- 3 months ago
For Fred and Karen Schouten (Bruce Greenwood, Michele Greene) the news that she is pregnant is most welcome having been trying for a while with no success. Gordon and Alice Holc (Terry O'Quinn, Ann Jillian) are also happy as whilst they already have one child they learn that at 35 Alice is pregnant again. But both couples receive devastating news as Fred and Karen are informed that their yet born baby has a brain defect and has no chance of surviving whilst Alice and Gordon learn that their baby has a defective heart and also has little chance of surviving..
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00A sweater.
00:00:24No.
00:00:27Oh, a bracelet.
00:00:28Oh, come on.
00:00:28Try and be a little more imaginable.
00:00:30A Rolls-Royce.
00:00:31Right, right.
00:00:32Now I got you that last year.
00:00:33That's right.
00:00:34How come I forget that?
00:00:37Oh, I know what it is.
00:00:38What?
00:00:39It's a horse.
00:00:40Isn't it?
00:00:41It's a golden palomino.
00:00:43You know, if you had a horse,
00:00:44every time you whinny about wanting one,
00:00:45you'd have a herd by now.
00:00:47They're horses.
00:00:47What?
00:00:48They're so beautiful.
00:00:49They're so magnificent.
00:00:50So expensive.
00:00:51So impractical.
00:00:52Dreams are supposed to be practical.
00:00:54Well, keep dreaming.
00:00:56Right.
00:00:57Ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:00:58We designed peeler for telephone poles.
00:01:23Basically, what you do is you cut down the tree
00:01:25and you put it on a kind of air belt
00:01:27and it strips off the bark.
00:01:29You invented that?
00:01:30Yeah.
00:01:31Didn't you know I was married to a genius dad?
00:01:33No.
00:01:33How much did you get paid for something like that?
00:01:35Oh, that's a military secret.
00:01:39I'm kidding.
00:01:42Do you want to make the tea?
00:01:43The bags are on the top shelf there.
00:01:45Okay.
00:01:49Dinner was great.
00:01:54How's that baby thing coming?
00:01:56Oh, not so good.
00:02:00Well, not that we haven't been trying.
00:02:03It's just that it's been already a year for us
00:02:06and we both want a baby so badly
00:02:08and, I don't know, maybe it's just not meant to be.
00:02:11Nonsense.
00:02:12You and Fred just work too hard.
00:02:14All you need is a couple of weeks on a beach somewhere
00:02:16with no deadlines and no pressures.
00:02:19Now, that sounds great, but it's not very realistic.
00:02:22Fred's in the middle of a project.
00:02:23I'm doing all the repairs at the house.
00:02:24The animals need tending tools.
00:02:26Not tonight.
00:02:28I finally got the fireplace
00:02:29and the guest room working.
00:02:33There's a stereo, great music,
00:02:35scented handles.
00:02:37What are you doing?
00:02:39You're setting the mood.
00:02:41I want you two to relax and enjoy yourselves.
00:02:45I'm so embarrassed.
00:02:49I don't think you're wise to be too.
00:02:50Do you think so?
00:02:53Yeah.
00:02:53Now, you want to get her out of here.
00:02:55Mom, which one is Goofus and which one is Alice?
00:02:59Right here.
00:03:00Sit down and read this.
00:03:01Okay, okay.
00:03:02Always like that hidden picture.
00:03:04It's fine.
00:03:06Alice Holt?
00:03:07Sure.
00:03:08I love it.
00:03:09Dr. Franklin.
00:03:14Hello.
00:03:14Oh, it's good.
00:03:15Congratulations.
00:03:17It's a normal pregnancy.
00:03:18Oh.
00:03:20It's terrific.
00:03:21Oh, that's wonderful.
00:03:23Wait, Jason finds out.
00:03:26He's been driving us crazy wanting a brother or sister.
00:03:28Well, according to my calculations, you should have one around the first week in November.
00:03:34Why don't you sit down?
00:03:35There are a few things I want to discuss with you.
00:03:42First of all, because of your age, I think an amniocentesis is advisable.
00:03:47Uh, isn't there a risk of miscarriage with an amnio?
00:03:52It's very slight.
00:03:54No, I don't want to take the risk.
00:03:57Alice, when you're 35 years old, the possibility of having a Down syndrome chart increases.
00:04:02I'd still have the baby.
00:04:06Why don't you both think this over before you make a decision?
00:04:10We have thought it over.
00:04:13You know, it hasn't been easy conceiving this baby.
00:04:16And we're going to love it no matter what.
00:04:28Come on.
00:04:32What do you think of this?
00:04:39This, I think this is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen.
00:04:42You have no taste.
00:04:44Okay, um.
00:04:47Hey, what about this eagle?
00:04:48That's the ugliest thing I've ever seen.
00:04:51Oh, this is nice.
00:04:53This is nice.
00:04:53Well, it's all spotted.
00:04:56Well, you can replace the mirror part.
00:04:58All right, just look at the frame.
00:04:59Well, why in the world do you want to buy something?
00:05:01You just have to take home and fix.
00:05:03They're antiques, Fred.
00:05:05Well, I love antiques, but they're used.
00:05:07Now, this.
00:05:09This is nice.
00:05:10It's 150 bucks.
00:05:11This we should get.
00:05:13What do you think of this?
00:05:15Well, a cradle.
00:05:16This is what we need a cradle.
00:05:18Since now.
00:05:20What?
00:05:21Are you sure?
00:05:35Yeah, sure.
00:05:36Gary.
00:05:37Hey, Gordon.
00:05:40If this flick is too scary, I'm going to hold you personally responsible.
00:06:02Well, it's not for little kids, you know.
00:06:03Forget little kids.
00:06:04It's my wife I'm worried about.
00:06:06See you.
00:06:07See you, Gordon.
00:06:11Hi, how's it?
00:06:12Thanks, Gary.
00:06:13How's the pregnant lady?
00:06:14Great.
00:06:16You look great.
00:06:17Bye.
00:06:18Bye-bye.
00:06:19How are you?
00:06:20Gordon.
00:06:21Hi, Ann.
00:06:22Hi.
00:06:22Just give me a minute.
00:06:23Sure.
00:06:24How to go to the doctor.
00:06:26Okay.
00:06:32The doctor wants the baby to get a fetal echocardiogram.
00:06:37What's that?
00:06:39It's a detailed scan of the baby's heart.
00:06:44How come?
00:06:46Well, you know, my sister has those heart problems, and one of my father's brothers died of a heart
00:06:53defect when he was a child, so the doctor says these things could be genetic.
00:06:58Why didn't he suggest this when you were pregnant with Jace?
00:07:00I don't know.
00:07:01I don't know.
00:07:02Maybe they didn't have that kind of testing available then.
00:07:05He didn't say anything was wrong.
00:07:07He just wants to do it for precaution.
00:07:13But you're nervous.
00:07:13Yes, I'm nervous.
00:07:19What if something's wrong after all this?
00:07:21The baby is fine.
00:07:22It's just fine.
00:07:24I hope.
00:07:26Look, we've had setbacks and disappointments for the last four years.
00:07:30I'd say we're due for a little good news, hmm?
00:07:34Let's go home.
00:07:39No ultrasound.
00:07:40Karen, it's really pretty standard these days.
00:07:42Yeah, until they find out ten years from now, it causes some kind of irreversible damage.
00:07:46What's the point of having one exactly?
00:07:49Well, to see how far along Karen is, the size of the baby, and of course to make sure the
00:07:53baby's developing properly.
00:07:55Was there any reason to think it wouldn't?
00:07:58Well, no, but...
00:07:59Then why should I take any tests?
00:08:02You know, I feel great.
00:08:03You know, I have no morning sickness.
