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.
00:00:26A bracelet.
00:00:28Oh, come on.
00:00:28Try and be a little more mad.
00:00:30A bracelet.
00:00:31A bracelet.
00:00:32Right.
00:00:33I got you that last year.
00:00:34That's right.
00:00:35How can 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?
00:00:41Isn't it?
00:00:42It's a golden palomino.
00:00:43You know, if you had a horse for every time you whinny about wanting one, you'd have a
00:00:46herd by now.
00:00:47They're horses.
00:00:48What?
00:00:49They're so beautiful.
00:00:50They're so magnificent.
00:00:51So expensive.
00:00:52So impractical.
00:00:53Dreams aren't supposed to be practical.
00:00:55Well, keep dreaming.
00:00:57All right.
00:00:58Ha, ha, ha.
00:00:59Uh-huh.
00:01:00Yeah.
00:01:01Yeah.
00:01:06Yeah, yeah.
00:01:07You're a re-designed peeler for telephone poles.
00:01:10Oh, that's a military secret.
00:01:37I'm kidding.
00:01:41Do you want to make the tea?
00:01:43The bags are on the top shelf here.
00:01:45Okay.
00:01:49Dinner was great.
00:01:53How's that baby thing coming?
00:01:57Oh, not so good.
00:01:59Well, not that we haven't been trying.
00:02:03It's just that it's been already a year for us,
00:02:05and we both want a baby so badly,
00:02:07and I don't know, maybe it's just not meant to be.
00:02:09Nonsense.
00:02:11You and Fred just work too hard.
00:02:13All you need is a couple of weeks on a beach somewhere
00:02:15with no deadlines and no pressures.
00:02:17That sounds great, but it's not very realistic.
00:02:19Fred's in the middle of a project.
00:02:21I'm doing all the repairs at the house.
00:02:23The animals need tending, too.
00:02:25Not tonight.
00:02:27I finally got the fireplace in the guest room working.
00:02:31There's a stereo, great music, scented candles.
00:02:35What are you doing?
00:02:37You're setting the mood.
00:02:39I want you two to relax and enjoy yourselves.
00:02:43I'm so embarrassed.
00:02:45I'm so embarrassed.
00:02:47I think you're wise to me, too.
00:02:49I'm so embarrassed.
00:02:51I'm so embarrassed.
00:02:53I think you're wise to me, too.
00:02:55Now you want to get around.
00:02:57Which one?
00:02:59Right here.
00:03:00Sit down.
00:03:01Okay, okay.
00:03:02Oh, it's like that.
00:03:03Here's the pictures.
00:03:04That's fine.
00:03:06Alice Hall?
00:03:07Sure.
00:03:08I love it.
00:03:10Dr. Franklin.
00:03:13Hello.
00:03:14Oh, it's good.
00:03:15Congratulations.
00:03:16It's a normal pregnancy.
00:03:17Oh.
00:03:18It's terrific.
00:03:20Oh, that's wonderful.
00:03:22Wait, Jason finds out.
00:03:24He's been driving us crazy wanting a brother or sister.
00:03:28Well, according to my calculations, he should have one around the first week in November.
00:03:33Why don't you sit down?
00:03:35There are a few things I want to discuss with you.
00:03:40First of all, because of your age, I think an amniocentesis is advisable.
00:03:46Isn't there a risk of miscarriage with an amnio?
00:03:51It's very slight.
00:03:53No, I don't want to take the risk.
00:03:56Alice, when you're 35 years old, the possibility of you having a Down syndrome chart increases.
00:04:02I'd still have the baby.
00:04:05Why don't you both think this over before you make a decision?
00:04:09We have thought it over.
00:04:11You know, it hasn't been easy conceiving this baby.
00:04:15And we're gonna love it no matter what.
00:04:17No matter what.
00:04:28Come on.
00:04:37What do you think of this?
00:04:38I think this is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen.
00:04:42You have no taste.
00:04:44Okay.
00:04:45Um...
00:04:46Hey, what about this eagle?
00:04:48That's the ugliest thing I've ever seen.
00:04:50Oh, this is nice.
00:04:52This is nice.
00:04:53Well, it's all spotted.
00:04:55Well, you can replace the mirror part.
00:04:57Just 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.
00:05:04Well, I love antiques, but they're used.
00:05:06Now, this.
00:05:08This is nice.
00:05:09It'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.
00:05:22What?
00:05:31Well, are you sure?
00:05:35Yeah, sure.
00:05:56Gary!
00:05:57Hey, Gordon.
00:05:58If this flick is too scary, I'm gonna hold you personally responsible.
00:06:00Well, it's not for little kids, you know.
00:06:02Forget little kids.
00:06:03It's my wife I'm worried about.
00:06:05See ya.
00:06:06See ya, Gordon.
00:06:10Hi, how's?
00:06:11Hi, Terry.
00:06:12How's the pregnant lady?
00:06:13Uh, great.
00:06:14You look great.
00:06:16Bye.
00:06:17All right.
00:06:18How are you?
00:06:19Gordon.
00:06:20Hi, Ann.
00:06:21Hi.
00:06:22Just give me a minute.
00:06:23Sure.
00:06:24How to go with the doctor?
00:06:25Okay.
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.
00:06:42How come?
00:06:43Well, you know, my sister has those heart problems, and one of my father's brothers died of a heart defect when he was a child, so the doctor says these things could be genetic.
00:06:57Why didn't he suggest this when you were pregnant with Jason?
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.
00:07:04He didn't say anything was wrong.
00:07:07He just wants to do it for precaution.
00:07:12But you're nervous.
00:07:16Yes, I'm nervous.
00:07:18What if something's wrong after all this?
00:07:20The baby is fine.
00:07:22Just fine.
00:07:23I hope.
00:07:24Look, we've had setbacks and disappointments for the last four years.
00:07:29I'd say we're due for a little good news, hmm?
00:07:34Let's go home.
00:07:38Hello, 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?
00:07:48Well, to see how far along Karen is, the size of the baby, and of course to make sure the baby's developing properly.
00:07:54Was there any reason to think it wouldn't?
00:07:57Well, no, but...
00:07:58Then why should I take any tests?
