Team Travis: 11/1/2009 Pictures and Updates

Sunday, November 1, 2009

11/1/2009 Pictures and Updates

Late Night Surprise. Travis got off his respirator again tonight at 10:30p.m.

Please pray that he will do fine with out it until next surgery. Getting off of his respirator is a

major step in the right direction. I hope he continues to be strong as the days go on.

Travis had his eyes open for awhile, then as soon as the respirator was off he was bright eyed and looking around

Travis was ready this morning for the Charger Game.
CHARGERS are 2-0 since his birth. Coincidence........I don't think so.

Travis loves mommy holding his hands and head. I pray that Nicole will have the strength
during the day as I start back to work tomorrow. We made a family decision for me to go back
to work to save some of my leave until he has his major surgeries. We are trying to look at the
big picture. Travis will definitely need a major open heart procedure in the next couple of weeks, but also will need another major open heart procedure in February or March. I will hate
leaving my wife and baby Travis for a minute. It will be tough adjusting back to work, but I hope that time flies when I am there and I can get back down to see my baby boy. I hope I can express to my students that they are lucky they are healthy and alive. After being here for just 11 days I have witnessed some good and bad things. The sad that sticks in my mind is the Xavier boy who is overcome with cancer at the age of 9. I saw Xavier's dad again today and could not stop thinking of the pain he must be going through. His son will soon be gone to a better place and am so heartbroken for this dad who has too make the decision no one should ever have to make. Take advantage of what you have because your world can change in a heartbeat.

The San Marcos Knights Football Family dropped off some food, snacks, beverages, and
a lots more today. There are no words to express our gratitude to our family, friends and supporters. A special thank you to Gayle and Kathy for their extra effort. Nicole, Travis and I
feel so lucky to have so many special people around. Thank you so much for all of the support.

4 comments:

Wodzisz FamilyNovember 2, 2009 at 4:05 AM
I am so glad he got off the respirator. He looks so much better without it. You are right about going back to work...it is hard. We are also saving up our vacation time until Hope has her next surgery. You all continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
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AnonymousNovember 2, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Praise GOD he looks GREAT! It's our joy to pray for him and both of you! Pastor Mark
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AnonymousNovember 2, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I am so happy Travis is doing better. He looks like he is so happy to be off that respirator!! I am praying for the little guy.. he is so precious and brave. Nicole and Roger, I am thinking of you both often. Your words and actions have really touched my heart. Liz
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AnonymousNovember 7, 2009 at 6:27 AM
He is beautiful! Desi has been keeping me informed. I know Desi has mentioned this, but if you need sick days, Desi wants to donate some of his so you can spend more time with travis.
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Travis Gary DiCarlo

Travis Gary DiCarlo, first son of Roger and Nicole DiCarlo, was born at San Diego Kaiser Hospital, October 23, 2009 with a Congenital Heart Defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, or HLHS. The short explanation is that Travis was born with only half of a heart. In order for him to live, a series of three operations were planned.

Due to an infection, Travis had to have an additional open heart surgery to insert pulmonary artery bands on October 29, 2009. He had his Norwood Surgery on November 21, 2009. He was sent home on December 14, 2009 from Rady's Children Hospital of San Diego after spending his first 52 nights of life in the hospital.

After being home for several months, Travis was due to for his next surgery in the plan, the Glenn procedure. But the life of a cardiac kid can change in an instant and life doesn't always go as planned. Due to the anatomy of his heart and some rhythm issues, Travis had what the surgeons called Norwood part 2. They replaced his Sano Shunt with a bigger one, enlarged his pulmonary arteries and installed a pacemaker. This surgery was performed on May 3, 2010. Travis went home on May 17th, 2010.

Around Travis' first birthday in October his cardiologist detected some narrowing in his pulmonary artery and ordered a heart cath. The heart cath showed extensive narrowing in his aorta and his pulmonary artery. On February 17, 2011 Travis had his 4th open heart surgery. He was doing well with recovery until he suddenly went into cardiac arrest on Friday (2/18). After two hours of CPR Travis was placed on ECMO (a heart/lung bypass). Although his heart did begin to beat again on its own, his brain was damaged during the whole ordeal and he lost all brain function. We had to say goodbye to our beautiful boy on Saturday, February 19th. We miss our boy terribly.....