00:08:05I'm full of energy.
00:08:07I'm eating right.
00:08:08I'm taking my vitamins.
00:08:09I'm taking long walks.
00:08:10I don't drink.
00:08:11I don't smoke.
00:08:15It's just that we want to do this as naturally as possible.
00:08:19I see.
00:08:20And does that involve having natural childbirth?
00:08:23Absolutely.
00:08:24In fact, we've decided to have the baby at home.
00:08:29Karen, I wish you would reconsider that.
00:08:32We've already spoken to a midwife.
00:08:33It's not something that I recommend.
00:08:38Women have been doing it for thousands of years.
00:08:41I know that.
00:08:42But they had no hospital environment to choose from.
00:08:45Well, it's exactly that hospital environment that I'm not crazy about.
00:08:49I mean...
00:08:49I mean, you know, I don't like tests.
00:08:53I don't like needles.
00:08:54And you're always hearing, right, that someone went into the hospital for something small
00:08:58and they come back with a bigger problem or they don't come out at all.
00:09:02Now, if something like that were to happen to us with this baby...
00:09:04Karen, there is much more of a likelihood of something happening without proper medical care.
00:09:09So you think it's too dangerous?
00:09:11Fred, come on, we agreed about this.
00:09:14I know, but if it's going to jeopardize you or the baby in ways we haven't considered...
00:09:18Am I having a normal pregnancy without complications?
00:09:22Well, yes.
00:09:23Is there any reason to think that that won't continue?
00:09:26No.
00:09:28Okay.
00:09:29Okay, there's nothing to worry about.
00:09:32This is just like a prenatal ultrasound.
00:09:34Except he takes a specialized look at the heart as a separate entity from the whole fetus.
00:09:38All we're going to do is take some pictures.
00:09:40Okay, Susan.
00:09:44Does everything look all right?
00:10:01Just give me another moment, okay?
00:10:10Okay, that's fine, Susan.
00:10:14Why don't you get dressed and we'll talk about this in my office?
00:10:19No, please.
00:10:20Tell us now.
00:10:22There appears to be a problem with the baby's heart.
00:10:25I'm not sure what it is.
00:10:2724 weeks is too early to see that kind of detail.
00:10:30When will you be sure?
00:10:3128 weeks, we'd have a better idea.
00:10:34But whatever it is, it's something that may be correctable after the baby's born.
00:10:37Correctable how?
00:10:39With surgery.
00:10:40But you won't know for another four weeks.
00:10:44Right.
00:10:45Oh, God.
00:10:46It's okay.
00:10:47It's okay.
00:10:48It'll be okay.
00:10:57I know what you're thinking.
00:11:01I love being pregnant, you know that?
00:11:24Hey, I love it, too.
00:11:28Isn't that amazing, Fred?
00:11:32We're gonna be parents.
00:11:34It's hard to imagine, huh?
00:11:37You'd be totally responsible for another human being.
00:11:41Are you scared?
00:11:43Yeah, I don't know, maybe a little, yeah.
00:11:48I'll tell you one thing, though.
00:11:50It's gonna be the most important thing I've ever done in my life.
00:11:58What the fuck, I'm just glad I told you that.
00:12:09Why do you think it was late or something?
00:12:11I don't think he's funny.
00:12:13What do you mean he's hysterical?
00:12:15It's hysterical.
00:12:17Fred, watch out!
00:12:26Damn.
00:12:29You all right?
00:12:30Yeah.
00:12:32Yeah, yeah, I'm okay.
00:12:33Yeah?
00:12:34I'm okay, let's just go home.
00:12:38Come on, guys.
00:12:49Just give me a chance.
00:12:50Let me finish.
00:12:51Fred?
00:12:52Yeah?
00:12:53I can't feel the baby.
00:12:55What?
00:12:56I don't feel anything.
00:12:58There's no movement, no kicking.
00:13:00What, are you sure?
00:13:01Of course I'm sure.
00:13:02The baby's been kicking for weeks.
00:13:03Okay, all right.
00:13:04Well, I'll call the doctor.
00:13:05We've got to go to the hospital.
00:13:07Honey, don't panic.
00:13:09I mean, there could be a lot of reasons for this.
00:13:10Like what?
00:13:11Well, I don't know.
00:13:12I'll ask him.
00:13:13I'll call the doctor.
00:13:14Look, I want to go to the hospital.
00:13:16Now.
00:13:17Okay.
00:13:18We'll go to the hospital.
00:13:21Uh.
00:13:31Fred.
00:13:32Okay.
00:13:33He's alright.
00:13:34Okay.
00:13:35Oh...
00:13:37Fred.
00:13:39Oh, okay, it's alright.
00:13:42what is this thing it's called a fetal monitor it's used to check the baby's heartbeat
00:13:56there it is do you hear that sound is that the most beautiful sound you've ever heard what i
00:14:07tell you i'd like to do an ultrasound as well just to make sure everything's all right
00:14:11why we heard the heartbeat well the heart's only one organ was just shouting i'd like to have a
00:14:16look at the entire fetus we don't really like all this technological stuff i understand but it's a
00:14:21very safe procedure we'll only take a couple of minutes it's better to be safe than sorry i don't
00:14:27think so i do come here come on we were here already we had a big scare i'm just not gonna
00:14:34i don't have any peace of mind unless i know everything's okay
00:14:37okay i was driving a truck i feel responsible okay okay you want to hear something you haven't
00:14:52heard before yes i'm hungry okay all right i'll tell you about we rent a movie we go home you're
00:15:03relax you're climbing to bed it's going to burn in your sleep yeah it's just for me i'll fix you
00:15:07bring it to me in bed okay okay it's okay it's okay it's okay it's an offer i cannot refuse
00:15:14who's your obstetrician mrs shoutin dr garland why i'm gonna call him i think you should come
00:15:22in for another ultrasound why did you see something wrong oh i'm sure everything's okay i'm just the
00:15:29technician but why don't we wait till we talk to your doctor
00:15:32and as she puffed down the mutton she seemed to say i thought i could i thought i could
00:15:46i thought i could the end when again forget it buster it's way past your bedtime tomorrow morning
00:15:56i don't think so tomorrow mama's going to the doctor there won't be time tomorrow night we'll see
00:16:04sweet dreams honey good night
00:16:07mom can the baby hear things in your stomach
00:16:15some doctors say they can't i say good night to the baby
00:16:24if you want to
00:16:29good night little baby this is your brother talking see you in
00:16:38how many weeks mom
00:16:4112 see you in 12 weeks i love you i love you jesus
00:16:48come on under the covers here we go
00:16:56you working
00:17:22well dr garland called he wants to see us tomorrow at 11
00:17:34what do you think it is friend well i think we should wait and talk to the doctor before we
00:17:43jump to any conclusions could be down syndrome stop it
00:17:49look i'm not gonna let you torture yourself on top of everything else
00:17:54okay
00:17:57whatever it is it's our child
00:18:00and we'll handle it
00:18:05scared
00:18:13i don't know
00:18:19i don't know
00:18:22i don't know
00:18:27Karen, do you like to sit down?
00:18:35Is it bad news?
00:18:37I'm afraid so.
00:18:40Your baby has something called anencephaly,
00:18:44which means the brain hasn't developed normally.
00:18:48Uh, how did this happen?
00:18:52No one knows how it happens, friend.
00:18:53And instead of developing normally, all she has is a rudimentary brain stem.
00:18:58She?
00:18:59It's a girl.
00:19:02Yes.
00:19:05Is there some kind of surgery?
00:19:07Some special treatment?
00:19:09No, I'm afraid not.
00:19:14Will she die?
00:19:17Either she will be born dead,
00:19:19or she will die within a few days of her birth.