00:08:01You know, I feel great.
00:08:02You know, I have no morning sickness.
00:08:04I'm full of energy.
00:08:06I'm eating right.
00:08:07I'm taking my vitamins.
00:08:08I'm taking long walks.
00:08:10I don't drink.
00:08:11I don't smoke.
00:08:14It's just that we want to do this as naturally as possible.
00:08:17I see.
00:08:19And does that involve having natural childbirth?
00:08:22Absolutely.
00:08:24In fact, we've decided to have the baby at home.
00:08:28Karen, I wish you would reconsider that.
00:08:31We'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.
00:08:40I know that.
00:08:41But they had no hospital environment to choose from.
00:08:44Karen.
00:08:45Well, it's exactly that hospital environment that I'm not crazy about.
00:08:48I mean...
00:08:50I mean, you know, I...
00:08:51I don't like tests.
00:08:52I don't like needles.
00:08:53I...
00:08:54And you're always hearing, right?
00:08:55That someone went into the hospital for something small,
00:08:57and they come back with a bigger problem,
00:08:59or they don't come out at all.
00:09:01Now, 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
00:09:07without proper medical care.
00:09:09So you think it's too dangerous?
00:09:10Fred?
00:09:12Well, we agreed about this.
00:09:13I know.
00:09:14But 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?
00:09:21Well, 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.
00:09:31This is just like a prenatal ultrasound,
00:09:33except it takes a specialized look at the heart
00:09:35as a separate entity from the whole fetus.
00:09:38All we're going to do is take some pictures.
00:09:40Okay, Susan.
00:09:41Okay.
00:09:57Does everything look all right?
00:10:00Just give me another moment, okay?
00:10:02Okay.
00:10:10Okay.
00:10:11That's fine, Susan.
00:10:15Why don't you get dressed and we'll talk about this in my office?
00:10:18No, 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.
00:10:2624 weeks is too early to see that kind of detail.
00:10:29When will you be sure?
00:10:3128 weeks.
00:10:32We'd have a better idea.
00:10:33But whatever it is,
00:10:34it's something that may be correctable after the baby's born.
00:10:37Correctable how?
00:10:39With surgery.
00:10:41But you won't know for another four weeks.
00:10:44Right.
00:10:46Oh, God.
00:10:47It's okay.
00:10:48It'll be okay.
00:10:59Yeah, man.
00:11:00I know what you're thinking.
00:11:02I know what you're thinking.
00:11:04I take some ice.
00:11:06It'll meet everybody again.
00:11:08Yeah.
00:11:14Stay there, stay there.
00:11:19Lunch.
00:11:20I love being pregnant, you know that?
00:11:24Hey.
00:11:27I love it too.
00:11:30It's been amazing, Fred.
00:11:32We're going to 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?
00:11:42I don't know.
00:11:43Yeah, I don't know.
00:11:44Maybe a little, yeah.
00:11:48I'll tell you one thing, though.
00:11:50It's going to be the most important thing I've ever done in my life.
00:12:08I'm just glad I told you that.
00:12:10Why do you think it was late or something?
00:12:12I don't think he's funny.
00:12:14What do you mean? He's hysterical.
00:12:17Fred, watch out!
00:12:20Damn.
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.
00:12:37Man.
00:12:38Come on, guys.
00:12:49Just give me a chance.
00:12:50Let me finish.
00:12:52Fred?
00:12:52Yeah?
00:12:53I can't feel the baby.
00:12:56What?
00:12:57I 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.
00:13:04Okay, all right.
00:13:04Well, I'll call the doctor.
00:13:06We've got to go to the hospital.
00:13:08Honey, don't panic.
00:13:09I mean, there could be a lot of reasons for this.
00:13:11Like what?
00:13:11Well, I don't know.
00:13:13I'll ask him.
00:13:13I'll call the doctor.
00:13:14But I want to go to the hospital.
00:13:16Now.
00:13:18Okay.
00:13:20We'll go to the hospital.
00:13:21We'll go to the hospital.
00:13:242-8-79, 2-8-79.
00:13:26Brown or Suspense, 8-1-1-7.
00:13:34Oh, my God.
00:13:36Mom?
00:13:39Fred.
00:13:40Oh, okay.
00:13:41It's all right.
00:13:42Okay.
00:13:42Okay.
00:13:42Okay.
00:13:42Okay.
00:13:43Okay.
00:13:43Okay.
00:13:43Okay.
00:13:44Okay.
00:13:44Okay.
00:13:44Okay.
00:13:44Okay.
00:13:45Okay.
00:13:45Okay.
00:13:46Okay.
00:13:46Okay.
00:13:46Okay.
00:13:47Okay.
00:13:47Okay.
00:13:47Okay.
00:13:47Okay.
00:13:48Okay.
00:13:48Okay.
00:13:49Okay.
00:13:49Okay.
00:13:49Okay.
00:13:50Okay.
00:13:50What is this thing?
00:13:53It's called a fetal monitor.
00:13:55It's used to check the baby's heartbeat.
00:14:00There it is.
00:14:01Oh.
00:14:03Do you hear that sound?
00:14:04Is that the most beautiful sound you've ever heard?
00:14:06What did I tell you?
00:14:08I'd like to do an ultrasound as well, just to make sure everything's all right.
00:14:12Why?
00:14:13We heard the heartbeat.
00:14:14Well, the heart's only one organ, Mrs. Shouten.
00:14:16I'd like to have a look at the entire fetus.
00:14:18We don't really like all this technological stuff.
00:14:20I understand, but it's a very safe procedure.
00:14:23It'll only take a couple of minutes.
00:14:25It's better to be safe than sorry.
00:14:27I don't think so.
00:14:27I do.
00:14:30Yeah.
00:14:31Come on.
00:14:31We're here already.
00:14:33We've had a big scare.
00:14:34I'm just not gonna...
00:14:35I don't have any peace of mind unless I know everything's okay.
00:14:38Huh?
00:14:39I was driving the truck.
00:14:40I feel responsible.
00:14:42Okay.
00:14:46Okay.
00:14:47Uh-huh.
00:14:48Okay.
00:14:48You want me to hear something you haven't heard before?
00:14:53Yes.
