Team Travis: December 2011

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

For you Travis

Article about your daddy in the local paper.

Murrieta Patch

This the last picture of Travis and I. I carry it in my wallet and have it posted in several places.

This is me on December 10th - 108 pounds lighter. Thanks Travis for helping me get through all the runs.

My Weight Loss Journey

I have just completed some major goals in my life this past week son. I have completed a 5k on your birthday. I run with my students in p.e. class now. I have lost 101 pounds. Most importantly, I have become healthy so I can be active and live longer for your sister and any future brother/sister.

I was tired, hungry, and wanted to quit or cheat more times than I can count over months. But i never did. I exercised when I didn't want to, I ate healthy instead of bad, and I chose to be the man/dad/husband I wanted to always be. I always hated to run. HATE HATE HATE to run. But fell in love with the chance to just run and think of you. I never ran alone, because you were always there telling me one more block. I ran a 5k. Who would of ever thought that would be possible. You would have been so proud.Travis you never knew me as skinny daddy. I look at your pictures every time I walk downstairs, open the fridge or watch TV. I said I would loose the weight so I could be there for you as you grew up. But you never got the chance.

After you went to heaven Mommy and I turned to food as are coping method and gained a bunch more weight. We decided to do something about it this summer. You were with us every step of the way. Mommy lost over 50 pounds and has changed her life as well. You would be so proud of her. Addison has gained weight, but she is still growing (LOL).

The only motivation I needed was you buddy. I am extremely emotional today and have cried a ton today. I miss you terribly. I came home today from my competition and was so happy to see my girls, but I really wanted was too see you. Your poor sissy probably thinks I am a freak, because I won't put her down. I just miss you boy and always will.

Talk to you again on the next run.

Love,Dad

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.....