Funeral expenses for Carter Rieck

On June 27th, 2020, a warrior was born.

Carter Lee Rieck came into this world, and everything changed, who would of known such a adventure was about to begin.

The night Carter was born, Carter was immediately air lifted to nationwide childrens hospital. At 20 weeks, the anatomy scan showed John and Chelsea something was irregular with Carters heart. Carter was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart defect in infants. HPLS affects approximately 1,025 babies in the US each year. Carter was one of the rarest they had seen here at childrens, they’d never seen a heart quite like his.

At ten days old, John and Chelsea were told, for Carter to have any chance of life, Carter would need a heart transplant. Carter was immediately listed on the national organ transplant list, where he remained at NCH waiting on his special gift. On August 26th, 2020, John and Chelsea received the call, A donor had been accepted for Carter. Carter received his new heart, and within two weeks was going home to meet his siblings for the first time.

Through out the last year, Carter had many bumps in the road while he was recovering at home from his heart transplant. In August of 2021, Carter was making multiple emergency trips to Nationwide Childrens Hospital. After the fifth visit, Carter was finally admitted.

For weeks the teams ran ongoing tests, while Carter went through multiple surgeries, biopsies, CT scans, you name it Carter had it done. On September 8th, Carter was diagnosed with PJP, a lung infection the immune compromised and transplant recipients can contract. Carter was the first case of PJP here at nationwide childrens hospital and the 19th case in the nation in the last 15 years. On September 16th, Carter was placed on life support, a last attempt of saving what health Carter had left. As the weeks went on, Carter continued to decline in his health. In October, John and Chelsea were hit back to back with unimaginable news. Carter had had multiple seizures over the weeks, an infection his right leg causing Carter to have his foot amputated, kidney failure, and more.

On October 13th, Carter underwent a life changing surgery, one that had never been done, let alone on a transplant child in his condition. They were told Carter would never make it thought the surgery, and if he did, make him comfortable it would only be a matter of days. Once again, Carter proved them all wrong. This surgery changed Carters health, and gave his parents a chance over the upcoming weeks to spend as much time with Carter. Everything was unpredictable with Carters health, doctors were never able to really guide us on which way Carter would turn, he like to be in control and write his own book.

Carter continued to have bumps in the road. On December tenth, we thought Carters lungs were ready for extubation. Chelsea and the team crowded as they pulled the breathing ventilator tube from Carters mouth, he had been on the ventilator since September. Sadly, after minutes, his lungs could not handle it and Carter coded. After two minutes of chest compressions and a shot of epinephrine, Carter was back, but this code was a huge set back for Carter and just the beginning of new issues for him. Over the weeks, Carter continued to prove them wrong, but Carter was tiring, he had been through so much. On December 22nd, Chelsea left after a normal visit with Carter, by that evening, the phone calls started.

After a long fight, Carter had developed a infection in his new PD dialysis port. Throughout the days, Carter quickly became septic. On Sunday, Carter went in for another surgery, where they removed the dialysis port. But sadly with the removal of the port, it caused the infection to spread and quickly. The infection had spread through Carters body, causing him to go into organ failure.

It was too late.

John, Chelsea, and Carters siblings entered the halls today of Nationwide childrens hospital one last time. They walked the bravest walk through the heart floor in honor of their warrior, Carter Rieck.

Today, Carter Lee Rieck earned his golden wings. Carter was by far the strongest and bravest soul you’d ever set eyes on, with a smile that could calm you like no other. Through out his 18 months, Carter never once stopped fighting. He showed true strength and

resilience during his short time on this earth.

Throughout Carter’s journey, the Rieck family has been blessed to have such kind people in their lives. John and Chelsea are forever thankful for the generous efforts and time from their family, friends, and the community. Those who have reached out and donated to Carter and the family are met with sincere gratitude. Most importantly, the support received allowed the Riecks to focus on spending time with and making memories with Carter that will be deeply cherished and carried on in their days ahead.

Donations can also be made directly to the funeral home as well, we will update arrangements ASAP.

Thank you in advance to anyone who shares, helps & donations so we can lay this sweet boy to rest.