About
I’m Alan…Katie’s dad (sounds great to say that!). This is my attempt to share Katie’s struggle with family and friends. Most of all, this is my attempt to memorialize the stoic resolve of a little muchkin. I hope we look back and laugh years from now.
May 26, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Alan and Vickie,
My heart goes out to the both of you and I shall keep Katie in my prayers. I work at Cork Airport with Natasha and I hope the thoughts, prayers of people you do not know will be of some comfort to you.
As a grandfather with my grandaughter living at home with us it is like having childern second time around. This makes one appreciate their health, happiness, etc.
Hopefully everything will work out for little Katie and she will recover very soon.
I will keep her in my prayers
Ray
May 26, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Hi Alan and Vickie,
First of all congradulations on the birth of your gorgeous daughter Katie.
She is adorable.Ye are all in my prayers. I cant begin to imagine how ye are feeling having to watch Katie go thro so much. She does look like she really is a little fighter though and please god she will one day watching you jumping around the place watching united beat some other poor team.
Natasha sent me the link so could see how ye are all doing.
Take care and i will be praying for the day ye can bring little Katie home.
Karen
May 27, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Holding your baby those two hours will be with you forever. I still remember the first time the doctors let me hold Timmy. HLHS kid also. The annesthesia is causing Katie to hate the light and the noises.
She shoulds like she is a strong fighter. God Blessed her with the strong parents that you are and you are becoming. Every day is a new step in life for these HLHS kids and having you to hold her hand is what she needs even in the incubator now. My Prayers are always with you.
Kathy
June 2, 2008 at 7:26 am
Hi Vickie and Alan Just to let you know that we think of Katie Manning everyday ,and we are praying and lighting candles in every church we enter. Katie looks a little bit like Jerry (Granda) in the Hulk hat.
June 3, 2008 at 12:34 pm
vickie and alan i hope and pray that everything turns out well for katie .We will trust in God and keep praying.Love Mary Paddy & family.
June 9, 2008 at 8:25 am
I’m holding my breath, crossing my fingers and praying to God!
November 7, 2008 at 11:12 am
Hi Manning Family,
I know you do not know me I heard of your daughter’s condition from my sister who’s boss is Katie Grandfather.
I wanted to tell you that I just heard this yesterday and I wanted to share with you that my daughter Cassie was born with a congenital heart defect also Transposition of the Greater Arteries, and had 2 open hearts, and 4 cardiac caths all at Yale New Haven.
And from what I am reading you all have been through the ringer and Little Katie must be a very strong and Special little girl… And I may not know exactly what you are going through but I know it can be hard, and scary, but there is a light at the end of that tunnel.
My daughter is now 16 and doing very well, so keep your chins up and know that while you are stuggling at this time, your little Katie is strong and miracles are possible. People are thinking of you and wanting to help, I know words can not fix everything but I will keep your daughter and family in my thoughts and prayers. The doctors are all very compassionate, and exceptional physicians and your daughter is in the best hands possible. Please have Katie grandfather let my sister Beth Neal know if you need anything even if it is just to speak to a mother who at one time was in a similar place.
Best Wishes and a big warm hug to you all
Shelby
November 12, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Dear Manning family
You do not know us ,we are neighbours of your cousions
in Ireland, we would just like to let you know our thoughts
and paryers are with you and your wife .
With Love Leona and Tony.
November 15, 2008 at 4:37 am
Hello -
I found your blog through a link on another heart blog. Although I cannot imagine how you feel now, I can relate to some of it, as my now 4 year old daughter was born with the mirror image of your daughter’s heart – she has Hypoplastic Right Heart, Pulmonary Atresia, and Ebstein’s Anomaly. She has gone through the 3 stages your little girl only got 2/3 of the way through. I read things like this to keep me grounded in a way, I know we are on borrowed time as well, and I know every day is a miracle. I’m grateful we live when we do, because if our children had been born earlier, we may have only been able to say hello and then goodbye as there would have been nothing that could have been done. Everyone has a mission to perform in this life. They are not the same, and they are not the same length. Think of all the good that has come to you, and your family, and to others because of your daughter and your writing about her on this blog. I am happy to have my daughter but live in fear that one day she could be gone from me well before I’m ready to let her go.
November 18, 2008 at 12:32 pm
HI, Erin Patton shared your story with me. She was our nurse also four years ago. I have a story to share with you all as well but I would like to save that for another day. I am at a loss of words and I have walked in your shoes. I had a son Charlie who died four years ago. I miss him terribly and hurt for him constantly. I want you to know that I would be honored to talk with you or meet you to help through these days. I can’t say it gets easier, you will always long for Katie, but I guess we all get better and adjusting our life to make the new normal seem okay. I pray for all of you and just know that my boy is certainly with your daughter and we can help eachother through this. Feel free to email or call 248-3522. Love Suzi
November 26, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Hi Alan and Vickie,
We’re friends of Paul and Natasha’s from Cork and just want to express our sincere sympathy to you all at this difficult time. The blogs are so touching and we feel as if we knew Katie from reading them, she was as you descibed – an angel. It must be a consolation to you both to read all the comments and know that little Katie touched so many people in her short life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Derek & Orla Rimmington
May 26, 2009 at 1:15 am
Hi,
I have followed your blog for several months now lurking in and out. I have such a heavy heart for you and your family and yet so much joy for the time you did have with her and the memories that will forever be. My son has CHD and I thank God and the staff at the Hospital every chance I get. Ben’s CHD is not as complex as so many and when I read about other children and their struggles with CHD I feel so heavy.
Thank you for sharing Katie’s life with us.
Heart hugs,
Pamela Camit