The Bartlinski Bunch

" Teresa "

" Teresa "

Teresa "Fang Fang " Bartlinski

Teresa was born on December 25, 2006 in China. She was born with a very complex heart condition. In July 2010, GOD added Teresa to our family through adoption. We have been blessed with 9 wonderful children. Gods grace has woven us together as a family. Upon bringing Teresa home from China we unfortunately learned she not only needed a heart transplant but also a lung transplant. Her doctors feel she would not survive this operation. Please help us to pray for a miracle for Teresa's heart and lungs to be healed. She is a very special little soul who has touched so many lives around the world ...
I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!

Monday, December 3, 2012

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Memorable Days .  The day we were married , the birth of our children and the adoption days of our daughters  are all memorable days filled with joy , love and happiness . I can remember every moment of each one of these days.  The day Teresa receives her new heart will also be one of the most memorable days in our life . 







Thursday night at 10pm.  the phone rang .  All the girls were asleep except for Grace and Lucy ( they are my night owls ) . Ed had answered the phone and came running upstairs to tell me that the transplant coordinator was on the phone and Teresa had a heart .   The preliminary ultrasound looked good and it seemed to be a good match . She wanted us there as soon as possible because Teresa would need to have a procedure (plasma phoresis ) to remove her blood and filter it through a machine to remove any antibodies she may have that could reject the new heart .
Luckily everyone was home  . This would save us a lot of time .  Our bags were already packed so Ed loaded them into the car  .  We called our two sons and daughter in Law and they were at our house within 20 minutes  to stay with the girls. Everything was moving along as planned.   The only thing we did not factor into this was the reaction Grace and Lucy would have at this moment .  We thought we had prepared all of the girls for what was about to occur but the fear of  this moment really upset them and we needed to spend extra time reassuring them that everything would be all right .

As we drove to Philly , Teresa was asleep totally unaware of the enormous change about to occur in her Life.  We luckily did not run into any traffic and arrived at the hospital shortly after 12 am. . We awoke Teresa and explained to her that tonight she would receive her new heart .  She was very excited because to her receiving her new heart means she will be able to ride her bike with out wearing her oxygen .( she wants a new bike for Christmas so she was VERY excited ). 
As we entered the CICU things moved very quickly .  She was prepped and intubated for the plasma phoresis.   We were told the transplant would happen after the phoresis was complete early in the morning .   Shortly after 3 am.  Doctor Rossano asked to speak to us in the conference room .    He appeared very disappointed.  He said he was very sorry but after the Doctors had examined the donor heart it appeared not to be a good match for Teresa.   At that moment I don't think Ed or I knew exactly how to react .  I could not imagine having to go through all of this again but at the same time we did not want to take any chances with a heart that was not strong enough for Teresa. 

The plan was to stop the phoresis and slowly wake Teresa up .

The next morning after Teresa woke up she looked down at her chest and asked where her new heart was . With suggestions from  child life on how to explain this to her she slowly understood and said "OK.. , I'll wait  for my new heart to be strong ".

This experience is something that is so very difficult to go through and now we will have to do it all again very soon .  We did not want Teresa or the girls to see or feel any fear from Ed or I so we were very calm . I just pray that the next time it will be a little bit easier emotionally .

Teresa has done very well the past 3 days . She is back to being " The Boss".  Ed and I on the other hand feel as if we have been run over by a truck .

Thank you to all Teresa's prayer warriors for continuing to pray !  You all mean so much to us !

14 comments:

Laine said...

Continuing to pray for sweet Teresa and you all!!!!!

Lynda said...

Oh Ann, it's hard to imagine the emotional roller coaster of all this. As always our prayers are with you all.
The Carr's

Anonymous said...

I truly believe God has the most perfect heart planned for Teresa and this one just was not it. Continued prayers for your family.

Aus said...

Good morning Ann - I just can't fathom how you and Ed must feel - nor can I understand how y'all manage to "put on the show" for the kids - but I thank our Father every day that you do!

prayers and hugs - aus and co.

likeschocolate said...

Hang in there! Her day will come! Praying that will be soon.

The Gang's Momma! said...

No words, beyond a prayer for The Father's love to refresh and revive you all as you wait for HIS perfect gift for Teresa.

Arnold family said...

Continuing to pray for all of you!

Kevin and Michele said...

Praying for a heart for Christmas for your sweet girl. Can't imagine how hard this is for all of you, but you are a strong family with a strong daughter. The Lord will provide.

Daphne said...

We are praying and praying for you all. My 10 year old daughter checks your blog everyday. We continue to lift you all up to the Lord. May the Lord cover you in comfort and peace.

Wanda House said...

May the Lord continue to encourage and strengthen you as you wait for the "perfect" heart for Teresa. My prayers continue to be with you and the family.

Holly said...

I can't imagine the stress you are under. We're praying here for the perfect heart for Teresa.

The Jiu Jiu said...

Just wanted to let you know there's a whole contingent of residents at the nursing home where I work praying continuously for all of you. One lady in particular asks, "And how is that little girl?" EVERY time I see her in the hallway! :-)

Hang in there!

LA said...

HI Ann,

We won't stop praying until Teresa receives her complete healing ! We will also pray for strength for a ll of you.

God bless,
Lee Ann

Stefani said...

Sending every ounce of love and hope we have inside us that the miracle will come.

Love,
Stefani Ellison