be in our thoughts.

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mfladd said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 9:51am ET:

I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.

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KittySprinkles said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 9:57am ET:

I am so truly sorry to see this. You and yours will be in my thoughts. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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carl669 said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 10:00am ET:

so sorry to hear this. my family's thoughts and prayers are with you.

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Pavlov said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 10:10am ET:

May the care and love of those surrounding you assist you in what I can only imagine will be the most difficult of days ahead. My sincere condolences.

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- @Pavlov To be clear, my stars here are to say thank you for putting this into better words than I can. The idea of this loss leaves me stumbling for words.
  
  KittySprinkles said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 10:56am ET
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editorkid said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 10:15am ET:

This is heartbreaking. My condolences for your loss; my thoughts will be with you.

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brhfl said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 10:28am ET:

Very sorry to hear of your loss. You have my thoughts and condolences.

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cinoclav said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 10:58am ET:

I am so very sorry. Words are never enough to express how sorry we all are for you and your family's loss. Just know that you are in my thoughts and praying the happy memories carry you through these times.

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lumpthar said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 11:12am ET:

Wow. I simply can't imagine what you're going through. That's a bit much to have to process all at once.
Please accept my condolences and well wishes for your family's healing and recovery.

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Kleineleh said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 11:18am ET:

I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.

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narfcake said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 11:32am ET:

:( My condolences. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

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Thumperchick said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 2:35pm ET:

So sorry for your loss.

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christinewas said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 3:56pm ET:

I know that words are little comfort when you have experienced such devastating loss, but I am truly sorry to hear of this. I know that I cannot fully grasp your pain, but I am sitting here in tears after trying to tell my husband what your family has gone through. You will be in my thoughts and I am praying for moments of peace and even joy as you grieve and remember her life.

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dashcloud said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 6:53pm ET:

So sorry to hear about this- my condolences for your loss.

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pooflady said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 8:23pm ET:

I can't begin to imagine what you're going through. I hope you have close family and friends to help you through this and to take one day at a time. Please keep us updated when you have time.

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ceagee said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 8:52pm ET:

So sad to read this update. Sending sympathy to you and yours. (( ))

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thismyusername said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 10:45pm ET:

Sorry for your loss.

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nhbillups said Thu, Oct 29th 2015 at 11:26pm ET:

Thank you so much everyone. I've been keeping busy so I don't have time to think. She was just the sweetest, most special girl. Almost like she was too good to last anyway. She was and will always be so loved. There's nothing to be done about the pain; she was just loved so much it's inescapable. Five months ago we had no idea there was anything wrong with Catherine; so remember to hold your loved ones close. When they say "quit taking pictures already!" Ignore them and keep right on taking them.

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- @nhbillups: Although you and I are strangers, my heart hurts for you and yours.
  
  magic_cave said Fri, Oct 30th 2015 at 4:06am ET
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Baybay11 said Fri, Oct 30th 2015 at 12:25am ET:

I am so sorry to hear all that you and your family are going through! You will definitely be thought of and remembered in my prayers. Please know there are many, many people sending you love and prayers!

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Kidsandliz said Fri, Oct 30th 2015 at 12:55am ET:

What a devastating tragedy for your family, as if cancer isn't enough to be dealing with. I wish you and your husband strength over the coming days, weeks and months...

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jqubed said Fri, Oct 30th 2015 at 1:01am ET:

I am so sorry for your loss; this is so tragic. I hope better days are heading your way and your husband's surgery goes flawlessly.

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Tears_o_Phoenix said Fri, Oct 30th 2015 at 2:10am ET:

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. What a horrible and devastating experience. I know it's no solace right now, but she will live on through all who knew her, for the influence of a loved one is strongest on those who love them best. Best wishes that your husband comes through his surgery well. I'll be thinking of both of you,

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