Alexandrea Goodman

Alexandrea Nicole Goodman decided to make her grand entrance into this world on March 29, 2020. She was healthy and oh so beautiful with a head full of hair. We were able to take her home within 24-48 hours after delivery. Up until this point, she has had normal newborn checkups without issue, but September 4, 2020, would be different…… - - Friday, September 4, 2020 - - After a week of concern and worrying about her health, Allie was seen at the pediatrician earlier in the week, but all the tests came back normal. Still concerned, we decided to contact the pediatrician again and was then instructed to go to Methodist Germantown ER to receive IV fluids for possible dehydration. Upon arrival to Germantown ER, baby girl received a chest x-ray and one bag of IV fluids. We thought that after receiving the IV fluids she would then be discharged home. Instead we were told that we would be transferred to Lebonheur Children’s Hospital in downtown Memphis for observation as a direct admit, meaning a room would be ready for her when she arrived.. - - While in transit, the EMTs gave baby girl more fluids, because (again) we thought she may have beeen dehydrated. After getting the second bag of fluid, her respiration started to tank.  - - When we arrived at the Lebonheur Children's Hospital, my baby girl looked 100% different from when we left Germantown. Her breathing became heavier yet shallow as if every breath was taken with extrrme effort! As a result of her RAPID decline in health, the ER doctor decided to keep her in the emergency room (for observation and additional testing) instead on taking her to her pre-arranged room.  - - Tests happened. Observations occurred. The ER doctor at LeBonheur took one glance at the same x-ray from Methodist (and the x-rays taken at LeBonheur upon our arrival) and saw that Allie's heart was enlarged and failing. HEART FAILURE! Our previously healthy 5-month-old baby girl was in HEART FAILURE. These words cut like a knife and literally took our breath away. How? Why her? Why us? Our lives forever changed in this one ambulance ride! - - Allie is currently in the Cardiovascular ICU at Lebonheur where she will remain until she can get a new heart, which can take 6-9 months or longer. Please follow and pray for us as we take this journey together. I pray Allie's triumphant journey will inspire and motivate myself and others alike. She has already shown such magnigicent strength and resillience. We are looking forward to documenting her progress and her victories, big and small! Alexandrea Nicole Goodman...our little BRAVEHEART!