00:19:22No, that's not possible,
00:19:24because we hurt her heart beating.
00:19:26Her heart is fine, that's not the problem.
00:19:29She's been kicking,
00:19:30and moving for months.
00:19:32And she can't survive,
00:19:34and there's no medicine,
00:19:36or surgery that will ever change that.
00:19:37She's never going to know us.
00:20:05We're never going to feel her touch.
00:20:15We're never going to hear her laugh.
00:20:19We're never going to watch her take her first step.
00:20:22We're never going to hear ourード fear.
00:20:29We're never going to hear her,
00:20:30but she can't continue
00:20:30and think,
00:20:31and I think so well.
00:20:36We're not going to do three breaths now.
00:20:37I'd like to explain to you what we're looking at.
00:20:59Just tell us yes or no.
00:21:07I'm sorry to tell you this, but the left ventricle of the baby's heart is not developing the
00:21:13way it should.
00:21:16What exactly does that mean?
00:21:18A child cannot exist outside of the womb without both the left and the right ventricles.
00:21:25And the left side of the heart is not functioning at all.
00:21:37Tell me again.
00:22:04I want to understand, I want to comprehend what's happening.
00:22:15The baby has a condition called hypoplastic left ventricle.
00:22:20As long as he's inside you, he'll survive.
00:22:23He might even be born healthy, but then once he is born, his heart will slow down and then
00:22:27it will stop.
00:22:31There's only a 5% chance he'll survive the first 48 hours.
00:22:38It can't be true.
00:22:44Because if it is true, how am I supposed to go through my pregnancy?
00:22:51Oh, God, please.
00:23:02Let's not tell anybody else.
00:23:04I couldn't stand for anybody else to know.
00:23:08We're going to have to tell Jason.
00:23:09How?
00:23:10How do you tell a five-year-old boy that his brother is going to die before he ever meets
00:23:20him?
00:23:21I don't know.
00:23:22I don't know.
00:23:23I don't know.
00:23:28And when, when do I start planning the funeral?
00:23:41What's the protocol?
00:23:43Do I order the casket now?
00:23:46Or do I wait until after I give birth?
00:23:49Oh, come on, Lewis.
00:23:50It's not fair!
00:23:51It's not fair!
00:23:52Oh, it's not fair!
00:23:53It's not fair!
00:23:54No, it's not fair!
00:23:56No, no.
00:23:59It's not fair!
00:24:02No.
00:24:19Karen, we have to talk.
00:24:33Will you please stop that for just a minute?
00:24:39We have some decisions to make.
00:24:41Okay.
00:24:44Like Arlen said, he can take the baby now.
00:24:47Or you can wait the full...
00:24:49You can wait the full nine months.
00:24:51I'm carrying the baby to full term.
00:24:55Oh, you sure you want to do that?
00:24:57Hmm.
00:25:03Isn't that just going to make it harder?
00:25:05No, it won't.
00:25:07I want to have her with me as long as possible.
00:25:09You understand?
00:25:11Karen, she's not going to make it.
00:25:15No matter what.
00:25:16Do you think I don't know that?
00:25:18All right.
00:25:20Okay, if that's what you want, that's fine.
00:25:27Now we have to decide if you want to have a cesarean section
00:25:30or if you want to deliver naturally.
00:25:32How can you even ask me that?
00:25:33I'm just asking.
00:25:34Let me have childbirth, okay, Fred?
00:25:36Let me have one thing that's normal.
00:25:38I'm just saying.
00:25:41Oh, no.
00:25:42Oh, no.
00:25:50Oh, no.
00:25:54Oh, no.
00:25:56Alice?
00:26:09Alice?
00:26:20Alice?
00:26:24Mother, what are you doing here?
00:26:27I was in the neighborhood.
00:26:29Are you sick?
00:26:31I really wish you would have called first.
00:26:33Well, I have called.
00:26:35Every time I do, Gord says you're sleeping.
00:26:38What's the matter, Alice? Is something wrong?
00:26:40I did. So?
00:26:41Too tired to get even dressed?
00:26:43That's not like you.
00:26:46Mother, I'm not in the mood for criticism.
00:26:49I'm not criticizing Alice. I'm concerned.
00:26:52Okay.
00:26:52All right.
00:26:56There's nothing to be concerned about at the time, really.
00:26:59All right.
00:27:00I'm sorry.
00:27:02I guess I've forgotten how hard pregnancy can be.
00:27:06Let me help you.
00:27:09Morning sickness.
00:27:11Back pains.
00:27:13It's all worth it in the end, though, isn't it?
00:27:18When you hold that beautiful baby in your arms, it doesn't matter what you're going through.
00:27:24If you told me you were coming, I'd have baked something.
00:27:31It's all right.
00:27:32It's all right.
00:27:33Well, the tea's good and hot anyway.
00:27:34It's all right.
00:27:36Honey, honey.
00:27:38Uh, Karen and I have something to tell you.
00:27:42It's about the baby, and it's not good news.
00:27:46As a matter of fact, it's pretty bad.
00:27:48The baby has something called anencephaly.
00:27:54And what that means is her brain hasn't developed.
00:28:00There's no cure.
00:28:01There's no way to change it.
00:28:03So she can only live for a couple of days at the most.
00:28:07Oh, my God.
00:28:15Oh, Fred.
00:28:20Karen.
00:28:22I'm so sorry.
00:28:25I don't know what to say.
00:28:27Are you sure there's nothing you can do?
00:28:28Yeah.
00:28:29Yeah, for sure.
00:28:30What about you, honey?
00:28:34Are you okay?
00:28:35Does this cause medical problems for you?
00:28:40No, Dad, I'm fine.
00:28:43The rest of the baby's perfectly healthy.
00:28:47I mean, she's growing and she's developing like any normal baby.
00:28:53Maybe you should get a second opinion.
00:28:55Connie, we've spoken.
00:28:57Why not?
00:28:58These doctors don't know everything.
00:29:00Maybe somebody's got some new techniques, or...
00:29:02Dad, there are no techniques for replacing a brain.
00:29:07Sorry.
00:29:09I...
00:29:10I just don't understand why this happened.
00:29:16You know why?
00:29:19Because life is hard.
00:29:21And sometimes it's cruel.
00:29:24And it's full of pain and horrible things just happen.
00:29:28And no matter how hard we try and understand it, we never will.
00:29:32Because they just happen.
00:29:35And there's nothing that we can do about it.
00:29:37I don't know.
00:29:46I don't know.
00:29:47I don't think so.
00:29:50But...
00:29:53I don't know.
00:29:54I don't know.
00:29:55Mother...
00:29:59Ha!
00:30:30I can't make sense of it, Fred.
00:30:33I can't make peace with it.
00:30:36Maybe if I'd had the ultrasound earlier...
00:30:38Hey, that wouldn't have made any difference, you know that.
00:30:41No, I don't know that.
00:30:41Yes, you do. You know that.
00:30:45Honey, we can't blame ourselves. It just makes everything worse.
00:30:52Sometimes I wish I could stay pregnant forever.
00:30:55Just to keep her alive.
00:31:00You know, maybe in a way we can keep her alive.
00:31:23Maybe we could donate some of her organs.
00:31:30You know?
00:31:32Give them to another baby who needs them.
00:31:35You know, maybe give some other child a chance to live.
00:31:49Well, I mean, you know, when you think about it, maybe in a way, then part of her would still live.
00:31:54I'm not ready for this conversation.
00:32:00No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
00:32:06I don't know.
00:32:10Oh, please, God, help me.
00:32:37Give me the strength to bear this.
00:32:38Please, because I don't know what to do.
00:32:42Help me to accept this without going crazy.
00:32:48Please, God, help me.
