Team Travis: Travis Gary DiCarlo 10/23/09-02/19/11

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Travis Gary DiCarlo 10/23/09-02/19/11

Travis Gary DiCarlo, the first child of Roger and Nicole DiCarlo, was born on October 23, 2009, in San Diego, CA. Travis was born with HLHS, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and fought valiantly until he lost his battle on February 19, 2011. During his short time here on earth, Travis touched many people who followed his story on a blog his parents created at www.teamtravis.info. Most people will remember his big beautiful blue eyes and his million dollar smile. Despite his special heart, Travis was always happy, watching and dancing to Yo Gabba Gabba, chasing after his dogs, and people watching.

Everyone who met him fell in love instantly. Travis was a true warrior and will forever be missed by his family, friends, and people across the country who never even met him. His legacy will live on as his parents made the selfless decision to donate his organs so that others may live. The family requests that those who loved Travis please consider organ donation, the greatest gift of life.

Travis is survived by his parents Roger and Nicole DiCarlo of Fallbrook; his younger sister, Addison Sue DiCarlo; Nana Sue Roberts of Vista, Grandparents Roger and Karen Sue DiCarlo of Temecula; Aunts Tina Gagne, Deb Hawes, Jen Mulloy and Angela DiCarlo; Uncles Daniel DiCarlo, Ryan DiCarlo, and Don Zollo; Great-Grandmother Jane Williams; numerous friends and family, and the entire CHD community. Travis was preceded in death by his Papa, Gary Gagne’.

The family is extremely grateful to Rady’s Children Hospital; Kaiser Hospital; the Ronald McDonald House; and Doctors Lamberti, Levy and Klaudt - all of whom fought so hard for our angel Travis. The family also extends its thanks to all of the many doctors, nurses, and staff that participated in Travis’ care. The family is extremely grateful for Mark Kuhn, the family’s pastor and his wife, Carol Kuhn, who have been with the family since the beautiful day of Travis’ birth.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 6, 2011, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Williams Barn at Walnut Grove Park, 1950 Sycamore Drive, San Marcos, CA.

Donations can be made to the family at teamtravis.info, HeartSisters.blogspot.com, or the Children’s Heart Foundation.

4 comments:

Carol KuhnFebruary 26, 2011 at 9:46 PM
That is so nicely written. As I read it with tears filling my eyes and I think back on all that has happened since last week when we spent the evening with Travis and his family the night before his surgery, I feel this horrible pain in my heart. And I know that this is nothing compared to the heartache the family is feeling. This beautiful family has allowed us to be part of all the special moments of their lives, and we will be forever grateful. We love all of you and pray that God will comfort and strengthen you!
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AnonymousFebruary 28, 2011 at 11:16 PM
My heart breaks at your loss - and I've never met you. A friend's posting on Facebook led me to your blog from almost the other side of the world. As a San Marcos native and also someone who was saved by Children's Hospital many many years ago I send you thoughts of support and healing...
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AnonymousMarch 1, 2011 at 1:05 AM
HI you dont know me but I have grieved for you and your fam since Travis last surgery. I am not a mom of a heart baby so I cant say I know your struggle but something put it in my heart to write you these words. I see Travis pictures and I Love Travis even though I never met him. I cry now for you because I cant imagine the faith and strength it takes to go through that. Your faith shines through your family and I believe will carry you through this. I dont know how this sounds but i almost feel guilty when I look at my boy, why Travis and why does this happen at all? There has to be more...right, to his heavenly, infectious smile and eyes and as I find my keyboard drenched in tears right now for this precious baby whom I did not know I stop myself and think...why am I crying out to you for comfort when you are the one that needs it... and my heart tells me the message you need to hear is that we grieve for our pain and we have to remember that Travis is in no pain and is still with you. He still gets to keep tabs on mommy and daddy who made him so happy and whom he loves dearly.. so again we grieve for our pain, which we should, but remember your precious angel is not grieving for he knows for certain he will reunite with you...and who knows...it may feel like an eternity to us and to him it may feel like only a day has gone by...I hope this makes sense to you as I just wrote words from my heart...Love to you and your fam in this heartbreaking time
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Scott McMillan March 1, 2011 at 11:28 AM
What a beautiful tribute from a beautiful life! We have never met, but I want to thank you for sharing the inspiring life of your son with us. We are thinking and praying for your family during this difficult time and pray that you will feel the presence of your little man as he dwells in a much better world.
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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.....