00:14:54I'm hungry.
00:14:57Okay.
00:14:58All right.
00:14:58That's how we're not.
00:15:00We rent a movie.
00:15:02We go home.
00:15:03We relax.
00:15:04You climb into bed.
00:15:05Is that a bone in there somewhere?
00:15:06Yeah, there's food in here.
00:15:07I'll fix your dinner.
00:15:07I'll bring it to you in bed.
00:15:08Okay.
00:15:09It's okay.
00:15:10It's okay.
00:15:10It's okay.
00:15:10It's an offer I cannot refuse.
00:15:16Who's your obstetrician, Mrs. Sheldon?
00:15:18Dr. Garland, why?
00:15:20I'm gonna call him.
00:15:21I think you should come in for another ultrasound.
00:15:25Why?
00:15:25Did you see something wrong?
00:15:27Oh, I'm sure everything's okay.
00:15:28I'm just the technician, but why don't we wait till we talk to your doctor?
00:15:40And as she puffed down the mutton, she seemed to say, I thought I could.
00:15:44I thought I could.
00:15:46I thought I could.
00:15:49The end.
00:15:50When did it again?
00:15:51Forget it, Buster.
00:15:53It's way past your bedtime.
00:15:55Tomorrow morning?
00:15:58I don't think so.
00:15:59Tomorrow, Mama's going to the doctor.
00:16:01There won't be time.
00:16:02Tomorrow night?
00:16:04We'll see.
00:16:05Sweet dreams, honey.
00:16:06Good night.
00:16:10Mom?
00:16:12Hmm?
00:16:13Can the baby hear things in your stomach?
00:16:21Some doctors say they can.
00:16:23Can I say goodnight to the baby?
00:16:26If you want to.
00:16:33Goodnight, little baby.
00:16:35This is your brother talking.
00:16:37See you in...
00:16:40How many weeks, Mom?
00:16:43Twelve.
00:16:44See you in twelve weeks.
00:16:45I love you.
00:16:46I love you, Jason.
00:16:50Come on.
00:16:52Under the covers.
00:16:54Here we go.
00:16:56Here we go.
00:16:56You working?
00:17:22You working?
00:17:22Well, Dr. Garland called.
00:17:32He wants to see us tomorrow at eleven.
00:17:39What do you think it is, Fred?
00:17:41Well, I think we should wait and talk to the doctor before we jump to any conclusions.
00:17:46Could be Down syndrome.
00:17:47Stop it.
00:17:47Look, I'm not going to 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.
00:18:05I'm scared, Fred.
00:18:05I know.
00:18:06I know.
00:18:06I know.
00:18:24Fred?
00:18:27Garrett?
00:18:30Do you like to sit down?
00:18:32is it bad news i'm afraid so
00:18:38your baby has something called anencephaly which means the brain hasn't developed normally
00:18:46how did this happen no one knows how it happens friend instead of developing normally all she
00:18:56has is a rudimentary brain stem she it's a girl yes is there some kind of surgery some special
00:19:08treatment no i'm i'm afraid not will she die either she will be born dead or she will die
00:19:20it might have been a few days of her birth yeah that's not possible because we hurt her heart beating
00:19:26her heart is fine that's not the problem she's been kicking and moving for months
00:19:32she can't survive and there's no medicine or surgery that will ever change that
00:19:37she's never gonna know us
00:20:05we're never gonna feel her touch
00:20:13we're never gonna hear her laugh
00:20:16we're never gonna watch her take her first step
00:20:22so
00:20:33I'd like to explain to you what we're looking at.
00:20:59Just tell us yes or no.
00:21:03I'm sorry to tell you this, but the left ventricle of the baby's heart is not developing the
00:21:13way it should.
00:21:17What exactly does that mean?
00:21:19A 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.
00:21:37And the right ventricle of the baby's heart is not functioning at all.
00:21:49And the right ventricle of the baby's heart is not functioning at all.
00:21:55And the right ventricle of the baby's heart is not functioning at all.
00:22:07I 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.
00:22:29There's only a 5% chance he'll survive the first 48 hours.
00:22:34It can't be true.
00:22:39Because if it is true, how am I supposed to go through my pregnancy?
00:23:00Oh, God, please.
00:23:04Let's not tell anybody else.
00:23:06I couldn't stand for anybody else to know.
00:23:11We're going to have to tell Jason.
00:23:14How?
00:23:15How 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.
00:23:25I don't know.
00:23:30And 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?
00:23:49Come on, Alice.
00:23:51It's not fair!
00:23:52It's not fair!
00:23:54It's not fair!
00:23:56Shhhh.
00:23:57It's not fair, no.
00:23:59It's not fair.
00:24:00No.
00:24:01Karen, we have to talk.
00:24:31Can you please stop that for just a minute?
00:24:40We have some decisions to make.
00:24:44Garland said he can take the baby now, or you can wait the full nine months.
00:24:51I'm carrying the baby to full-time.
00:24:54Are you sure you want to do that?
00:24:58Isn't that just going to make it harder?
00:25:05No, it won't.
00:25:07I won't have her with me as long as possible.
00:25:09You understand?
00:25:13Karen, she's not going to make it, no matter what.
00:25:16You think I don't know that?
00:25:18All right.
00:25:20Okay, if that's what you want, that's fine.
00:25:23Now we have to decide if you want to have a cesarean section or 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.
00:25:38Let's just say.
00:25:39What do you want?
00:25:40Let's just say it.
00:25:41I know.
00:25:42I know.
00:25:43I know.
00:25:44I know.
00:25:45I know.
00:25:46You know.
00:25:47You know?
00:25:48I can't wait.
00:25:49You know.
00:25:50I know.
00:25:52I know.
00:25:53I know that.
00:25:54You know.
00:25:55I know.
00:25:56You know?
00:25:57You know that I'm not going to get the man.
00:25:59Alice?
00:26:24What are you doing here?
00:26:26I was in the neighborhood. Are you sick?
00:26:30I really wish you would have called first.
00:26:33Well, I have called. Every time I do, Gord says you're sleeping.
00:26:37What's the matter, Alice? Is something wrong?
00:26:39I did. So?
00:26:41Too tired to get even dressed? That's not like you.
