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32 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 14, 2012 Toddler fights for life with each breath By Kristian Rasmussen Pioneer Staff A former Canal Flats couple has spent the past two years holding their breath as they await the day their infant daughter will be able to breathe freely. Two-year-old Zoey Sagar-Massie was born with Jeune Syndrome, a rare bone growth disorder that’s left her with a shortened rib cage that won’t allow her lungs to properly inhale and exhale. The family has learned that Zoey’s oxygen-starved lungs may finally get the life saving treatment they need on June 2013 at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “It’s very nerve-wracking and exciting all at the same time that one day she will live a normal life,” said her mother, Shaylene Sagar. “Until that day, we live life day by day.” Shaylene and her partner Glen Massie must brave the odds for their daughter when she undergoes a lateral thoracic expansion surgery to enlarge her rib cage. Zoey will have her ribs separated and expanded with titanium struts — a procedure that comes with a 50 per cent chance of survival. If the surgery is successful, Zoey’s ribs will begin to grow on their own. Only 125 cases of Jeune Syndrome have been documented since 1955. The primary surgery available for patients in Canada is known as the vector procedure, which would require Zoey to undergo 28 consecutive operations, each with only a 50 per cent chance of survival, Shaylene added. Although there is a light for them on the horizon, the family has battled the darkest of times together, which began in November 2010 when a six pound, 14 ounce Zoey arrived by cesarean-section in East Kootenay Regional Hospital. “She was as normal as a normal baby could be,” Shaylene said. “Nothing was different about her at all. She was just a beautiful baby girl.” HERE TO SERVE YOU ■ Lockout Service ■ Lake Recovery ■ 24 Hour Towing ■ Prompt Service Also o� ering FREE year-round pickup of unwanted vehicles Warbrick Towing & Salvage warbrick@shaw.ca • Cell: 250-342-5851 SISTERHOOD — Zoey Sagar-Massie, 2, poses with her sister, Simona Jocelyn May, 1. Photo submitted The joy of holding their healthy little girl was shortlived as signs of danger slowly began appearing. Zoey began making small grunting sounds when breathing — a fact that worried the hospital’s pediatrician. X-rays showed her chest had a distinct bell shape, and Zoey soon wound up in the neonatal intensive care unit at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. She was initially diagnosed with a mild case of Jeune Syndrome, and the family returned home to Canal Flats that December. In May 2010, her condition took a turn for the worse. While grocery shopping with her mother and grandmother, Zoey became agitated, vomited and started choking. “It was the scariest time of my life,” Shaylene said. “That moment put a picture in my head that both my grandma and I will never forget. We didn’t even get out of the parking lot and she had turned blue, tensed up and then turned very pale and went limp.” The two women immediately called 911 and rushed home to put the infant on her oxygen machine. Shaylene Myth: One big ad will make a big impression. Reality: The same money invested in a regular series of small ads will yield bigger results. Call Dean at 250-341-6299 to find out more. N E WSP A P E R 8, 1008 8th Ave. Invermere, B.C. Ph: (250) 341-6299 Fax: (250) 341-6229 www.columbiavalleypioneer.com • Email: info@cv-pioneer.com performed chest compressions on her daughter, which revived her momentarily to a non-responsive state. A twonight hospital stay in Invermere returned her to her regular state, but it was only a warning of danger that would repeatedly attempt to choke the life from the young girl in the months to come. In June, Zoey began to require more oxygen, and one morning she could hardly breathe. Despite a 15 litres per minute flow of oxygen, Zoey wasn’t able to take in enough air, and was flown by STARS Air Ambulance to Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, where she would spend the next several months. In September, she had what doctors refer to as a “death spell.” “I closed my eyes for not even five minutes and alarms were ringing and Zoey’s oxygen levels began to drop rapidly,” said Shaylene. “When I say rapidly, I mean 100-70- 50-20-10 then zero in a matter of two minutes. The room was full of people and I couldn’t see Zoey, I could just hear the respiratory therapists saying they couldn’t get any air into her lungs and then the doctor saying there was no air going into her lungs.” The medical staff decided to paralyze young Zoey by injection so that she could receive much needed oxygen. Although she was able to breath again, Zoey would suffer five more death spells over the next five days — a symptom of what was later discovered to be abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of Zoey’s lungs. After much debate, in September 2011 her parents allowed doctors to carry out a tracheostomy to attach a dedicated breathing tube to Zoey’s neck, but it hasn’t dampened the youngster’s spirit. “Even with all she’s been dealt, she wakes up every morning and goes through her day smiling, playing and laughing, and goes to bed every night with a smile on her face! I am very blessed that I am the lady she calls Mom.” Donations to help the family obtain Zoey’s life-saving surgery can be made through the Invermere and Radium Kootenay Savings Credit Union branches. Your Weekly Source for News and Events Dean Midyette Advertising Sales N E WSP A P E R #8, 1008 - 8 th Avenue PO Box 868, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Ph: 250.341.6299 • Cell: 250.341.1939 www.columbiavalleypioneer.com dean@cv-pioneer.com
