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Arthur Collett

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At our 32 week scan, Lynn and I received the worst news that expecting parents could. Our son had an aneurysm on his brain known as a Vein of Galen Malformation. We were quickly referred to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where the diagnosis was confirmed, and a plan put in place to give our little boy the best chance to have a happy, healthy life.

Initially our little man defied expectations. His heart was enlarged and the doctors feared he would have to be delivered soon, but scan after scan showed him steady and coping. Instead of being born at 34 weeks, he made it all the way to the end of the 36th.

Arthur Stuart Collett was born February 9th 2018 at 11:38am.  He passed the first test, his heart managed the load, and, though his respiratory and heart rates were high, he seemed to be coping.

Day 2 came around and the heart rate and respiratory rate were dropping, which seemed like a good sign; his MRI came back and blood was flowing to all the necessary parts of the brain. No initial brain damage had been detected. However, the malformation was much larger and more complicated than initially diagnosed, one of the most complicated that CHOP had ever seen, and Arthur would have a fight on his hands.

By Day 3 his heart rate and respiratory rate had stabilized in the normal range, high normal admittedly but normal. The neonatologist were pleased with his progress, and discussions were had about potentially removing the breathing tubes.

On Day 4, things took a turn for the worst. Arthur had struggled through the night and the physicians attending had noticed puffiness in his legs, a sign that his heart was failing. An echocardiogram confirmed our worst fears. The pressure on Arthur's heart, caused by the malformation in his brain, was too great, almost 3 times the pressure that should be passing through it.  Lynn and I consulted with his team of doctors and were told the news that no parent wants to hear, our son had only the smallest hope of survival.

On February 13th, Arthur's breathing and IV tubes were removed. The doctors made him comfortable, and he was handed to us so that we could hold him during a process that could last hours, or even days. In fact, just 15 minutes after his support was removed Arthur slipped peacefully away in Lynn's arms.

Throughout all of this process the support shown to us has been incredible. A lot of people have asked us if they can help in any way. Due to the complicated nature of Arthur's condition, the travel and testing required, and Lynn having to stay in Philadelphia, this has been an enormous burden on us financially. We are asking for help to meet our medical and funeral costs. If we are able to meet that goal, any further funds raised in this campaign would be donated to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; the care we received there was incredible and we are more grateful than we could ever express for everything they did for Lynn and Arthur. We want to ensure that Arthur has a legacy and if in some way we can help that incredible institution, we would like to.


Thank you for everything, and for being there for us.


With Love,

Adam and Lynn Collett.

Donations 

  • Joe Grieco
    • $55 
    • 6 yrs

Organizer

Adam Collett
Organizer
Delmar, NY

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