00:26:44Mother, I'm not in the mood for criticism.
00:26:48I'm not criticizing Alice. I'm concerned.
00:26:51Okay. All right.
00:26:56There's nothing to be concerned about if I, really.
00:26:59All right.
00:27:00I'm sorry.
00:27:02I guess I've forgotten how hard pregnancy can be.
00:27:05Let me help you.
00:27:08Morning sickness,
00:27:11back pains, swollen feet.
00:27:14It's so worth it in the end, though, isn't it?
00:27:19When you hold that beautiful baby in your arms,
00:27:22it doesn't matter what you're going through.
00:27:25If you told me you were coming, I'd bake something.
00:27:31It's all right.
00:27:32It's all right.
00:27:33Well, the tea's good and hot, anyway.
00:27:35It's all right.
00:27:36Honey, honey.
00:27:38Uh, Karen and I have something to tell you.
00:27:41It's about the baby, and it's not...
00:27:44It's not good news.
00:27:46As a matter of fact, it's pretty bad.
00:27:50The baby has something called anencephaly.
00:27:54And what that means is her brain hasn't developed.
00:27:59There's no cure.
00:28:00There's no way to change it.
00:28:03So she can only live for a couple of days at the most.
00:28:10Oh, my God.
00:28:15Oh, Fred.
00:28:22I'm so sorry.
00:28:24I don't know what to say.
00:28:26Are you sure there's nothing you can do?
00:28:28Yeah.
00:28:29Yeah, for sure.
00:28:31What about you, honey?
00:28:33Are you okay?
00:28:35Does this cause medical problems for you?
00:28:39No, 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.
00:28:56Hey, why not?
00:28:57These doctors don't know everything.
00:28:59Maybe 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.
00:29:17You know why?
00:29:19Because life is hard.
00:29:22And sometimes it's cruel.
00:29:25And it's full of pain and horrible things just happen.
00:29:29And no matter how hard we try and understand it, we never will.
00:29:32Because they've just... happened.
00:29:34And there's nothing that we can do about it.
00:29:35And there's nothing that we can do about it.
00:29:37I don't know...
00:29:39I don't know anything about it.
00:29:41I don't know anything about it.
00:29:43I don't know anything about it.
00:30:45Honey, we can't blame ourselves. It just makes everything worse.
00:30:52Sometimes I wish I could stay pregnant forever.
00:30:56Just to keep her alive.
00:30:57You 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.
00:32:00I'm not ready for it.
00:32:02I'm not ready.
00:32:03I'm not ready for it.
00:32:12I'm not ready for it.
00:32:14Oh, please, God, help me.
00:32:37Give me the strength to bear this, because I don't know what to do.
00:32:40Help me to accept this without going crazy.
00:32:48Please, God, help me.
00:32:50Help me.
00:32:52Shh.
00:32:52Shh.
00:33:10What if I told you there was a chance to replace your baby's heart with a healthy one?
00:33:19You mean a heart transplant?
00:33:24Is that possible?
00:33:24To be honest, I'm not sure, but 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.
00:33:34Now, one of them is Dr. Leonard Bailey, and he's in Loma Linda, California.
00:33:38But what do you mean experiment?
00:33:40Very 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 for surgery.
00:33:50Whereas 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,
00:34:00they'll probably 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 have had transplants.
00:34:33How 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.
00:35:04Dr. Castaneda, report to this man.
00:35:13Mr. and Mrs. Holmes.
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.
00:35:26It's quite comprehensive.
00:35:26We have obstetricians, neonatologists, social workers, psychologists, specialty 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 transplant team.
00:35:43Why 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 to any decision.
00:35:54So, in other words, some people decide not to go through with this?
00:35:58Yes, and 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, not 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.
00:36:24Hi, I'm Dr. Ellen Kelly from the Neomycology Department.
00:36:31When your baby's born, we'll be the ones keeping him in shape to receive a heart as soon 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 a 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?
00:37:04Little patients.
00:37:05Patients.
00:37:06Okay, just a little walk.
00:37:09Enjoy the view.
00:37:12Okay.
00:37:13Okay.
00:37:15Okay.
00:37:16We're here.
00:37:16Okay.
00:37:24It's a horse.
00:37:30You like her.
00:37:33She's, um...
00:37:35She's all yours.
00:37:40You bought me a horse?
00:37:42Yeah.
00:37:44Golden Palomino, just like you want it.
00:37:46Her name's Avalon.
00:37:59I want our baby.
00:38:01Oh, my.
00:38:01I 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?
00:38:31Oh, yes.
00:38:32And we will not accept a patient for transplantation unless the family agrees to relocate to Loma Linda for at least a year.
00:38:39A year?
00:38:40Dr. Cicala, we live in Vancouver.
00:38:45My husband's business might never survive if we left for a year.
00:38:49I know it's an enormous commitment, Mrs. Hulke, but unless we are able to monitor the baby's progress after the transplant,
00:38:55I mean, there really is no point in putting him through all this.
00:39:01A year.
00:39:01A year.
00:39:10A year.
00:39:33Can we talk for a minute?
00:39:58Yeah.
00:39:58Sure.
00:40:03If you really 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?
00:40:18Yeah.
00:40:21Come here.
00:40:21Oh, 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. Brown.
00:40:47Bye.
00:40:50What did he say?
00:40:54He said the baby probably won't live for more than a couple of minutes, and there won't be enough time to save the organs.
00:40:59What?
00:41:01Don't you remember? He 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?
00:41:09I don't know. Um, somebody at the hospital?
00:41:14Call the maternity ward.
00:41:16Yeah.
00:41:16Ask for a nurse. She might tell us who to contact you.
00:41:22Well, 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, you know, here we are, willing to contribute.
00:41:31Uh, I see.
00:41:37Okay, thank you.
00:41:38What?
00:41:39I don't know. I, I can't put my finger on it, but these doctors are reacting very strangely.
00:41:45It's, they're almost hostile.
00:41:47Hostile? Why?
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.
00:42:04I'm Leonard Bailey.
00:42:05Sorry to keep you waiting.
00:42:07It's all right. It'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?
00:42:17Well, usually a baby is born, and then we discover the heart problem.