00:32:50Help me.
00:32:52Shh.
00:32:53Shh.
00:32:57Medical plan.
00:32:58Get back upstairs.
00:33:02Well, no, I don't do that.
00:33:05Yes, ma'am.
00:33:08Now I just have to bring the lab.
00:33:12Okay.
00:33:14What if I told you there was a chance to replace your baby's heart with a healthy one?
00:33:21You mean a heart transplant?
00:33:23Is that possible?
00:33:24To be honest, I'm not sure.
00:33:26But I know how upset you've been.
00:33:28So I started doing some research.
00:33:30There are three doctors in the world who experiment with newborn heart transplants.
00:33:33Now, one of them is Dr. Leonard Bailey, and he's in Loma Linda, California.
00:33:38But what do you mean experiment?
00:33:40A very new procedure, Gordon.
00:33:41And the jury's still out on how successful it is.
00:33:44Not only that, but all the other infants were diagnosed after they were born and then recommended
00:33:49for surgery.
00:33:49Whereas in your case, the baby's been diagnosed in utero.
00:33:55If he's born healthy enough, and if they can find a donor heart that matches, they'll
00:34:00probably want to do the transplant as soon as the baby's delivered.
00:34:04And that's never been done before.
00:34:06What are his chances of surviving something like that?
00:34:11There's no way to tell.
00:34:15How big is a newborn baby's heart?
00:34:17About the size of a walnut.
00:34:21We're talking about something that big.
00:34:24Couldn't a lot of things go wrong?
00:34:26But if everything went right, we'd save his life.
00:34:31These babies that have had transplants, how many of them are still alive?
00:34:34I don't know.
00:34:37At least we could talk to the doctor, see what's involved.
00:34:40You'd have to fly down to Loma Linda.
00:34:42He'd want to examine you himself, of course.
00:34:44Could you set up an appointment for us?
00:34:46Alice, you do understand that this is a very long shot.
00:34:49I understand that today there's hope where yesterday there wasn't any.
00:34:53And I'm going to hang on to that until I know differently.
00:34:56We've been waiting and praying for a miracle.
00:34:58Maybe this is it.
00:34:59I want to talk to this man.
00:35:03I want to see if he can save our baby.
00:35:04Mr. and Mrs. Holt.
00:35:15Yes.
00:35:15Hi.
00:35:16I'm Sherry Mathis, senior coordinator of the transplant program.
00:35:19Hi.
00:35:19Welcome to Loma Linda.
00:35:22Hi.
00:35:22I didn't realize you had an entire complex here.
00:35:25Oh, yes.
00:35:25It's quite comprehensive.
00:35:26We have obstetricians, neonatologists, social workers, psychologists,
00:35:31specialty nurses, and, of course, our heart surgeons.
00:35:34When do we get to speak to Dr. Bailey?
00:35:36Your appointments for the day after tomorrow.
00:35:38First, I want to show you around the medical center and have you meet with the rest of the
00:35:41transplant team.
00:35:42Why don't we go over to my office and we'll go over your itinerary.
00:35:46Here at Loma Linda, we believe you should talk to everyone you can.
00:35:49This is a major decision and there's a lot of information to absorb before you can come
00:35:53to any decision.
00:35:54So, in other words, some people decide not to go through with this?
00:35:58Yes.
00:35:58And there are some patients that we feel would not be acceptable candidates.
00:36:02It's important for you to understand this is a highly stressful procedure.
00:36:06Not just for the patient, but for the entire family.
00:36:09Not everyone is equipped to deal with it.
00:36:12It's just this way.
00:36:13Come on.
00:36:13Hi, I'm Dr. Ellen Kelly from the neonatology department.
00:36:31When your baby's born, we'll be the ones keeping him in shape to receive a heart as
00:36:34soon as one becomes available.
00:36:36Where do you get a heart?
00:36:38Well, we take blood samples from both parents for matching purposes and register it with
00:36:42the National Transplant Network.
00:36:45How do you know the right heart will be available when you need it?
00:36:48Unfortunately, we don't.
00:36:50Which means that death can occur while the baby is waiting for a heart.
00:36:54There's also a risk during the operation itself and during the post-operative period.
00:37:02Where are we going?
00:37:04A little patience.
00:37:05Patience.
00:37:06Okay?
00:37:07Just a little walk.
00:37:09Enjoy the view.
00:37:12We're in the mud.
00:37:13Okay.
00:37:15Okay.
00:37:16We're here.
00:37:16Okay.
00:37:28It's a horse.
00:37:30You like her.
00:37:33She's so...
00:37:36She's all yours.
00:37:37You bought me a horse?
00:37:42Yeah.
00:37:44Golden Palomino, just like you want it.
00:37:49Her name's Avalon.
00:37:59I want our baby.
00:38:00I don't want it.
00:38:02I don't want it.
00:38:02So far, all of our babies have gone home from transplantation.
00:38:18Why don't you just sit here and be more comfortable?
00:38:22Of course, home is close by.
00:38:24All of our families are required to live in the area so we can do weekly follow-ups.
00:38:29What?
00:38:30Oh, yes.
00:38:32And we will not accept a patient for transplantation unless the family agrees to relocate to Loma
00:38:37Linda for at least a year.
00:38:39A year?
00:38:42Dr. Cicala, we live in Vancouver.
00:38:45My husband's business might never survive if we left for a year.
00:38:48I know it's an enormous commitment, Mrs. Hulke, but unless we are able to monitor the baby's
00:38:53progress after the transplant, I mean, there really is no point in putting him through
00:38:58all this.
00:39:01A year.
00:39:01A year.
00:39:01A year.
00:39:02A year.
00:39:03A year.
00:40:05If you want to donate the baby's organs, I think we should do it.
00:40:10You're right.
00:40:11At least something good will come out of this.
00:40:15Are you sure?
00:40:17Yeah.
00:40:21Come here.
00:40:35Oh, I see.
00:40:38Well, can you recommend somebody else that we could talk to?
00:40:43Uh-huh.
00:40:43Okay, well, thanks anyway, Dr. Gallen.
00:40:47Bye.
00:40:50What do you say?
00:40:50He said the baby probably won't live for more than a couple of minutes, and there won't
00:40:57be enough time to save the organs.
00:40:59What?
00:41:01Don't you remember?
00:41:02He told us she could live for up to a couple of days.
00:41:04Well, that's not what he's saying now.
00:41:07Maybe we should call somebody else.
00:41:08Yeah, like who?
00:41:10I don't know.
00:41:10Um, somebody at the hospital.
00:41:14Call the maternity ward.
00:41:16Yeah.
00:41:16Ask for a nurse.
00:41:18She might tell us who to contact you.
00:41:19Well, yeah, this really doesn't make any sense, you know.
00:41:26I don't know how many times I've heard about babies desperately needing organs, and here
00:41:30we are, willing to contribute.
00:41:34I see.
00:41:36Okay, thank you.
00:41:38What?
00:41:39I don't know.
00:41:40I can't put my finger on it, but these doctors are reacting very strangely.
00:41:46They're almost hostile.
00:41:47Hostile?
00:41:48Why?
00:41:49Yeah, I don't know.
00:41:50But as soon as I mention the baby's got anencephaly, they just turn off.
00:41:55Maybe they know something we don't.
00:41:57Yeah, they must.
00:42:00Hello.
00:42:03Mr. and Mrs. Holt from Leonard Bailey.
00:42:05Sorry to keep you waiting.
00:42:07It's all right.
00:42:07It's nice to meet you, doctor.
00:42:08My wife and I are very anxious to find out everything we can about the heart transplant.
00:42:12You know, you have a rare and wonderful opportunity here.
00:42:15What do you mean?
