Sad news from Jerad - Sea Blue 66 Beetle and Teardrop Camper

[JERADS3D]

Hello, Many of you guys from the Florida shows may know me by my Sea Blue 66 Beetle and my matching Teardrop Camper.
My name is Jerad Pitts and I've only been going to shows since 2007.

On April 30th 2009 at 9:29 a.m. my girlfriend Candace Sauder and I welcomed our first baby into the world. Her name is Lilah Marie Sauder-Pitts. She was 4 pound 7 ounces.

We waited until birth to find out what she was as we wanted to enjoy one of life's true surprises. I was there with Candace all night as her water had broke the night before. She refused the epidural as she had chose to do a natural childbirth and we had been attending classes on it. Candace was remarkable and held strong. From 8:30 to 9:29 a.m. things moved quickly and I got to watch my little girl come into the world. While checking her out things quickly got scary. The respiration nurse identified that Lilah was having some trouble. They quickly took her away to the Special Care Unit at North Florida Regional where we were. They put her on 100% oxygen so they could test her blood oxygen levels to see how much she was picking up. With her lungs working properly they diagnosed her with a heart condition and had to transport her to SHANDS which was several miles away. Candace first got to see Lilah right before they moved her to SHANDS. I went to visit Lilah at SHANDS as Candace had not yet been released from North Florida Regional. It was scary to see her in the NICU III. I was greeted by a doctor with a strong accent who explained to me that my little girl had "pulmonary atresia". Basically the right side of her heart was too small and where the blood leaves the right side there was no valve or opening for the blood to leave. The only blood she was getting from her lungs was mixed "red" and "blue" blood through the "ductus" which is a hole between 2 arteries all babies are born with. That ductus closes quickly but they were able to keep it open with PGE or Prostoglanden. From that time on I came home each night and tried to research what I could before I passed out at home with exhaustion. Friday on the 1st of May, Candace got discharged from North Florida Regional later in the afternoon. Not long after we got there Lilah's nurse took the time to make it safe for us to hold her. I was very excited. Here are pictures of Candace and I holding Lilah Marie.