00:42:20He's put in intensive care and massaged along until we come up with a donor, but sometimes it's too late because the baby's too sick.
00:42:27But in our case, our baby's been diagnosed before birth.
00:42:30Exactly. That 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.
00:42:38Now, I know what you're thinking.
00:42:39For two days, you've been hearing about the risks, the side effects, the possibilities, the complications.
00:42:47But the truth is that newborns, they often have less problems with surgery and tissue rejection than adults do.
00:42:54How many patients have you had?
00:42:56Seven so far.
00:43:00This is my oldest.
00:43:02He just had his third birthday.
00:43:03He'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, do you?
00:43:18But 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.
00:43:27Oh, sweetheart, I missed you so much.
00:43:48How 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 die.
00:43:59How did boy, huh?
00:44:00How did no one, huh?
00:44:09Had to read him an extra story.
00:44:11Make up.
00:44:12He's asleep now.
00:44:19You know, we have to talk.
00:44:24You want to go ahead with it?
00:44:26Yeah.
00:44:27I just keep hearing the facts.
00:44:32Two out of seven died?
00:44:35That means five lived.
00:44:39Never been tried on a newborn before.
00:44:41That's a chance.
00:44:45But to what end?
00:44:46I know that we can't predict the future, but even the oldest surviving patient is only three.
00:44:57How many years will our boy have, one, three, ten, and how will he live them?
00:45:10Sick?
00:45:10Is that the quality of life that I'm going to offer my son?
00:45:23Is that the quality of life that I'm going to offer my son?
00:45:24Could I look into his eyes and know that I had done right for him?
00:45:40You're right to think of the kind of life he's going to lead.
00:45:43I can't close my eyes thinking about it.
00:45:47Every time I think of him at three or ten or twenty.
00:45:54The joy of it is clouded by the vision that frightens me.
00:46:04I don't have a crystal ball cord.
00:46:08I can't look into it.
00:46:09I can't see him tomorrow.
00:46:10I can't see him.
00:46:12I can't see him tomorrow.
00:46:12But I can't see him today.
00:46:17He's alive.
00:46:20Inside of me.
00:46:21I can feel him kicking.
00:46:24I can feel him moving in my body.
00:46:27He's real to me now.
00:46:33I can feel him moving in my body.
00:46:36This is my little boy, and every time I think of how his life is going to end, before it even begins, it 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, the only alternative left for our baby is death.
00:47:19I know that. Still, I don't know what to think.
00:47:34I need a clear head, honey.
00:47:49Dr. Garland?
00:47:51Fred, Karen.
00:47:53Hi.
00:47:54Hi.
00:47:55Hi.
00:47:56Hi.
00:47:57Listen, we need to talk with you.
00:47:58Sure, sit down.
00:48:02We know there's something you're not telling us.
00:48:04Something that no one's telling us.
00:48:05Why can't we donate the baby's organs?
00:48:06What's the problem?
00:48:07Fred, it's not a problem.
00:48:08It's just very controversial.
00:48:09That's all.
00:48:10Why?
00:48:11Why?
00:48:12Well, because even though your baby may be legally brain dead, it's not a problem.
00:48:14It's not a problem.
00:48:15It's just very controversial, that's all.
00:48:16Why?
00:48:17Well, 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.
00:48:31Now, there are some people who consider a body with a beating heart to be still alive.
00:48:47Why can't the baby die a natural death before you take the heart?
00:48:49That's just not how it's done.
00:48:50Look.
00:48:52before you take the heart
00:48:54that's just not how it's done
00:48:59you to you
00:49:00you have enough to grapple with without this
00:49:04let's just get through the birth and put this behind us
00:49:07start thinking about the next baby okay
00:49:11that's where you should be focusing your energy right now
00:49:15on the future
00:49:22I want a sip
00:49:35what is it
00:49:37coffee
00:49:38Dr. Garland's right, you know
00:49:48I couldn't let them take our baby's organs if her heart was still beating
00:49:54this wouldn't be right
00:49:57I know
00:50:00makes me feel sad now
00:50:06she's gonna have lived and died
00:50:11barely a trace
00:50:14did I tell you I love you
00:50:20not today
00:50:25I love you
00:50:32I love you
00:50:33here you go
00:50:42I want you
00:50:44and you
00:50:45what do you say
00:50:47thank you
00:50:47slow down
00:50:49cas'c
00:50:58slow down
00:50:59down
00:51:01here
00:51:03come' here
00:51:03come' here
00:51:04come' here
00:51:05come' outside
00:51:10come' here
00:51:10get it
00:51:11come' here
00:51:11you know if we go to california you'll have to make all new friends i know
00:51:24might either have to sell the business or commute back and forth which would mean you'll 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
00:52:04we'll take out a loan if we have to
00:52:07oh god i love you i love you so much
00:52:15it's just a year right and what is a year in a whole lifetime
00:52:19the baby in mommy's tummy has something wrong with his heart so he has to have an operation
00:52:38what's an operation
00:52:40well after the baby's born they're going to take out his bad heart and put in a brand new healthy one
00:52:54it's called a heart transplant jace does it hurt the baby will be asleep he won't feel anything
00:53:03but he will be sick for a while afterwards you have to stay in the hospital and then when he comes home
00:53:11we'll have to take extra special care of him can i still play with him
00:53:15at the beginning no but after he gets better of course
00:53:20do you understand everything we're telling you
00:53:24yeah
00:53:26any 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 you have a healthy heart it's perfectly fine the way it is
00:53:42you're not going to believe this garland is on vacation what who's going to deliver the baby
00:54:08dr kramer the doctor on call is coming down now
00:54:11if she's alive friend i want to see her no matter what okay
00:54:21okay
00:54:22breathe breathe breathe
00:54:27you're doing great
00:54:32now let's have another little push
00:54:36big push big push okay big push this is the big
00:54:49here she comes and here she is
00:54:58she alive is the baby living yes she's alive
00:55:04would you like to see her
00:55:08yeah yeah absolutely all right
00:55:13just a minute
00:55:15she will use her
00:55:24she will she will leave
00:55:29she will chill
00:55:31yeah
00:55:34okay
00:55:38Fred, look at her.