00:42:16Well, usually a baby is born, and then when you discover the heart problem, he's put in
00:42:21intensive care and massaged along until we come up with a donor.
00:42:24But sometimes it's too late because the baby's too sick.
00:42:27But in our case, our baby's been diagnosed before birth.
00:42:29Exactly.
00:42:30That gives us a full month to set everything up and line up a donor.
00:42:35Now, we can deliver the baby and immediately do the heart transplant.
00:42:38I know what you're thinking.
00:42:39For two days, you've been hearing about the risks, side effects, the possibilities, complications.
00:42:47But the truth is that newborns, they often have less problems with surgery and tissue rejection
00:42:53than adults do.
00:42:54How many patients have you had?
00:42:56Seven so far.
00:42:57This is my oldest.
00:43:02He just had his third birthday.
00:43:05He's a charmer, isn't he?
00:43:11But you really don't know what the future holds for these children.
00:43:14I don't know what the future holds for any of us, Mr. Hope.
00:43:17Do you?
00:43:17But whatever you decide, you have to both agree on it.
00:43:22This decision will affect the rest of your lives.
00:43:25And you'll need each other's support now more than ever.
00:43:41Daddy!
00:43:44Oh, sweetheart, I missed you so much.
00:43:47How was the trip?
00:43:49Fine.
00:43:51How was everything here?
00:43:52We had a great time.
00:43:55Gord's business meeting go well.
00:43:57It's too soon to tell.
00:43:59How did boy, huh?
00:44:00How did no one, huh?
00:44:04I had to read him an extra story.
00:44:11Make up.
00:44:12He's asleep now.
00:44:13You know, we have to talk.
00:44:24You want to go ahead with it?
00:44:26Yeah.
00:44:26I just keep hearing the facts.
00:44:32Two out of seven died.
00:44:35That means five lit.
00:44:39Never been tried on a newborn before.
00:44:41That's a chance.
00:44:42But to what end?
00:44:50I know that we can't predict the future, but...
00:44:53Even the oldest surviving patient is only three.
00:44:58How many years will our boy have?
00:45:00One?
00:45:01Three?
00:45:04Ten?
00:45:07And how will he live them?
00:45:10Sick?
00:45:11In pain?
00:45:14In and out of hospitals?
00:45:17Beyond medication every single day of his life?
00:45:20Is that the quality of life that I want to offer my son?
00:45:33Could I look into his eyes and know that I had done right for him?
00:45:40You're about to think of the kind of life he's going to lead.
00:45:43I can't close my eyes thinking about it.
00:45:50Every time I think of him at three or ten or twenty.
00:46:00The joy of it is clouded by the vision that frightens me.
00:46:06I don't have a crystal ball court.
00:46:11I can't see him tomorrow.
00:46:13But I can't see him today.
00:46:19He's alive.
00:46:22Inside of me.
00:46:25I can feel him kicking.
00:46:28I can feel him moving in my body.
00:46:33He's real to me now.
00:46:38This is my little boy.
00:46:40And every time I think of how his life is going to end before it even begins.
00:46:47It fills me with so much grief.
00:46:49And I know that if we don't do this, if we don't take this chance,
00:47:00the only alternative left for our baby is death.
00:47:15For our baby is death.
00:47:18I know that.
00:47:26Still, I don't know what to think.
00:47:27I need a clear head, honey.
00:47:37I need a clear head, honey.
00:47:37Dr. Garland.
00:47:45Dr. Garland, Fred, Karen, hi, hi, listen, uh, we need to talk with you, sure, sit down.
00:48:15We know there's something you're not telling us, something that no one's telling us.
00:48:28Why can't we donate the baby's organs? What's the problem?
00:48:31Fred, it's not a problem. It's just very controversial, that's all.
00:48:35Why?
00:48:36Why? Well, because even though your baby may be legally brain dead, her heart is still beating and will be kept beating until the moment of the transplant.
00:48:45Now, there are some people who consider a body with a beating heart to be still alive.
00:48:49Why can't the baby die a natural death before you take the heart?
00:48:54That's just not how it's done.
00:48:57Look, you two, you, you have enough to grapple with without this.
00:49:03Let's just get through the birth and put this behind us.
00:49:07Start thinking about the next baby, okay?
00:49:09I mean, that's where you should be focusing your energy right now, on the future.
00:49:15I mean, that's where you should be focusing your energy right now, on the future.
00:49:45I mean, Dr. Garland's right, you know.
00:49:51I couldn't let them take our baby's organs if her heart was still beating.
00:49:55It just wouldn't be right.
00:50:00I know.
00:50:04Makes me feel sad now.
00:50:09She's gonna have lived and died.
00:50:13Barely a trace.
00:50:15Did I tell you I love you?
00:50:24Not today.
00:50:32I love you.
00:50:33There you go.
00:50:42You and you.
00:50:45What do you say?
00:50:47Slow down.
00:50:50There you go.
00:51:12Here.
00:51:14Here.
00:51:14Here.
00:51:15you know if we go to california you'll have to make all new friends i know
00:51:24i either have to sell the business or commute back and forth which would mean you'd be down
00:51:32there all alone i know it's complete up here completely change our lives
00:51:39which leaves me with one last question
00:51:42which is who am i to deprive this child of life
00:51:47even if it's only a chance who am i to tell him he doesn't have that chance
00:51:56we'll manage somehow
00:52:03we'll take out a loan if we have to
00:52:07oh god i love you
00:52:12i love you i love you so much
00:52:15it's just a year right and what is a year and whole lifetime
00:52:19the baby in mommy's tummy has something wrong with his heart
00:52:35so he has to have an operation
00:52:38what's an operation
00:52:43well
00:52:45after the baby's born
00:52:48they're going to take out his bad heart
00:52:51and put in a brand new healthy one
00:52:55it's called a heart transplant jace
00:52:58does it hurt
00:53:00no
00:53:01the baby will be asleep he won't feel anything
00:53:04but he will be sick for a while afterwards
00:53:07you have to stay in the hospital
00:53:09and then when he comes home we'll have to take extra special care of him
00:53:13can i still play with him
00:53:16at the beginning no but after he gets better of course
00:53:22do you understand everything we're telling you
00:53:24yeah
00:53:27any questions you want to ask us
00:53:31do i have to have a heart transplant too
00:53:34oh honey no no of course not
00:53:39you have a healthy heart
00:53:41it's perfectly fine the way it is
00:53:46any RA unit
00:53:48the owner of third base
00:53:49you're not going to believe this
00:54:03Garland is on vacation
00:54:05what
00:54:06who's going to deliver the baby
00:54:07Dr. Kramer the doctor on call is coming down now
00:54:18if she's alive friend i want to see her
00:54:20no matter what ok
00:54:21ok
00:54:22ok
00:54:24breathe
00:54:26breathe breathe
00:54:31you're doing great here
00:54:32now let's have another little push
00:54:35good
00:54:37good
00:54:38good
00:54:39and one more
00:54:40that's right
00:54:41big one
00:54:42good
00:54:43good Karen very
00:54:44good
00:54:45good
00:54:46big push
00:54:47big push
00:54:48ok big push this is the big one
00:54:49yeah
00:54:50no
00:54:51no
00:54:52no
00:54:53no
00:54:54here she comes
00:54:55and here she is
00:54:57is she alive
00:55:00is the baby living
00:55:03yes she's alive
00:55:07would you like to see her
00:55:08yeah
00:55:09yeah
00:55:10yeah absolutely
00:55:11yeah
00:55:12alright
00:55:13just a minute
00:55:14hi
00:55:15the
00:55:32i
00:55:33Oh, Fred, look at her.
00:55:48She's so beautiful.
00:55:51Her little mom's the angel.