Over the next week Candace got to breastfeed her and we got to change her diapers. I had my camera there every day and took tons of photos. We finally got to meet the cardiologist and surgeon later this past week. They finally decided that a "shunt" procedure would be the way to go. This would duplicate that "ductus" they were keeping open with medication. They also decided to try to open the blocked pathway to her artery where the valve never formed in the right side of her heart. They felt that the reduced pressures in that side of her heart would allow it to possibly grow for her. This would give her the chance to maybe have a funtional 4 chamber heart. The other option for her was for her to work off of only one side of her heart. That is also a common procedure for them. Their goal was for her to have as much of a normal heart as possible. On Monday morning the 11th Candace and I got up early to go spend a little time with Lilah before her surgery. She was sucking on her pacifier to calm her because she was hungry. She was not allowed to eat before surgery per doctors orders. Candace and I wanted to hold her but she was sleeping so peacefully. We just stood there and talked to her while she slept. At about 7:30 a.m. they came to take her to anesthesia. Candace started tearing up and I lost it myself. We got to ride down in the elevator with her and the two anesthesiologists. One of my close friends and my family met us in the waiting area. The doctors and all kept calling us giving us updates telling us how well she was doing. We ate breakfast in the cafeteria trying to keep ourselves calm. I guess at about 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. we were able to go see her. It's upsetting me to think about seeing her with all of the tubes and wires on her. They had to keep a gause patch over her chest. Because of potential swelling they had to keep her little chest open. She was still under the effects from the anesthesia and would be well into the night. Pain meds and much more were being given to keep her out of pain. Candace needed a break so I was able to bring my aunt and my mother back to see her. Next was my friend Tony who's been more like a brother to me. We stayed for hours with Lilah. One of the nurses suggested that since we got very little sleep that it would be best for us go home to get some rest. We grabbed dinner and came home which is about 35 to 40 minutes south west of Gainesville. We layed down to sleep after calling at midnight to check on Lilahs condition. They said she was resting well. Candace and I fell asleep. I awoke at 5:00 something a.m. to our dogs barking and someone knocking on my front door. It was the sheriff's department at the door. Being exhausted Candace had place our cell phones in the bathroom to charge and we never heard them ring. The nurse called the Sheriff as a last resort because she didn't have our current home phone number. The sheriff's told us that we needed to call SHANDS immediately because they had been trying to reach us. We called and they explained to us that Lilah's heart had stopped but that they were able to get it going again but that she was being supported by a machine and we needed to come as quickly as we could. As we got dressed we both felt extreme nausea. We drove as quickly as we could to get there. We made our way to the 10th floor and couldn't get anyone to pick up the phone at the front desk. It was about 6:00 a.m. and we followed an employee through a hall door not for visitors. We made our way past all the other rooms and were on the final approach to Lilah's room at the end of the hall. There were so many doctors and nurses around. One girl came and met us halfway and asked us to wait out in the hall and that one of the doctors would come to speak to us. In a couple of minutes the same girl came to get us and brought us down another hall to the same end of the but into a small room. I could feel it in my heart but I didn't want to hear it. A single doctor sat with us and calmly described what had gone on with Lilah and then with tears in his eyes told us that Lilah had died at 6:12 a.m. I can't describe to you the pain and loss we're feeling. The entire staff made their way in to try to console us. They had tried so hard for three hours to save her. They all told us how sorry they were. They said the nurses were cleaning Lilah up so that we could visit with her. We spent about 4 hours with her. We both got to hold her and to say our tearful goodbyes. They made some prints of her hand and feet for us and gave us a small box for some mementos. I'm in tears right now as I'm typing this. This has been an awful 28 hours. We've spent most all we had to prepare for us to bring our sweet little girl home. Now we are having to try to plan for a funeral. I just can't consider cremation for my baby girl. She went through so much. We need a lot of prayers right now. We are considering wanting to do something of a cruise, campout or show but it's hard to conceive while dealing with this tragedy. I will post again very soon but I felt like it would help me to write about our experience. If any of you can suggest how we can raise money for her funeral expenses please post or message me. Thank you all so much. Sincerely, Jerad Pitts
_________________
........... _╒═══╕_JimDandy.and.EMPI-Titelock.
......__//___][___\\............./˜˜˜"╫▓╫˜˜˜˜˜/__,\
.-==--|''''''''˜|''''"''''-=-........|____╫░╫...___˜˜˜˜˜|
/((Θ))\\____|__/((Θ))\\===\___,╫░╫_/((Θ))\__./J
.............DUSTY..........and.........SCRATCH........

[davebuckholts]

Jerad, Sandra and I are so very sorry for your's and Candace's loss.
Our prayers, thoughts and love go out to you both. Please don't hesitate to call us for anything.
_________________
My '66 RHD Japanese bug build..which has stalled!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=471759&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[Stall20]

I have never met you guys but I am so very sorry for your loss and what you both have to go through. my thoughts and prayers are with you both and Lilah. I was in tears by the end of your post also. so very sorry.
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[vwagman]

Dude I dont know who you are but man I am so sorry. I teared up just reading that. Hang in there the best you can. And again I am truly sorry for your loss.
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Scott from VA. (vwagman)= VW auto group man!
Steering Box Scrapers #8 I am down!

[Bolski]

Wow. Just wow. I'm so sorry. I really wanted that story to have a happy ending. You're in my thoughts, man.

[dubtype1]

Damn Bro, I can't explain how sorry I am to hear what happened. My prayers are with you and your family.
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MIAMI V-DUBS

Caleb
'65 Beetle project

[don.ville]

Having a child is such blessing, and I really feel for you on your loss.
Sorry to hear...
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67 Standard 11 window How I Keep My Bus Alive
04 Jetta TDI Page (SOLD)
01 Mexican Beetle Hello Kitty Rescue (SOLD)
29 Ford Model A Rat Rod (SOLD)
2015 Audi A8L TDI Quattro

[Spanish Flea]

Jerad, I am so sorry for your loss. It is really unfourtinate that bad things have to happen to good people. You and Candace will be in our prayers.

