page 4 Were not ready

Sadly that only lasted for a little while. Next a little powerhouse of a woman swung out of the doors and called out "Franks Family", my heart stopped. Jay had gone out to smoke, so I just went with her. My uncle went to get Jay. she took me back to this little room that looked like a room you would have time out in if you were a child. She sat there waiting only moments then I asked what was going on. She said ok your daughter just had cardiac aresst and pulmonary failure. My heart stopped I thought she was gonna say something I dreaded to hear. Jay came in and we broke it to him. He cried out hard. not that I didn't, but I never felt my dad loved me , and to see a strong man cry out for his daughter it was so much more intense. We were told that her body at one time can only take so much and we might be called upon for a decision to be made. She reassured us that they will not give up and they will fight until shes notes otherwise. My world fell apart. I crumbled to the ground like jello outside the doors when i seen my uncle standing there I just wanted someone to make this all better and have it go away. We went to the chapel. i was mad. Why is this happening, what is happening,why are you taking her away from us? I cried out my piece of mind. My aunt gin and miranda came to me consoling me and trying to reason with me. You are not alone is what they said and were not going anywhere. At that moment I felt she deserved this family as much as we deserved her.

Page 3 Run Hun Run

When we arrived her doctors were coming around the doors running in through the ER. We sat in a room waiting for someone to come see us.Finally an on call caseworker came out gave us a code for her and explained something to us. As long as she wasn't discussing Savanah i couldn't here her. The two tall gentlemen in long white coats and surgical hats appeared. I stood right up even before they said our name. They needed consent for a vas cath to start HEMODIALYSIS. I was in a world of confusion. My head was spinning. Not a moment went by without thought. A nurse named Karen came out to let us go see her. She explained what was happening to savanah with the dialysis. I felt like crumbling when I finally got to see her again. Her little body was vibrating from the breathing machine. She had an immense amount of IV's. I've only seen that in movies. Then we had to leave the room again.
My husband and I just had a beautiful baby girl. My son , a sister. Now were praying that she stays with us. We went to the chapel and prayed. Then my husband disappeared for a while, later I find he went to seek salvation. My husband comes around the bend with a man that looked like the guy from the movie the GREEN MILE. This man towered over all of us. Even my uncle Herb. He said he was a pastor and would like to say a prayer for Savanah with all of us gathered at the bedside. He put his hand over her head as my mom, my son, my husband,myself, miranda, uncle herb, and aunt Ginny all held hands and said the Our Father. When he looked at savanah who was heavily sedated and sleeping, I swear he waas looking into her soul. A calming feeling came over the room. He was talking to her and I couldn't quite hear what he was saying, but after he would say something to her there was a brief pause after and he would respond with more talking or laughter. I felt stronger as the chills ran haywire on my skin. I was ready for Battle .

Page 2 Spinning out of Control

After I told them another Dr. walked in. He announced himself with a strained stare. He began to tell us that our daughter was failing fast and they don't exactly understand why. He informed us that Savanah has had a seizure. He said that for her to have any chance she needed to be transported to children's. We quickly agreed. We were to go to the NICU when they called for us. They called quicker than supposed to. We went running through the hospital in search of NICU. When we entered it was very quiet. Savanah was spread out on a little table her arms out wide. Her eyes were shut, at first I had to see the look in the nurses eyes before I touched her, because of her purple colored skin I had wondered for a split second, "Is she alive". I looked her over, touched her, told her I loved her, then cried out to Jays father who has passed to watch for her if this turns bad then I kissed her as good as I could. There were wires connected to her with monitors. I asked what we were waiting for? They wanted to know if we would like her Baptisized before transit. The possilitity of her passing was now a reality. We went racing to my room to gather all our things. We raced to the car and we were off to Children's.

Page 1 The News

This is Savanah Franks. She has a Urea Cycle Defect called Carbmoylphosphate Synthase type -1. Savanah was showed severe symptoms this disease yet no one new exactly what was going on. She was born on a Friday and was rushed to children's by Sunday afternoon. Friday I couldn't get her to eat. Friday night she Projectile vomitted all night long. Saturday she was so sleepy and not the little who was ok for the first few hours. Saturday night she had a drop in body temperature. I'll never forget opening my eyes and seeing a woman standing over Savanah just staring. A chill came across my body. I asked what was wrong? She said " I just don't like the way she's breathing". All the things I had noticed over these two days now were turning into red flags. She was taken to the NICU for closer observation and possible treatment. I sat on the bed and cried. I called my husband and told him. He told me don't worry it will be ok. I stayed up pacing. A woman came in my room and announced herself as one of the NICU doctors. She had a soft spoken voice and a sigh on her face. She told me that Savanh was very ill and they weren't sure what was going on. She told me to have my nurse call the NICU in about an hour. Next my husband and miranda walked in the room. I informed them of the situation at hand.

Our Journey to Transplant

People say isn't the thought of a transplant scary? I always answer "No". What's scary is the thought of her having less of a chance of turning five without it. She has come along way and I praise her for her strength and her will to live. I want everyone to know that with tragedy there's faith and hope. Don't give up on any fight that your child is battleing! You will find strength when you are at your weakest, because it's your Child.