00:55:48She's so beautiful.
00:55:51I know Mom's little angel.
00:55:55I love her.
00:55:56I love her little girl.
00:55:59Fred, come on.
00:56:00Don't tell me.
00:56:05I'm dead, sweetheart.
00:56:08Why does she look so normal?
00:56:14Why does she have to look so normal?
00:56:19Why did baby?
00:56:35Nurse Mom, your name is Gabriel.
00:56:38For the angel that guards the gates of heaven.
00:56:41I love you.
00:56:41For the angel that guards the gates of heaven.
00:56:41Karen.
00:56:46Karen.
00:56:49Get the doctor.
00:56:54Karen.
00:56:58Get the doctor.
00:57:11Dr. Kramer.
00:57:21Dr. Kramer.
00:57:26Dr. Weiss, Dupree.
00:57:28Let's have a look.
00:57:28Her color is changing and her pulse is starting to fade.
00:57:41We can bring her back to the nursery.
00:57:43No.
00:57:44No, we want to be with her to the end.
00:57:46As long as she's not in any pain.
00:57:47No.
00:57:48She's not in any pain.
00:57:52She looks so perfect.
00:57:53Well, in most ways she is.
00:57:59I don't know if this will make you uncomfortable, but have you thought of donating her organs?
00:58:06Well, we contacted several doctors in the hospitals.
00:58:09They 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.
00:58:20There is still a chance to donate her organs.
00:58:23Do you want to?
00:58:24No.
00:58:25Not if her baby won't die a natural death.
00:58:28But we couldn't take the organs unless she did.
00:58:31Excuse me?
00:58:34Your baby will die within minutes.
00:58:36We can't change that.
00:58:38Her heart will stop beating and she'll be gone.
00:58:41We can't revive her, but we can keep the organs functioning by mechanically maintaining her blood flow to them.
00:58:49Believe me, your baby is dying a natural death.
00:59:00I wanted life to mean something.
00:59:03I know.
00:59:04We don't have much time.
00:59:21Yes.
00:59:22Yes.
00:59:34Oh, I scared him.
00:59:36That's a bald one.
00:59:38Okay.
00:59:39Whoops.
00:59:40Okay, here comes the skin.
00:59:41Here comes the skin.
00:59:42Here you look.
00:59:43Hello?
00:59:45Alice, it's Sherry Mathis.
00:59:47We have a donor.
00:59:49Dr. Bailey wants you here by tomorrow morning.
00:59:52But my baby's not due for another three weeks.
00:59:54That can't be helped, Alice.
00:59:56The heart is available now.
00:59:57Throw some things in a suitcase and get down here.
01:00:01Knock him down.
01:00:02Oh, I scared him.
01:00:03That's a bald one.
01:00:04Warden?
01:00:05Okay, three.
01:00:06That was the hospital.
01:00:07They want us on the plane tonight.
01:00:10Come on, Chase.
01:00:10Let's go.
01:00:11Dr. Lange, go to the cellarion.
01:00:13We're going to pay a miss to the cellarion, please.
01:00:15All right.
01:00:15All right.
01:00:18Just call me.
01:00:19All right.
01:00:21Good-bye.
01:00:25Dr. Lange, go to the cellarion.
01:00:27We're going to pay a miss to the cellarion, please.
01:00:29Yeah, welcome.
01:00:30We're going to pay a miss to the cellarion.
01:00:32The power is in a way to the cellarion.
01:00:34That was good.
01:00:38I think he's dropping.
01:00:39All right.
01:00:41We're losing her.
01:00:43Flat line.
01:00:44Let's see the favor.
01:00:44No phone.
01:00:45Do you mean to tell me there is not one flight to L.A. from Vancouver until tomorrow?
01:00:57Well, what are people supposed to do? My wife and I have got to get to Los Angeles.
01:01:03What?
01:01:05Oh, this is unbelievable.
01:01:07What?
01:01:07Not only are there no flights to L.A., there's a storm coming that might shut down the airport.
01:01:12What are we going to do?
01:01:13I don't know.
01:01:13What about one of those air ambulance things? They fly everywhere, don't they?
01:01:22I don't know.
01:01:23Well, let's find out.
01:01:27Yeah, would you please page Dr. Franklin for me? This is Gordon Hoke and it's an emergency.
01:01:35That too, is that keeping her alive?
01:01:37Yeah, that and the oxygen, the heat inside, do you keep her alive?
01:01:42But she's not alive.
01:01:43In the true sense of the word, I mean, without this respirator, she wouldn't be able to breathe on her own.
01:01:48Where are you taking her?
01:01:50Karen, if you're not comfortable with this decision...
01:01:53No.
01:01:55Just tell me.
01:02:00We're flying her to Loma Linda, California.
01:02:02Dr. Franklin, do you have any luck?
01:02:21Oh, that's great.
01:02:25Yeah, that's terrific.
01:02:26Yeah, 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, but he got government approval for an infant transport team to fly us down there.
01:02:39The plane leaves at midnight.
01:02:41Get the bag.
01:02:41Are you going to get the baby's new heart, Mom?
01:02:47Yes, sweetheart, and as soon as everything's okay, we're going to send for you so you can see him, okay?
01:02:52Where do they get the heart, Mom?
01:02:54From another baby who doesn't need it anymore, honey?
01:03:08I'm going to get to touch her.
01:03:10Oh, sir.
01:03:18Okay, Gabriel.
01:03:19I'm going to sit.
01:03:21I have to say goodbye now.
01:03:24I'm brave, girl, sweet girl.
01:03:29You're the best, bravest girl in the world.
01:03:32I love you so much.
01:03:35I'm so proud of you.
01:03:37I'm sorry.
01:03:38We have to go now.
01:03:42Goodbye, little Rachel.
01:03:43Bye, bye, little Rachel.
01:04:00Oh, you're a good boy.
01:04:02You listen to Grandma.
01:04:03Okay.
