A Tribute to Jonas Konge

When we got to Edmonton we met the most amazing family. These people were to become some of our closest friends. We met when our boys were side by side neighbors in the PICU. Parker was just getting ready to get a pacemaker put in. Jonas was going in to get the fontain surgery, the second surgery that Parks was supposed to get, before his heart went into failure. They knew that this was going to be a difficult surgery but they were willing to try, before listing him for a heart transplant. The surgery went well. He came out and was extibated. The surgeon was checking up on him and saw something and then proceeded to open him back up. When he got in there his heart disintegrated in his hands, so they took out his heart and put in a gortex bag. They put some cannula's into it and put him on an artificial pump. And from then on he was like a science expiriment. Never had they done anything like it before. The next week Parkers heart was continually getting less and less function so they put him on the Berlin Heart. Two days later Jonas was put on the Berlin Heart also. He was extibated again which totally blew most people away. He was responsive and awake, asking for pink swabs and wanting stories, and cuddles from mom and dad(Renee and Niels). The doctors, the nurses, and the Konge's all fought so hard fought so hard to keep Jonas well, but no one fought as hard as Jonas. This little boy was the strongest that I have ever seen. He was always there mentally, even when his poor little body wasnt keeping up. Late last night Renee called me in the middle of the night 2:40 am and asked if I would come and be with her as they were going to operate on Jonas and she needed a friend. The Konge's are from Yellow Knife and Niels couldn't get a flight till 7:15am so I was able to stay with Renee until her family could be there. During the surgery they discovered that his organs were starting to die because of poor profusion. They told her that there wasn't much else that they could do. They were able to call all their family and say their goodbyes to this sweet, strong boy that they got to know in thier family. He was able to go outside one more time and he had all his family around him when he went up to a better place. I have so much love and respect for this family that I can't put it properly into words. They are so strong and I hope that we will be friends and even family in my books forever. We have a bond that cant be broke, a sick child is never fun or easy but when you have someone that is going through some of what you are, then you are connected. I love them so much and I hope that they know that I will still be here for them if they need anything ever. Our prayers are with you still and always. Love Jess and the Seelys