Emma’s Story

Site created on March 29, 2011

Welcome to all of our family and friends to Emma's Caring Bridge website. We immediately need to say how thankful we truly are for the outpouring of prayer and love for Emma and for Mark, Keri and me. Emma has truly been a brave and strong superstar. Please be patient with me, I am going to do my best to update as often as possible. We know that Emma will especially enjoy reading your guestbook entries. Much Love, nancie

 

  The first hundred hours of Emma's week began  with what we thought would be a simple blood test for mono or anemia. We are blessed to have Dr. Josh Rosenblatt as our peditrician, whom when examining Emma 8:30 Monday morning, immediately knew that she was very sick with something much more serious...
  Emma's heart was no longer able to function, and needed immediate intervention. By Monday afternoon it was determined that she needed to be transported to the Children's Hospital of New York Columbia Presbyterian, where she was admittted to the pediatric cardiac ICU unit. 
  From the time of admittance to the decision to list her as a transplant candidate, Emma bravely fought through many episodes of cardiac distress. Those of you who know Emma well, will appreciate that even through these episodes, she let us know that she wasn't giving up or letting this situation control her- she was strong and determined. 
   Once we accpeted the only decision was for a transplant lisiting, we were told that Emma once again had it set up 'right"- her blood type of A and  body size enabled her to enter into the largest donor pool. We were advised that most likely the waiting period would be about 2 weeks. Less than 24 hours later, when told that a heart was matched, it was astonishing  to us and unbelievable.  Early Friday morning, Emma received a new heart and  the opportunity to continue to grow up to become everything she has ever hoped  to be. For us her spirit has simply been renewed  in this incredibly brave and precious child of ours.

 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Nancie Rothman

Hello Everyone,

10 YEARS!!!!

First off, I cannot believe it has been 7 (!!) years since my last post. But as I have written many times in my entries: “no news is good news.”

I have been thinking about this post for weeks. Wondering - thinking about how we all got here. My first thought is with immense gratitude. Every single day I know how blessed Emma is, our family is. I think about all the “ah ha” moments of Emma being Emma. How Emma’s donor family was courageous in giving the gift of life. Wow, that sentence still makes me emotional & always will. For all this past year has been more than difficult. It has intensified my awareness of how each day is a new day and precious. I think these days most people feel the same way.

 Emma received her transplant  on April 1st, the beginning of “Donate Life Month”, which of course we knew nothing about 10 years ago. Emma & I have been talking about her anniversary and what we want to share and ask...and as it was 10 years ago, (& every day in between) we ask for you to please register   via: registerme.org to become an organ & tissue donor and let your family know your wishes..

 

We would love for you to share with us your responses to:

“10 years ago, on this day___________”

“I am a registered organ & tissue donor because________”

The ways our village has expanded in 10 years is incredible. Without your love & support our lives would be vastly different.

My best to you all,

Nancie

 

 

 

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