00:55:55I love you.
00:55:56I love her.
00:55:59Fred, come on, you don't tell me.
00:56:03Come on, baby, sweetheart.
00:56:10Why does she look so normal?
00:56:14Why does she have to look so normal?
00:56:19Why did you pay me?
00:56:33Your name is Gabriel.
00:56:38For the angel that guards the gates of heaven.
00:56:41Karen.
00:57:03get the doctor
00:57:11Dr. Kramer
00:57:27let's have a look
00:57:28her color is changing and her pulse is starting to fade
00:57:40we can bring her back to the nursery
00:57:43no, no, we want to be with her to the end
00:57:45as long as she's not in any pain
00:57:47no, she's not in any pain
00:57:49she looks so perfect
00:57:53well, in most ways she is
00:57:58I don't know if this will make you uncomfortable
00:58:01but
00:58:02have you thought of donating her organs?
00:58:06we contacted several doctors
00:58:08in hospitals, they all discouraged us
00:58:10they said it was too controversial
00:58:12that's not their decision to make
00:58:14it's yours
00:58:14let me ask you something
00:58:19there is still a chance to donate
00:58:22her organs
00:58:23do you want to?
00:58:25no, not if her baby won't die a natural death
00:58:27but we couldn't take the organs unless she did
00:58:30excuse me
00:58:32your baby will die within minutes
00:58:36we can't change that
00:58:37her heart will stop beating and she'll be gone
00:58:41we can't revive her
00:58:43but we can keep the organs functioning
00:58:45by mechanically maintaining her blood flow to them
00:58:48believe me
00:58:49your baby is dying a natural death
00:58:52I want life to mean something
00:59:02I know
00:59:04we don't have much time
00:59:10yes
00:59:20yes
00:59:22hello
00:59:44Alice
00:59:45it's Sherry Mathis
00:59:47we have a donor
00:59:48Dr. Bailey wants you here by tomorrow morning
00:59:51but my baby's not due for another three weeks
00:59:54that can't be helped, Alice
00:59:55the heart is available now
00:59:57throw some things in a suitcase
00:59:58and get down here
00:59:59knock them down
01:00:02scared them
01:00:03that's a ball one
01:00:04that was the hospital
01:00:07they want us on the plane tonight
01:00:08come on, Alice
01:00:10let's go
01:00:11come on
01:00:12Dr. Bailey
01:00:12to the solarium
01:00:13drop a witness to the solarium
01:00:15please
01:00:15all right
01:00:16just call me
01:00:19all right
01:00:19bye
01:00:21bye
01:00:22stop your task
01:00:26if you want to go on
01:00:27please
01:00:28please
01:00:28please
01:00:29stop your
01:00:30hello
01:00:30please
01:00:30please
01:00:31please
01:00:32please
01:00:33please
01:00:34please
01:00:35please
01:00:36please
01:00:37please
01:00:38we're losing her
01:00:40we're losing her
01:00:41we're losing her
01:00:42flatline
01:00:43let's hit it later
01:00:44go home
01:00:45let's hit it later
01:00:47stop your head
01:00:48stop your head
01:00:49stop your head
01:00:50stop your head
01:00:51stop your head
01:00:52do you mean to tell me
01:00:53there is not one flight
01:00:54to L.A. from Vancouver
01:00:55until tomorrow?
01:00:56well what are people supposed to do?
01:00:58my wife and I have got to get to Los Angeles
01:01:00what?
01:01:03oh this is unbelievable
01:01:06what?
01:01:07not only are there no flights to L.A. there's a storm coming that might shut down the airport
01:01:11what are we gonna do?
01:01:12I don't know
01:01:17what about one of those air ambulance things? they fly everywhere, don't they?
01:01:21I don't know
01:01:22I don't know
01:01:23well let's find out
01:01:27yeah would you please
01:01:28please page Dr. Franklin for me
01:01:29this is Gordon Hulk
01:01:30and it's an emergency
01:01:31no that's fine
01:01:34that tube
01:01:36is that keeping her alive?
01:01:37yeah that
01:01:38and the oxygen
01:01:39the heat inside the incubator
01:01:41but she's not alive
01:01:43in the true sense of the word
01:01:44I mean without this respirator
01:01:45she wouldn't be able to breathe on her own
01:01:47where are you taking her?
01:01:49Karen
01:01:51if you're not comfortable with this decision
01:01:53no
01:01:54just tell me
01:01:55we're flying her to Loma Linda California
01:02:18hello?
01:02:20Dr. Franklin, does you have any luck?
01:02:24oh that's great
01:02:25yeah that's terrific
01:02:29yeah yeah we'll be there
01:02:32okay thank you and God bless you
01:02:34he says it took a lot of arm twisting
01:02:35but he got government approval for an infant transport team to fly us down there
01:02:38the plane leaves at midnight
01:02:41get the bag
01:02:44are you going to get the baby's new apartment?
01:02:46yes sweetheart
01:02:47and as soon as everything's okay
01:02:48we're going to send for you
01:02:49so you can see him
01:02:50okay?
01:02:52where do they get the heart, Mom?
01:02:58from another baby who doesn't need it anymore, honey
01:03:08we're going to see if we can touch her
01:03:10oh sorry
01:03:18okay Gabriel
01:03:19okay Gabriel
01:03:21you have to say goodbye now
01:03:23hey
01:03:25you're brave girl, sweet girl
01:03:28you're the best, bravest girl in the world
01:03:32we love you so much
01:03:35we're so proud of you
01:03:37I'm sorry
01:03:38we have to go now
01:03:40okay
01:03:41goodbye
01:03:44goodbye, Rachel
01:03:47oh
01:03:48no
01:03:49no
01:03:50no
01:03:51no
01:03:52no
01:03:54no
01:03:55no
01:03:56no
01:03:57no
01:03:58no
01:03:59no
01:04:00no
01:04:01no
01:04:02no
01:04:03no
01:04:04you sure you understand about the burglar alarm don't worry we'll be fine we better get going
01:04:10it's pouring up there we have a long ride i like it oh you'll be good i did just remember alice
01:04:17no matter what happens you did everything you could thank you
01:04:22i love you
01:04:25more kiss
01:04:28i love you
01:04:58now it's just you and me again
01:05:12like in the beginning
01:05:20come on
01:05:26what time is it
01:05:36it's uh 11 30. please go
01:05:40please go don't let him cancel his phone don't let him cancel his phone okay here we go here we go
01:05:56sorry folks we're gonna be stuck here for a while it's a big storm on the west coast everything's
01:06:06delayed how long do you think it'll be before we take off every plane down there from new york to denver is backed up we're gonna have to wait our turn
01:06:16i see something up ahead
01:06:29i see something up ahead
01:06:41Oh, my God, it's on your head.
01:07:04All right.
01:07:05Mike Tango, Charlie Medivac, clear for takeoff on 06 left.
01:07:09Mike Tango, Charlie Medivac, rolling runway 06 left.
01:07:12We finally got the all clear.
01:07:13Fasten your seatbelts, please.
01:07:16About time?
01:07:17It's been an hour and a half.
01:07:19Exactly how much oxygen do we have?
01:07:21It takes good for eight hours.
01:07:23How long is the flight to Los Angeles?
01:07:25It should take about five and a half hours.
01:07:27Five and a half hours?
01:07:32Frank, can you get a whole flight watch and then get a weather of eight or something else?
01:07:36I want to apply for our guns to the top.
01:07:40We have the latest weather report to the L.A. Basics.
01:07:48Lifeguard here at UCN Papa, this is a flight launch.
01:07:52Be advised, there's heavy fog reporting in the L.A. area.
01:07:57And report with your response is in.
01:08:00Visibility at Ontario Airport.