Psalm 31:24
Proverbs 3:5-6

Spanish Flea
_________________
Alte Schule
"Mr. Ford, i don't think what we are being offered here is worth a damn!" - Ernest Breech (On buying VW, March 1948)

[type2man]

I'm at a loss for words. My thoughts and prayers to you and your girlfriend.
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**** Wide 5 ****

eastcoast63 wrote: i'm just trying to work in some extra mash potatoes..... hell, last week i got "red head suzy" to give some collard greens on the side. Straight "zip lock bag status". Taco Bell aint got shit on "4th" meal. Late night collard greens and a biscuit. thats where its at!

[JERADS3D]

The messages to us have been very helpful. Candace and I are getting some direction with arrangements for Lilah. The VW community has embraced us with friendship well before this happened. Thanks so much. I have been messaged with requests for my Paypal account. Anything is a blessing to us at this time. As I had mentioned we had exhausted our finances in preparation to bring our little girl home. If even you feel compelled to send us a card it will help with our closure and remembrance of Lilah. Here is our information:

Paypal Account is [email protected]

Home address:
Jerad Pitts, Candace Sauder and Lilah Marie Sauder-Pitts
4448 NE 142nd Avenue
Williston, Florida 32696

Thank you all so much.
_________________
........... _╒═══╕_JimDandy.and.EMPI-Titelock.
......__//___][___\\............./˜˜˜"╫▓╫˜˜˜˜˜/__,\
.-==--|''''''''˜|''''"''''-=-........|____╫░╫...___˜˜˜˜˜|
/((Θ))\\____|__/((Θ))\\===\___,╫░╫_/((Θ))\__./J
.............DUSTY..........and.........SCRATCH........

[181freak]

I am at a loss for words.. and am also teared up.... Our thoughts and prayers are with you...
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1973 Thing
96 Golf

*Looking for any Dealer Items from
MIKE GRADY VOLKSWAGEN in South Carolina!!!

[VWgirl27]

Jared I am so sorry for your loss, I can't even imagine what your going through. Our thoughts and prayers are with you

Tanya, Mike and Lydia Childress
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~tanya
Foreign Policy
www.fpvw.com
fat boys make me scrub
http://megaenthusiasticaircooledteam.com/ M.E.A.T., it's more than just a joke....

[VWBeachBum]

Hey Jerad,

i'm so sorry for your loss. i was in tears by the end of your first post. kate and i are expecting our first in October and i can't imagine what you guys are going through right now. You guys are in our prayers.

i'm going to include the link on our blog for any OCOD members that want to contribute.

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Old City Oil Drippers
"taking the dues out of vws"
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[bugdust]

I've never met you but I've seen your rig around at shows. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. My oldest son was born in Shands in Gainesville (as were most of my nephews & nieces); they have a very good medical team there.

[buggdude67]

Jerad
I don't know what to say, except I am sorry for your loss. I will pray for you and Candace.

Rich

[vwcadets]

I too was hopeing for a happy ending @ the end of your story OMG...my prayers are with you both please keep us informed...peace@U BOTH Sven out
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stupid people should be tattooed STUPID!...on their foreheads!


The wife and I drive a 2001 Cabriolet!...SOLD the bus:(

[scottvw]

Sorry to hear of your loss my prayers are with you. I saw your car and camper at last year Bulli Brigade....

[Kx3]

I have no words to explain how sorry I am for your loss .......
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Alte Schule Vintage and Performance VW club

[79SuperVert]

I sent something to help defray the cost. You have my deepest sympathy.
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Central Jersey VW Society

Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt.

[Thingamabob]

I can't imagine the pain and suffering you and Candace are going thru right now. ....You have been in my thoughts since I heard the Tragic news.
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If you Shart, you go home. No questions asked.
73' Thing
Alte Schule Vintage and Performance VW Club
I don't want to sound like an asshole, but does it matter where I got it from?