December 14, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 33 Pioneer Classifieds s In MeMorIaM s CeCil Reid december 18, 2009 No One Knows They say there is a reason, they say that time will heal. But neither time nor reason, will change the way we feel. For no one knows the heartache, that lies behind our smiles. No one knows how many times, we’ve broken down and cried. We want to tell you something, so there won’t be any doubt. You’re so wonderful to think of, but so hard to be without. Love from your wife, Margaret and family. ANNOUNCEMENT There are at least two things that can’t be produced overseas, boxed, and put on store shelves at Christmas. One is the spirit of peace and goodwill. The other is the real, live Christmas tree. Have a merry “Real Tree” Christmas. Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 250-342-2424. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday (closed), and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Radium Friendship Group: Friday at the Catholic Church, East Side of Main St. With the exception of Tuesday, all meetings are open. s In MeMorIaM s Gerald (Gerry) Wayne Miller June 3 rd , 1940 - December 14 th , 2010 Cherished always and loved forever. It has been two years since our dear Ger passed away. We know that he is our guardian angel giving us strength to deal with the sad times and bringing the joy to celebrate the happy times. Our Ger is ever present in our hearts and his legacy of love continues to guide us. With deep love and fond memories, Bendina, Barb, Mike, Cole and Adam, Pam, Chris and Sam along with our extended family N E WSP A P E R ANNOUNCEMENT Windy Café . . . is now open for lunch from 11:30 a.m - 2:30 p.m. and dinner as always from 5 - 9 p.m. Enjoy 10% off all orders. Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us. Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday in Invermere at 7:15 p.m. at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 – 12th Ave (behind the Invermere hospital). For information, please call 250-342- 8255. Narcotics Anonymous meeting now available. Thursdays at 8 p.m. Call 250-342-1071 for more info. gArAgE sAlE Sunday, December 16th, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Prestige Inn, Radium Hot Springs. Furniture sale. Up to 80% off original prices. THANK YOU lOsT & FOUNd Lost: blue/grey pack beside Invermere public washrooms. Full of memories. 250-342-5517. ChEErs & jEErs Cheers to the owners and staff at Home Hardware and AG Valley foods. Their part in the Table Top Christmas trees is huge! The Elf. Cheers to Cooper for his dedication to the Rockies Atoms hockey team. We appreciate your help, especially showing up every week at 6 a.m! ChEErs & jEErs Cheers to Mel at BMO for going above and beyond. If only the people who worked in banks in Australia were as nice! Thank you. Adam. Cheers to Peter P. for being such a good neighbour and making Christmas special for us. G & P. Jeers to people who insist on parking in the disabled spots in front of the post office because they are only going to be “5 minutes.” Cheers to those who remind these offenders of their wrong doing even when the offenders become rude! Cheers to my left side. Thank you for the incredible annual birthday bash. I loved it! From, Strong side. Cheers to the couple who stopped to help my kids and me when our truck died down on December 4th. Thank you so much and have a merry Christmas! Jeers to $8.40 cauliflower. Shop local? I could have had almost a meal out for that much! Cheers to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for such a wonderful holiday party. Also, cheers to all of the staff who worked and volunteered so the rest of us could party! It’s an honor to work with such incredible people. Jeers to the local business who left my pregnant fiancée and me standing on the curbside for over 2 hours. • Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 250-341-6229 • Email: info@cv-pioneer.com • www.columbiavalleypioneer.com ChEErs & jEErs Cheers the Monkey’s Uncle for making sure that a very sweet little girl got her Calico Critter Hedgehogs after a playful golden retriever chewed hers up. That is why I shop local. Outstanding service! Cheers to all the businesses that supported the recent Winter Marketing Event in Calgary. Working together is the secret to our success. Cheers to Josh and Vic for ensuring we all made it home safely. Much appreciated. Happy Holidays! T.H. Cheers to the N driver who didn’t yield at the yield sign. You gave me the excuse to test my winter tires. Yep, they’re still good. Are you glad now? Cheers to Darlene C. for a great girl’s weekend! Jeers to whoever decided it is okay to outsource all of our jobs to people from other countries. Nothing against them, but locals should have first, second and third crack at those jobs. Homeless In Invermere. Jeers to those who destroyed Camp 12. If you had enough times to chainsaw a structure into pieces then you had enough time to clean it up and take it away. Your actions are not doing the bush any favours. Cheers for Nick Berzins and also the CVCC! You speak for an enormous silent and disappointed majority. ChEErs & jEErs Cheers to Dee Conklin and the town council members for working so hard to bring Canfor back to Radium and all those families who will now have a more abundant and happier Christmas. I hear there are fewer food hamper applications this year, and thanks goes to Dee and her efforts! Cheers to Dale at Canadian Tire. You have superb customer service skills and you always go above and beyond to help me. It is much appreciated. CB Double jeers to those responsible for unionizing the library. What’s next, the Food Bank and the Christmas Bureau? Cheers to people for shopping wherever the heck they want. It’s a free country! We’re allowed. Cheers to the flu. A great weight loss program and just in time for Christmas! Cheers to our Rockies for coming out to skate with the kids last Saturday. My daughter was thrilled to skate with real hockey players and your interactions with the kids made for lots of smiles. Cheers to the greatest husband! You make me so happy! Let the birthday week continue. Cheers to the Rockies hockey players who showed up at the Skate with Santa event at the arena on Saturday. Very classy! The kids loved it, and so did I. Santa Claus. NOTiCe OF HOlidAY deAdliNeS & ClOSURe We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The advertising deadline for the december 21st issue is 12 noon, Monday, december 17th; Classifi eds are 12 noon Tuesday, december 18th. The advertising deadline for december 28th is 12 noon, Wednesday, december 19th; Classifi eds are 12 noon, Thursday, december 20th. Please note that the Pioneer offi ce will be closed from Saturday, december 22 nd until Sunday december 30th. Opening 8:30 a.m. december 31st.
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