01:08:03Report it's one half mile in the long.
01:08:05We copy that, thank you.
01:08:09We receive lifeguard Charlie.
01:08:11We're popping here.
01:08:12The weather doesn't look good.
01:08:13We're going to have to see that.
01:08:14It's okay.
01:08:16It's okay.
01:08:16You all right?
01:08:18Oh, come on.
01:08:19It's okay.
01:08:22Denver Center.
01:08:23This is lifeguard Mike Tango, Charlie.
01:08:25We have to redirect to Denver for fuel.
01:08:27Lifeguard Mike Tango, Charlie.
01:08:29Clear for the station.
01:08:30What's the oxygen level?
01:08:33One eighth of the tank left.
01:08:37Wait, wait a minute.
01:08:38Are we descending?
01:08:41We can't be.
01:08:42We're not close to all that yet.
01:08:43No, we're descending.
01:08:46Excuse me.
01:08:47What's going on?
01:08:48Are we landing somewhere?
01:08:50Denver.
01:08:51These headwinds are killing us.
01:08:52We've got to refuel.
01:08:53That's impossible.
01:08:54With all these delays, we're running out of oxygen.
01:08:56The baby's not going to make it.
01:08:57I'm sorry, doctor, but unless we land, neither will we.
01:09:01Put us in touch with the hospital closest to the airport.
01:09:04Denver Tower.
01:09:05This is lifeguard Mike.
01:09:06Roger.
01:09:07What is your NDA?
01:09:11Clear for work at the station.
01:09:13Yes, I gave you all of these.
01:09:19Denver Tower.
01:09:20This is Mike Tango, Charlie.
01:09:21Any word on that oxygen yet?
01:09:22Mike, I'm Mike Tango, Charlie.
01:09:24Tell the doctors to hang in there.
01:09:25Oxygen is on the way.
01:09:27Roger.
01:09:27Right.
01:09:28See there.
01:09:30Unit 22.
01:09:31Unit 22.
01:09:32Traffic access.
01:09:34Mountain and Colorado.
01:09:35Wind on.
01:09:40Ground controls.
01:09:41Lifeguard Mike Tango, Charlie.
01:09:43We are clear.
01:09:45That's it.
01:09:45No more oxygen.
01:09:46I need warm blankets, warm towels, anything to keep the baby's temperature from dropping.
01:09:50It's going to desaturate.
01:09:51That can't be helpful.
01:09:52Loma Linda will have to deal with that when we get there.
01:09:54Please hurry.
01:09:54Hurry.
01:09:54This won't work for long.
01:10:06Thank you very much.
01:10:09Keep it up.
01:10:13Blood pressure's dropping.
01:10:14Where the hell is that oxygen?
01:10:26Come on.
01:10:27We're a little bigger.
01:10:34I've got the towels.
01:10:35Good.
01:10:35Let's go.
01:10:36All right, folks.
01:10:53We're preparing to land.
01:10:54Guys, if you'd please make sure your seatbelts are fastened.
01:10:57We're going to be on an instrument approach to the fog at the airport.
01:11:02Tower, this is Charlie, Julia, Papa.
01:11:04We're at the out of market.
01:11:06Roger.
01:11:06Lifeguard Charlie, Julia, Papa.
01:11:08Runway one-half mile in fog.
01:11:10You're clear to land.
01:11:11Roger.
01:11:11One thousand to go.
01:11:37Four hundred a month.
01:11:38Four hundred a month.
01:11:38100 above
01:11:44Contact
01:11:47Runway 12 o'clock
01:11:48I have runway
01:11:49Happy landing, Sparks
01:12:02We just heard that the donor babies arrived at Mama Linda
01:12:08She's desaturated
01:12:34She needs more oxygen
01:12:36Bring that warmer over
01:12:38Alice, Gordon
01:12:53A complication has come up with your donor
01:12:57During the flight
01:12:58The heart's not contracting normally
01:13:01But there's a good chance
01:13:03That with therapy over the next 24 hours
01:13:05Her condition may improve
01:13:06And if the water's not producing 15 minutes
01:13:07A strong natural
01:13:17And I can't remember
01:13:18I can't remember
01:13:19So there now
01:13:20I can't remember
01:13:21All of those
01:13:22So
01:13:23The baby responded to 40 cc's of saline and the heart returned to normal sinus rhythm.
01:13:43Well, I would like to schedule surgery no later than this afternoon before any further complications occur.
01:13:48Uh, before we proceed, I'd like to reassess the baby's neurological functions.
01:13:54Why?
01:13:55Surely she was evaluated before they'd ever let her leave Canada.
01:14:00She was taken off the resuscitation three separate times.
01:14:03Every time she was pronounced dead.
01:14:05I know, Leonard, but there are people on my staff who are not comfortable with the use of anencephalic donors.
01:14:12I'd like to be able to reassure them that this baby meets the strict legal criteria of total brain death.
01:14:17To be honest, I'm not that comfortable with it either.
01:14:20Why not?
01:14:22Well, this baby is a minor who cannot consent to be a donor on her own,
01:14:26who was still alive when first considered to be a donor,
01:14:28and who now is being kept alive for the sole benefit of another baby.
01:14:32Joe, this baby was born with no cerebral cortex, and its brainstem no longer functions.
01:14:38She has no spontaneous respiration, no ocular reflex, no gag reflex.
01:14:43She feels nothing.
01:14:45Legally and clinically, she's dead.
01:14:46But ethically?
01:14:47Ethically, we can take her off and resuscitate her and let her and the whole baby die.
01:14:52Or we can use her heart to keep another child alive.
01:14:55The only choice we have is to lose one life or to lose two.
01:14:58Hello, Mrs. Shelton?
01:15:06Yes?
01:15:08My name is Sherry Mathis, and I'm the transplant coordinator of the Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, California.
01:15:14Mrs. Shelton, your daughter is scheduled to become a heart donor to an infant down here,
01:15:19and I know we have your written consent, but we'd like to confirm that decision.
01:15:24Are you and your husband absolutely positive you want your daughter to be a donor?
01:15:28It's Loma Linda.
01:15:30They want to know if we're positive.
01:15:32We want her to be a heart donor.
01:15:34There's no question in our minds.
01:15:36Great.
01:15:37Have you thought about it, Gord?
01:15:43Hmm.
01:15:46Our baby's heart belonging to somebody else's child.
01:15:53A lot?
01:15:57That mother must be a very special woman.
01:16:04Alice?
01:16:05It's time to deliver your son.
01:16:13This is it?
01:16:16All right.
01:16:18Here we go, Mrs. Holton.
01:16:21I want to go back.
01:16:22Yeah.
01:16:27Yeah, yeah.
01:16:30Okay, Alice, the transplant team is set up in the operating room next door.
01:16:35We're going to deliver the baby.
01:16:38Dr. Kelly will examine him, and then Dr. Bailey will give him a new heart.
01:16:41Okay?
01:16:43Now, I know that this has been a difficult time for both of you.
01:16:46It's a time, in my experience, when it's helpful to draw on all the support that you can find.
01:16:51Now, if you would like to have a prayer before we begin, we would be happy to do that.
01:16:55Now, we often do that here at Loma Linda.
01:16:58It isn't necessary.
01:16:59It's only if you feel comfortable.
01:17:01Yes, we'd like that very much.
01:17:02Dear Lord, we've got Alice here who is really concerned about her baby.
01:17:13We do not know what the outcome will be.
01:17:15We ask you to be with her and to give her the peace and the strength to get through this.
01:17:20And to be with me and the operating team so that we may operate effectively and efficiently.
01:17:26May your will be done.
01:17:29Amen.
01:17:30Amen.
01:17:31Okay.
