Today we celebrate the life of our 5th child...Henry Larsen Doriot...fondly known as "Gus".  Gus was only here with us for a short time...16 months to be exact.  Gus was awaiting a liver/ small bowel transplant but his body could just not hold out for a donor.  Today would have been his second birthday.  We are sad that we are not celebrating with him today but we rejoice that he is taking part in daily celebrations in Heaven! 

Gus was profoundly and bilaterally deaf due to the extreme high doses of antibiotics he received early in his life.  It was next to impossible to keep hearing aids in this kid's ears!  He would have gone on to get a cochlear implant if he had survived.

He loved to watch Signing Time videos.  Here he is sitting in his bumbo practicing his "signs"...or maybe he's just trying to pluck out his hearing aid!

The little "punk" signed "daddy" first...not "mommy".  I will be talking to him about this when I see him!!

He had many "girlfriends".  Here's Courtney his Personal Trainer...

and Laura, his Synagis Shot Girl...Synagis is a med to help prevent RSV or to lessen it's attack....too bad those gazillion dollar shots didn't really help Gus.  He contracted RSV in the hospital and that is what led to his major pulmonary bleeds.  PLEASE, wash your hands! lol!!

And now, the beloved Nurse Janice from the 2nd Floor.  The love was deep, folks!!

Gus often had to get blood transfusions....blood was fondly renamed  "red soldiers".  Here is a picture of the soldiers marching...

When he wasn't busy getting his "red soldiers" he would be out roaming the halls with his brothers and sister...in his "Gus Bus"!   

When Gus was at home, his sister would take him around the house for a "tour".  He was so small that he was able to fit in her doll stroller with no problem.

He loved to fly.  We flew to Pittsburgh several times to see his transplant team.  We would often get bumped up to first class because Gus was such a flirt!!  This is on one of the flights.

He even liked to "fly" in the pre-surgery area.  In this picture, Gus is waiting to go in to surgery to have his central line replaced.  Look at that cute little hospital gown...awwww...cute!  We had so much fun with him!

At the beginning of March '06, Gus cut two teeth and we could not control the bleeding.  We ended up moving back into the Ronald McDonald House so that he could await "the call" to fly to Pittsburgh for a transplant.  This was before he was intubated.

Here I am with Gus right before he leaves us to go Home.  We are on the edge of eternity in this picture!  Gus died on May 31, 2006.  He was among his entire family and his favorite nurses and Chaplain Sandy.  A great peace filled the room as he left.  I thank God that he allowed me to be Gus'  mommy.  It was such an honor to take care of this precious child.  I look forward to our reunion!!

Henry Larsen Doriot

"Gus"

January 18, 2005--May 31, 2006

Please consider organ donation.  There are a lot of children who die on the waiting list because parents do not donate their child's organs.  Organ donation is something you should decide before you are in the situation where you need to decide quickly.  It is not something that is easily talked about but let me reassure you that talking about it doesn't kill you or your child!

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Posted by AussieinAmerica

I'm glad you shared all of those pictures with us - what a cutie! What a flirt!
I know you must miss him. I'll say a prayer for your family.
Stacy

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Posted by Bearingfruit

Thanks for sharing the pictures and your story with us! Praise God for the precious memories you have and that you will see your sweet boy again in heaven! He is such a doll!

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Posted by tn3jcarter

When I saw this entry, I immediately remembered the prayer requests for him and then the news when he passed away. My heart just broke for you all.

What a testimony you all have though from Gus' short life. Your love and strength show on his face and in your writing. May you all cherish the memories and hold each other extra close!

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Posted by Carrie

Gus went through so much but it is so refreshing to see the smile on his face in these pictures. I can't wait to get to Heaven and see all of the kids playing together and praising our God for healing them into His arms.. I've been thinking a lot of your sweet family this week and lifting you up to our Father. The kids aren't the ones hurting at this point, it's us.

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Posted by Majormom

Thanks for sharing your precious Gus with us today. Hugs

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Posted by The Sheltons

We're praying for your family on this special day.

It was so good to see the Gus pictures, some we hadn't seen before.

This is also the day that we picked to be our dog Murphy's birthday, based on a guess by the vet.

We pray daily for your family, every night in our bedtime prayers. We know you still miss Gus, but oh, what a reunion it will be some day!

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Posted by The Sheltons

We're praying for your family on this special day.

It was so good to see the Gus pictures, some we hadn't seen before.

This is also the day that we picked to be our dog Murphy's birthday, based on a guess by the vet.

We pray daily for your family, every night in our bedtime prayers. We know you still miss Gus, but oh, what a reunion it will be some day!

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Posted by mommyto7

Oh Jenny, this is such a beautiful tribute. It brought tears to my eyes. I hate that I didn't get to meet him. He is just precious...and so cute! Love, Holly

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Posted by Judi

What a beautiful tribute to that sweet baby boy. We have spoken by phone so I won't say much here. I love you and I am praying for you guys always. (((HUGS)))

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Posted by mrssulli

Thank you for sharing that, it is so touching. We just had to get new license's for our new home state and both hubby and I made sure to do the organ donor. It is such a simple thing to save so many. My dad passed away in 2005 from a bad liver, although he wasn't eligible for a transplant at the time, it taught us so much.

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Posted by Kristal

What a beautiful post!! And the pictures! You are one tuff lady!!! Thanks for sharing with us!!! My heart goes out to you and your family durning this time!

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Posted by Pomaleedon

Thank you for that touching memorial to your son. I can see what a blessing he must have been to your other children, as well.
God's blessings on you ~
Pamela

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Posted by kampsplete

What a wonderful tribute to your dear little boy on his birthday. Such wonderful pictures too. I just can't get over his amazing eyes. The last picture you shared especially touched me....minutes before he went to be with Jesus. What a personal picture...I'm so glad you shared it with us. I hope you got my email on Gus' birthday. I prayed for you all day, and thought about you much! I hope you're doing well this week!

Love to you ~ Kathy

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Posted by quietcajun

Jenny,
uplifting you in prayer. Thank-you for sharing Gus' life with us. Your family is still on my daily prayer list and I pray specifically that you will be given opportunities to minister to other families.
Love in Christ,
christina Brown

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Posted by Anonymous

My daughter died after a drowning accident at 9 months old. She was an organ donor and I felt so privileged to have that opportunity.

((HUGS)) to your family

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Posted by Anonymous

Jenny, I just came from 5 m4m and have now had the great opportunity to read about Gus. What a beautiful child. My heart truly and deeply aches for you. I am just amazed by your faith and it's just really amazing and uplifting. YOU are amazing. I know Gus is dancing around in heaven and looking down on you thinking what wonderful parents you are. God bless you and your family.

In love,
Valerie

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Posted by Alexis

Happy birthday little Gus.

I am so so sorry for your loss. No one should ever have to bury a child. It is just not fair.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and commenting about my dear angel. I am sure that Allison and Gus are already great friends.

May ((hugs))

Alexis Jacobs @ http://ajpr2.blogspot.com/

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Posted by Anonymous

Hi people, just arrived here, surfing. Internet on the road. And read Gus's story. Thrill skin of mine, now. I send you all the positive I can send to his family, from Barcelona (Spain). Go ahead and make him, wherever he is now, proud of you.

Miguel

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