Our hearts have broken into a million pieces, Isabella Marie has made her way back to our ultimate home with our Creator. She passed from this life on Tuesday, March 23, 2016 around 7:15 am. We knew this day would come when she would no longer be here with us. We are not angry because we know she is at peace, and surrounded by all the saints and angels, as she joins them in watching over us.  For the first time in four years she will rest without fear, without pain, without discomfort.


Isabella’s story began a little over 4 years ago, on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.  The day started with overwhelming joy.  She was a beautiful baby girl. Several hours after her delivery a nurse became concerned that something was not right.  Things began happening very quickly.  Isabella was baptized and then whisked away loaded into a Life Flight helicopter and was transferred to Children’s Memorial Herman Hospital.  Dad followed close behind and mom had to stay behind to recover from the delivery.  Mom remained in the hospital for an agonizing three days until she was finally able to be at Isabella’s side.

Then came the very sad news, which would be a major life changing event, our baby was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).  This is a complex and rare heart defect present at birth; the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped.  Along with HLHS, Isabella was also diagnosed with Turners Syndrome, a Dysplastic right kidney and Hypothyroidism.   


Isabella’s heart had to be fixed first.  Treatment for HLHS requires either a three-step surgical procedure or a heart transplant.  The doctors performed the first-step, open heart surgery called the Norwood procedure  when Isabella was 8 days old, on August 25, 2011.  The procedure lasted about 5 hours; again, an eternity of waiting for an outcome.  The procedure went well and we were told the recovery would take anywhere from six weeks to three months.  Mom never left her baby's side during this time.  Dad tried to continue to work and to keep the household running, going between the hospital, work, home, and back to the hospital night and day.

We knew we had a little fighter when Isabella was able to go home before her one month birthday.  Home became a hospital away from the hospital.  There were medicines, oxygen, needles, and tubes; you name it and it was there.   Isabella was taking medication multiple times a day, along with nightly growth hormone injections.  Mom did not go back to work; Isabella needed way too much care.  Money was very tight and the bills were mounting up.  Isabella was in and out of the real hospital many, many times that first year, and yes, Thanksgiving and Easter were spent there too. 


The second open heart surgery, called the Glenn procedure, was on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2012, when Isabella was six months old.  After another five hours of waiting, the surgery is deemed a success.  
Isabella was able to go home six days later, to her hospital away from the hospital.   Many more days and sleepless nights were spent in the real hospital that next year, but her family was grateful for the wonderful care. The days and nights passed and became weeks and months and then years.  

September 30, 2015 was the date set for Isabella's third and final open heart surgery; a little over a month after her fourth birthday. However, because of the pressure in the heart, her surgery could not take place. Isabella received a pacemaker in her abdomen instead.

The next six months were spent in and out of the hospital, mostly from gastrointestinal bleeding and other complications. Isabella had to get healthier to be placed on a heart transplant list. Her name was never put on that list. She was never evaluated for a new heart. Her heart stopped beating before an evaluation could take place. She fought her way through four years in and out of emergency rooms and hospital beds. Isabella was a fighter until the very end. Her silence is deafening…

Thank you my love, my little one, for giving us the best four years of our lives.  We miss you so very much…..


Isabella’s corneas were donated.  Her beautiful eyes will live on in another child and that child will  see the world Isabella lived in.

You are blessed when you feel you have lost what is most dear to you. It is then when you can fully accept the embrace of the One most dear to you. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." - Matthew 5:4