Children are the most special part of life. Losing a child is something that few really understand. Even a brief life offers so much that is special.
Katie was born with a congenital heart defect. When she was just five weeks of age, closed heart surgery was performed on her at ‘The Hospital for Sick Children’ in Toronto.
Prior to Katie’s surgery, she was required to undergo a heart (cardiac) catheterization to check for any conditions that might have increased the risk of problems during surgery.
(cardiac cath) — A cardiac cath or angiogram is a procedure that identifies possible problems with your heart or its arteries. During a cath, a thin plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into a blood vessel in your groin or arm. The catheter is guided up toward your heart. A special dye is injected into the catheter so X-rays can show if you have any artery blockage or other heart problems.
During the cardiac catheterization there was an accidental puncture to the heart.
The cardiologist who handled her catheterization failed to report this to the chief cardiologist. My daughter underwent heart surgery and she died on the operating table, as the result of negligent conduct by a physician.
We did not sue the doctor for malpractice. All the money in the world won’t bring my baby back. There have been two other cases that I know of, which involved these same doctor’s.
I have learned to accept my daughter’s death. I miss her so much. This is something that these doctors will forever have to live with. They took a life, my daughter’s life.
Rose DesRochers
If you liked this post, why not buy me a coffee?
RSS
18 responses so far ↓
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 12:18 pm
This was one of the most difficult things we ever dealt with together that’s for sure. The loss of our daughter, and yet our other daughter waiting for us to bring home her sister was a devastating time.
We put our trust in the doctors and they failed us by not informing one another of the difficulties that arose during the catheterization.
Now we live without our daughter, she is with us in our hearts and soul, but its still not the same…
Shawn
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I knew you had lost your daughter per your e-mail to my site. What I didn’t realize was it was an act of malpractice.
My sincere condolences to you and your husband. I lost my son to suicide when he was 30 years old. The problem was, my ex-wife didn’t let me know that he died for nearly two months.
I was angry with her, and saddened with the loss of a son I hadn’t seen in 15 years. It is always difficult to be a parent and have your children leave this place before you do.
Your family has my prayers.
Pastor Paul
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Dear Shawn and Rose, my very sincerest condolences to the loss of your baby girl. I can only imagine how painful this experience must have been for the both of you. I am deeply moved that both of you continue to do meaningful work in reaching out to others and assisting in your own ways. I’m glad I found the both of you!
Love,
Viola
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 1:38 pm
So sorry for your loss and how it happened. I was by a friend’s side just after she lost her premature newborn. It is an unspeakable tragedy.
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I came by to read your Friday Feast, but stopped instead for this post.
I can’t imagine what you went through. Your words are like ice in my veins. I worry about what future children will experience at the hands of these doctors.
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that the sympathy and prayer for you and your husband from a stranger might find some way to comfort you, even a little bit.
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 3:34 pm
I can’t begin to imagine what you must have gone through – and continue to go through. “Learning to accept my daughter’s death” and having to cope with it every day, are two different things.
Wishing you and your family the best, Rose.
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 3:34 pm
I’m so sorry.
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Viola, Thank you.
sarala, it is and my condolences to your friends loss.
Rob and Rory of course you cannot begin to imagine because you have not loss a child and I pray that you never do.
Rob I appreciate your words of comfort and doctors are not God. I know the one Doctor has dedicated his life to learning more about the disease that my daughter had.
Teena, thank you.
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I wrote this poem after a friend lost her daughter. God bless.
Heaven’s Cradle
Up above a small child swings,
blanketed by angels wings,
when she rocks all heaven sings,
a lullaby of love.
Wrote: Mar 2, 2007 at 10:17 pm
I am so very sorry to learn of your loss. This is just heart breaking.
Wrote: Mar 3, 2007 at 2:24 am
I am so sorry for your loss.
Wrote: Mar 3, 2007 at 9:56 am
Oh Rose–I’m so very sorry.
I can’t imagine how you have managed through such a devastating loss…
Wrote: Mar 4, 2007 at 1:12 am
Christy thank you for sharing this beautiful poem.
Coll, thank you. It has been 14 years. We often wonder what if, but we have come to terms with her death.
Betty thank you.
Peg, I had the love of my Mother, husband and oldest daughter. Thank you for your comment.
Wrote: Mar 4, 2007 at 2:27 am
Rose, my hart bleeds for you. We very nearly lost our son 15 months ago; he was born prem, with a hart defect. I don’t know if I would have been able to face the world again had we lost him.We are lucky he is still with us.
My thoughts are with you!
Wrote: Mar 8, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Dear Shawn and Rose,
That is a terrible tragedy, and wonderful for you to have such a loving suporrtive family to help you through this. I don’t know what either my husband or I would do, if we lost any one of ours.
Sending *Hugs* and prayers for your family!
Wrote: Mar 10, 2007 at 10:55 am
Hi Rose,
As I am reading the story of you and Shawn losing your infant daughter, the tears come again. Please just know my heart is with you.
The feeling when one loses a child are …it’s as if a part of yourself has died. My firstborn son died in November at 41. http://neillneill.com/category/grieving/ Reading your post and feeling the tears come is a reminder that I’m still in the grief.
Love and blessings,
Neill
Wrote: Jul 16, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Neill my condolences to the loss of your son. Children are not suppose to die before their parents.
Wrote: Jul 17, 2007 at 9:29 am
Thanks, Rose,
I know that you of all people understand.
Love and blessings,
Neill