01:04:04you sure you understand about the burglar alarm don't worry we'll be fine
01:04:08we better get going it's pouring out there we got a long ride
01:04:12bye-bye kiddo you'll be good
01:04:14just remember alice no matter what happens you did everything you could
01:04:20thank you
01:04:22more kiss
01:04:28I love you
01:04:58now it's just you and me again
01:05:12like in the beginning
01:05:28what time is it
01:05:36it's uh 11 30
01:05:38please go
01:05:40please go
01:05:43don't let him cancel his fall
01:05:45don't let him cancel his fall
01:05:47okay here we go here we go
01:05:58thanks okay good
01:06:09sorry folks we're gonna be stuck here for a while
01:06:16it's a big storm on the west coast everything's delayed
01:06:18how long do you think it'll be before we take off
01:06:21every plane down there from new york to denver is backed up
01:06:24we're gonna have to wait our turn
01:06:25I see something I see something up ahead
01:06:55we're on the back
01:06:57we're on the back
01:06:57we're on the back
01:07:00I got you
01:07:02put your head
01:07:03all right
01:07:04flight tango charlie medevac clear for tank up on 06 left
01:07:08flight tango charlie medevac rolling runway 06 left
01:07:11we finally got the all clear
01:07:13fasten your seatbelts please
01:07:14about time
01:07:17it's been an hour and a half
01:07:18exactly how much oxygen do we have
01:07:21it takes good for eight hours
01:07:22how long is the flight to los angeles
01:07:25should take about five and a half hours
01:07:27five and a half hours
01:07:28Frank can you get a whole flight watch
01:07:34and then you can get a weather of day for something else
01:07:36when you're on the back
01:07:37I want to fly to our young julian papa
01:07:40to be able to weather report for the l.a. base
01:07:43flight guard here
01:07:49it's ok
01:08:03it's ok
01:08:13it's okay it's okay you all right oh come on it's okay
01:08:19denver center this is lifeguard mike tango charlie we have to redirect to denver for fuel
01:08:27lifeguard mike tango charlie what's the oxygen level one eighth of the tank left
01:08:34wait wait a minute are we descending
01:08:39we can't be we're not close to all that yet no we're descending
01:08:44excuse me what's going on are we landing somewhere denver these headwinds are killing
01:08:52us we've got to refuel that's impossible with all these delays we're running out of oxygen
01:08:56the baby's not going to make it i'm sorry doctor but unless we land neither will we
01:09:01put us in touch with the hospital closest to the airport
01:09:03denver tower this is mike tango charlie any word on that oxygen yet lifeguard mike tango charlie
01:09:24can you tell the doctors to hang in their oxygen is on the way roger
01:09:27that's right
01:09:28see there
01:09:29unit 22 unit 22 traffic access
01:09:33mountain and colorado wind on
01:09:36ground controls lifeguard mike tango charlie we are clear
01:09:43that's it no more oxygen i need warm blankets warm towels anything to keep the baby's temperature
01:09:49from dropping
01:09:50god she's going to desaturate that can't be helped loma linda will have to deal with that
01:09:53when we get there please hurry
01:09:54this won't work for long
01:10:00thank you thank you very much
01:10:08keep it up
01:10:10blood pressure's dropping where the hell is that oxygen
01:10:15come on we're losing her
01:10:28i've got the towels
01:10:35good let's go
01:10:36all right folks we're preparing to lands if you please make sure your seatbelts are fastened
01:10:56we're going to be on an instrument approach to the fog at the airport
01:10:59thank you
01:11:00tower this is charlie juliet papa
01:11:04and you're out of market roger lifeguard charlie juliet papa runway one-half mile in fog
01:11:09you're clear to land
01:11:10garage
01:11:11one thousand to go
01:11:34four hundred above
01:11:39one hundred above
01:11:44contact runway twelve o'clock
01:11:48i have a runway
01:11:49happy landings folks we just heard that the donor babies arrived at loma linda
01:12:05she's desaturated
01:12:20she's desaturated she needs more oxygen bring that warmer over here
01:12:38alice
01:12:52alice
01:12:52gordon
01:12:53a complication has come up with your donor during the flight
01:12:58the heart's not contracting normally but there's a good chance that with therapy over the next 24 hours her condition may improve
01:13:05the condition may improve
01:13:12the
01:13:14the
01:13:16the
01:13:18the
01:13:20the
01:13:22the
01:13:24the
01:13:26the
01:13:28the
01:13:30the
01:13:37baby responded to 40 cc's of saline and the heart returned to normal sinus rhythm
01:13:42well i would like to schedule surgery no later than this afternoon before any further complications occur
01:13:48uh
01:13:49before we proceed i'd like to reassess the baby's neurological functions
01:13:53why
01:13:54why
01:13:55surely
01:13:56surely
01:13:57she was evaluated before they'd ever let her leave canada
01:13:59she was taken off the resuscitation three separate times
01:14:02every time she was pronounced dead
01:14:04i know leonard but
01:14:06there are people on my staff who are not comfortable with the use of anencephalic donors
01:14:11i'd like to be able to reassure them that this baby meets the strict legal criteria of total brain death
01:14:16to be honest i'm not that comfortable with it either
01:14:18why not
01:14:20why not
01:14:21well this baby is a minor who cannot consent to be a donor on her own
01:14:25who was still alive when first considered to be a donor
01:14:27and who now is being kept alive for the sole benefit of another baby
01:14:31joe this baby was born with no cerebral cortex
01:14:34and its brain stem no longer functions
01:14:37she has no spontaneous respiration
01:14:39no ocular reflex
01:14:41no gag reflex
01:14:42she feels nothing
01:14:44legally 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
01:14:51or we can use her heart to keep another child alive
01:14:54the only choice we have is to lose one life or to lose two
01:14:58no
01:15:05hello mrs shelton
01:15:06yes
01:15:07my name is sherry mathis and i'm the transplant coordinator of the loma linda university medical center
01:15:12in loma linda california
01:15:15and i know we have your written consent
01:15:18but we'd like to confirm that decision
