March 2006

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Gratitudes

Zoe Erin Lambert

To the Devon Nicole House:

For the past six years, we have traveled from our home in Pennsylvania to Children's with our granddaughter, Zoe Erin Lambert. Zoe is now 8 years old, and we, as grandparents, have been given the privilege of helping our daughter, who is a single mom, help raise and care for her. Zoe is a fragile child, born with the rare condition called VATER (VACTERL) Syndrome, which means Zoe was born with many body anomalies. Her progressive congenital scoliosis, along with missing and fused ribs, was quickly threatening her life in the spring of 2000. We came to Boston seeking the help of Dr. John Emans, and an experimental procedure called the "Titanium Rib," or as it's also known, "VEPTR." Zoe had her titanium rib implants on August 3, 2000; she was Dr. Eman's 8th VEPTR patient, and the 108th child in the world to have this procedure.

Having this implant means Zoe must have expansions of these devices every four to six months. This past January, she had her 18th surgery, and we have now moved all of her care to Children's. It is our belief that if there is hope for Zoe in this world, it is at Children's. But coming to Children's from our home in Pennsylvania has come at a great cost financially. We travel with Zoe to Boston as a team—her mom, me, her pop and great grandmom (age 75). The opening of the Devon Nicole House has come as an answer to the prayers of our family. It's comforting to know that in the many years we still have to bring Zoe to Boston, we can do so with a peace of mind knowing we can stay at the Devon Nicole House. It not only eases the financial burden but also gives us a home away from home.

Staying at the Devon Nicole House has provided us not only with physical rest, but with mental rest as well, and for that, there are no words to adequately thank you all.

Sincerely,

Johanna Lambert
Plymouth, Pennsylvania

:: Anna Gonski, Editor :: Masthead ::

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