01:17:32Let's do it.
01:17:33Heart rate is steady at 82 feet per minute.
01:17:39I've got a bleeder here I need to tie off.
01:17:42Here you go.
01:17:43Let's clamp, please.
01:17:46It's fine.
01:17:49Your heart rate's holding steady.
01:17:50You're doing great.
01:17:51All right.
01:17:52If you're okay, just relax.
01:17:54Pressure normal.
01:17:55Good.
01:17:58Here we go.
01:17:59It's going to take two more.
01:18:01Respiration 16.
01:18:03We've got a baby.
01:18:05That's it.
01:18:07I'll let you see in just a minute.
01:18:12Thank you, Stephen.
01:18:13Karen.
01:18:15He looks great.
01:18:16Mom!
01:18:18Oh, he looks terrific.
01:18:19Mom!
01:18:20Mom!
01:18:23Look at this.
01:18:27Mom!
01:18:28Mom!
01:18:28Mom!
01:18:29Mom!
01:18:29Mom!
01:18:30Mom!
01:18:30Mom!
01:18:31Mom!
01:18:31Mom!
01:18:32Mom!
01:18:32Mom!
01:18:33Mom!
01:18:33Mom!
01:18:34Mom!
01:18:34Mom!
01:18:35Mom!
01:18:35Mom!
01:18:36Mom!
01:18:36Mom!
01:18:37Mom!
01:18:37Take him.
01:18:38Take him.
01:18:38Take him.
01:18:39What happened?
01:18:39Ellen!
01:18:40He stopped breathing.
01:18:41Okay.
01:18:42Quick bag and mask.
01:18:43I need a 3,500 tracheal tube.
01:18:44Right.
01:18:45Start an IV.
01:18:46I want to cross the gland and drift.
01:18:47Sally, hook up an EKG monitor.
01:18:48All right.
01:18:49You're ready for this.
01:18:50Come on.
01:18:51You all right?
01:18:52Start IV right here.
01:18:53It's going to be okay.
01:18:54Here we go.
01:18:55We're ready.
01:18:56You're safe.
01:18:57You're safe.
01:18:58You're safe.
01:18:59You're safe.
01:19:00It's going to be okay.
01:19:01Here we go.
01:19:02Your safe supervisor to ICU.
01:19:04Your safe supervisor to ICU.
01:19:06Your safe supervisor to ICU.
01:19:08You're safe.
01:19:22The baby went into heart failure, but we stabilized him in time.
01:19:25Dr. Bailey is performing the transplant now.
01:19:36Are we getting proper flow?
01:19:37Yes.
01:19:39Scalpel.
01:19:43Suction, please.
01:19:46Monitor on.
01:19:53Here you go.
01:19:59So how long does everything take?
01:20:02Well, best scenario, two and a half hours.
01:20:04Can you tell us anything about the donors?
01:20:07We can't give out that information.
01:20:09Please.
01:20:11It's very important to me.
01:20:12Was it a girl or a boy?
01:20:15It was a girl.
01:20:17Did she have a name?
01:20:19Alice.
01:20:20Please.
01:20:21Just a first name.
01:20:25Gabriel.
01:20:29Gabriel.
01:20:30If our son survives this, I'd like to have their name and their address, please.
01:20:39Alice, that's impossible.
01:20:41But couldn't you at least check with them?
01:20:44These people are giving our son life.
01:20:46We can't pretend they don't exist.
01:20:47We can't pretend they don't exist.
01:20:56Clamp.
01:20:57Clamp.
01:20:58The pressure is fine.
01:20:59Work two hours, 35 minutes.
01:21:00The pressure is fine.
01:21:01Work two hours, 35 minutes.
01:21:13Okay, now I'm going to remove the aortic clamp.
01:21:15Come on.
01:21:16Come on, now.
01:21:17Come on, now.
01:21:18Come on, now.
01:21:19Come on, now.
01:21:20Hello.
01:21:21Hi, Connie.
01:21:22Okay, yeah, okay.
01:21:23Yeah, we'll call you right back.
01:21:24Here.
01:21:25Get up.
01:21:26Get up.
01:21:27Channel three.
01:21:28Channel three.
01:21:29Channel three.
01:21:30The news.
01:21:31At Lola Linda University Medical Center in California, the youngest patient in medical
01:21:42history received a heart transplant in a two-and-a-half-hour surgery.
01:21:46Baby Paul, delivered by cesarean section in order to undergo the procedure, was only three
01:22:05hours old when Dr. Leonard Bailey, using an anencephalic donor, successfully replaced
01:22:11his defective heart.
01:22:13What a remarkable story.
01:22:16Over to you now, Dave.
01:22:17I'll get it.
01:22:18I'll get it.
01:22:19Katie.
01:22:20And it was a big day today.
01:22:27Good evening, Mrs. Shelton.
01:22:28Yeah.
01:22:29Here you go.
01:22:40Flowers from who?
01:22:41I don't know.
01:22:45There is nothing more pure and beautiful than the heart of a child.
01:22:58Thank you for your great gift to our son.
01:23:02May God bless you.
01:23:03Alice Gordon-Hulk.
01:23:04Alice Gordon-Hulk.
01:23:05Alice Gordon-Hulk.
01:23:06Alice Gordon-Hulk.
01:23:07Morning.
01:23:08P ì •í™•ament.
01:23:09Dear Karen.
01:23:10Have thought about you many times and have often wanted to write.
01:23:22Dear Karen, I've thought about you many times and have often wanted to write.
01:23:38But what do you say to a woman who first loses her baby and then her husband from a heart attack?
01:23:44When I heard about Fred, I was so sorry.
01:23:46I started so many letters to you, but I knew that nothing I could say could possibly mean anything.
01:23:53And maybe I even felt guilty about my own good fortune while you were experiencing so much pain.
01:24:00Even so, the past five years have not been easy for us.
01:24:04After we returned from California, Paul's health and medical care continued to dominate our lives.
01:24:10This year, for the first time, he's finally in good shape.
01:24:13And that's why we want you to be our guest in Vancouver.
01:24:16To help us celebrate the fifth birthday of someone who is as much a part of you as he is of us.
01:24:24I would love to meet you, Karen, but more important, I would love Paul to meet you.
01:24:30He knows that it took two of us to give him life.
01:24:34And that because of you, he will celebrate this birthday and many birthdays to come.
01:24:39Please visit us and share our happiness.
01:24:44Sincerely, Alice Hulk
01:24:46Thomasシルク, he's the stomach to begin with his birthday.
01:24:50Bakka.
01:24:56Seeing theahahaha
01:24:57Sincerely, Alice in England
01:24:58Maya
01:24:59Sincerely, Alice in England
01:25:02Paris
01:25:04Sincerely, Alice
01:25:06Explain the way
01:25:07I still love Paul
01:25:09Cameras
01:25:10Ãm
01:25:11Karen, Alice, I'm so glad you could come, me too.
01:25:41Karen, this is my husband, Gordon.
01:25:57It's nice to meet you.
01:26:02Jason?
01:26:07This is my older son, Jason.
01:26:09Hello.
01:26:10Paul!
01:26:11Paul!
01:26:12There's somebody here I'd like you to meet.
01:26:17This is the very special lady I told you about.
01:26:21Karen, this is Paul Gabriel Bailey Hulk.
01:26:29Hi, Paul.
01:26:30Hi.
01:26:31Hi, Paul.
01:26:32Hi.
01:26:33Hi, Paul.
01:26:34Bye.
01:26:35Bye.
01:26:36Hi, Paul.
01:26:39All right.
01:26:43Hi.
01:26:44Go, God.
01:26:45Hello.
01:26:47Hi, Paul.
01:26:49Thanks, Paul.
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