Colette Cook Hasty
November 15, 2024
Colette was given the diagnosis of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Trisomy 6p Unique a few weeks later from her genetic testing. Initially before even getting a full picture of what HLHS was, we were told to abort our first child. We refused and chose life instead for her! We didn’t care what “could be wrong” and knew also, just because something is seen or found out, does not mean your child will have those issues (as some diagnosis’ self correct in utero) and some are never seen once born, to boot! We did our research and Colette had a very extreme case of HLHS, so extreme no one in the state would take her on! Our OB quit seeing us and passing us off to a NP or another nurse at appointments and at ultrasounds (since we are high risk and went in very often) would tell us to brace for her being dead. Eventually a surgeon at Dell Children’s Hospital agreed to take on our very sick, very rare mix of heart issues with the promise he would do everything humanly possible, but also, her being alive this long on the pregnancy, was a miracle in itself!
It took a toll! It was our first baby and instead of showers and nursery designing, we were being told our daughter had a 1% chance at surviving and asking about how we wanted to intervene with her care at birth. It took a toll mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We walked some of the darkest days of my life, truly understanding holding joy and pain simultaneously. We celebrated her birth and sobbed at her death.
Colette has changed lives! Her drop has made a ripple effect in our lives, community and others we know. We set up a business in her name, we would have never done without her life’s impact. I’ve walked deep darkness at her loss and deep joy at holding her the first time and seeing her numbers in the NICU be the best they were her whole life! She knew my voice, even while intubated, and would turn to my voice. When I sobbed over hearing she was no longer eligible for surgery, her NICU numbers dropped at my wailing. She always needed me touching her when she hear my voice; she was a pistol!
Even 10 months since Colette’s death, I STILL am connected to Diagnosis to Delivery, encouraging other mamas and walking with them. To not feel alone, to have someone say, “me too” or understand the trial your under, is a priceless gift! Not only that but the support for finding hospitals to contact and try to have Colette be seen at doctors resources galore… I cannot imagine walking that pregnancy without it!