01:15:19are you and your husband absolutely positive you want your daughter to be a donor
01:15:22it's loma linda
01:15:23they want to know if we're positive we want her to be a heart donor
01:15:26there's no question in our minds
01:15:28great
01:15:29thank you
01:15:31have you thought about it gourd
01:15:35our baby's heart belonging to somebody else's child
01:15:39a lot
01:15:53that mother must be a very special woman
01:15:58Alice
01:16:05it's time to deliver your son
01:16:09this is it
01:16:13this is it
01:16:14all right
01:16:16there we go mrs holt
01:16:20yeah
01:16:22there we are
01:16:28okay
01:16:30Alice
01:16:31the transplant team is set up in the operating room next door
01:16:34we're going to deliver the baby
01:16:36dr kelly will examine him and then dr bailey will give him a new heart
01:16:40okay
01:16:41now i know that this has been a difficult time for both of you
01:16:45it's
01:16:46a time in my experience
01:16:48when 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
01:16:54we would be happy to do that
01:16:55and we often do that here at loma linda
01:16:57it isn't necessary
01:16:58only if you feel comfortable
01:17:00yes we'd like that very much
01:17:06dear lord
01:17:08we've got Alice here
01:17:09who was really concerned about her baby
01:17:12we do not know what the outcome will be
01:17:14we ask you to be with her
01:17:16and to give her the peace and the strength to get through this
01:17:19and to be with me and the operating team so that we may operate effectively and efficiently
01:17:24may your will be done
01:17:27may your will be done
01:17:28amen
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
01:17:36heart rate is steady at 82 feet per minute
01:17:38i've got a bleeder here i need to tie off
01:17:40here you go
01:17:42clamp please
01:17:44it's fine
01:17:46your heart rate always stays
01:17:49you're doing great
01:17:50okay just relax
01:17:53pressure normal
01:17:54good
01:17:55here we go
01:17:58respiration 16
01:18:01we've got a baby
01:18:03we've got a baby
01:18:04help out
01:18:05that's it
01:18:06we'll see you in just a minute
01:18:08we'll see you in just a minute
01:18:09thank you steven
01:18:12karen
01:18:13he looks great
01:18:15oh he looks terrific
01:18:18hm
01:18:26i
01:18:33yeah
01:18:35yes
01:18:37take him
01:18:38take him
01:18:39hellan he stopped breathing
01:18:42okay
01:18:45i needed 3-5ac-tracheal to
01:18:47an IV I want to cross the gland to drip. Sally, hook up the EKG monitor.
01:18:52You're ready for this.
01:18:57Come on. You all right?
01:18:58Start an IV line here.
01:18:59This is going to be okay.
01:19:01Here we go.
01:19:02Your take supervisor to ICU.
01:19:05Your take supervisor to ICU.
01:19:07The baby went into heart failure, but we stabilized him in time.
01:19:25Dr. Bailey is performing the transplant now.
01:19:31Are we getting proper flow?
01:19:37Yes.
01:19:39Scalpel.
01:19:42Suction, please.
01:19:46Monitor on.
01:19:53Here you go.
01:19:54So how long does everything take?
01:20:01Well, best scenario, two and a half hours.
01:20:05Can you tell us anything about the donors?
01:20:08We 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.
01:20:18Did she have a name?
01:20:20Alice.
01:20:20Please, just a first name.
01:20:22Gabriel.
01:20:25Gabriel.
01:20:29Gabriel.
01:20:35If our son survives this, I'd like to have their name and their address, please.
01:20:39No, Alice, 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.
01:20:52Clamp.
01:20:55Clamp.
01:20:56Clamp.
01:21:00Pressure is fine.
01:21:01We're at two hours, 35 minutes.
01:21:12Okay, now I'm going to remove the aerotic clamp.
01:21:22Come on, come on, come on now.
01:21:26Come on now.
01:21:35Hello?
01:21:37Hi, Connie.
01:21:37Okay, yeah, okay, yeah, we'll call you right back.
01:21:42Here, get up, get up.
01:21:43Channel 3, channel 3, the news.
01:21:50Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, the youngest patient in medical history received a heart transplant in a two-and-a-half-hour surgery.
01:21:58I did it.
01:22:00Baby Paul, delivered by cesarean section in order to undergo the procedure, was only three hours old when Dr. Leonard Bailey, using an anencephalic donor, successfully replaced his defective heart.
01:22:13What a remarkable story.
01:22:16Over to you now, Dave.
01:22:17I'll get it, I'll get it.
01:22:19Katie, and it was a big day today.
01:22:20Good evening, Mrs. Shelton.
01:22:28Yeah?
01:22:29Here you go.
01:22:40Flowers from who?
01:22:41I don't know.
01:22:50There 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.
01:23:05Alice Gordon-Hulk.
01:23:06Alice Gordon-Hulk.
01:23:07Dear Karen, I've thought about you many times and have often wanted to write.
01:23:36But 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.
01:23:47I 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.
01:23:58Even so, the past five years have not been easy for us.
01:24:03After we returned from California, Paul's health and medical care continued to dominate our lives.
01:24:09This year, for the first time, he's finally in good shape, and that's why we want you to be our guest in Vancouver.
01:24:15To help us celebrate the fifth birthday of someone who is as much a part of you as he is of us.
01:24:23I would love to meet you, Karen, but more important, I would love Paul to meet you.
01:24:28He knows that it took two of us to give him life, and that because of you, he will celebrate this birthday and many birthdays to come.
01:24:39Please visit us and share our happiness.
01:24:43Sincerely, Alice Hulk
01:24:45This is Hulk.
01:25:15Sincerely, Alice
01:25:21Sincerely, Alice
01:25:22Karen?
01:25:25Alice?
01:25:30Carla?
01:25:32Alice?
01:25:33I'm so glad you could come.
01:25:36Me too.
01:25:43Please come in.
01:25:45Gordon!
01:25:51Aaron, this is my husband, Gordon.
01:25:54Hi.
01:25:56It's nice to meet you.
01:25:58Me too.
01:26:01Jason?
01:26:06This is my older son, Jason.
01:26:08Hello.
01:26:10Paul!
01:26:12Paul!
01:26:13There's somebody here I'd like you to meet.
01:26:17This is the very special lady I told you about.
01:26:21Karen.
01:26:22This is Paul Gabriel Bailey Hulk.
01:26:33Hi, Paul.
01:26:34Hi.
01:26:43Hi.
01:26:44Hello.
01:26:46I'm home.
01:26:49Hi.
01:26:52Hi!
01:26:53Hi!
01:26:54Hi.