Jenna's life story

Jenna Rose DeBruler was born on October 26, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. At birth, Jenna was in the NICU at St. Francis for 3 1/2 weeks due to respiratory issues and feeding issues. Over time she battled bilateral clubfoot, congenital clasped thumbs, and poor weight gain which put her as failure to thrive. On June 17, she had an episode at home where she was dry heaving, heavy breathing, pale skin and very lethargic. On June 20, Amanda took her to her pediatrician who then sent them straight to Riley Children Hospital Emergency Room. They did a chest x-ray thinking that maybe she had pneumonia, but came back saying that she had a severely enlarged heart and they were worried about Congestive Heart Failure. She was then admitted into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where she was intubated to help her with breathing as well as a feeding tube placed. She had an Echo done to see how little her heart was working and if there was anything else wrong.

She was then diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. Her heart was only pumping at 22% and took  up the whole left side of her chest. She was on a few different medications, two that was supposed to help her heart pump a little stronger, as well as a blood thinner that kept her from getting a blood clot that could cause a stroke.

Cardiomyopathy is a chronic illness in which there is no cure. There are a few different causes, viral, genetic, coronary, and idiopathic. Jenna's situation was narrowed down to genetic and idiopathic. There are 3 outcomes that could come from this disease, medications for life (or until a transplant is needed), a heart transplant, or not making it.

As time went on and she continued to fight she was then approved by insurance to be put on the heart transplant list. She had fought several infections, had 10 blood transfusions, and several high fevers. She reached a temp of 106.5 and heart rates around 225 several times. Because of these infections and her chronic fevers, she was never able to be listed. She fought very hard, and was the strongest little girl. Precious Jenna received her wings all on her own on August 17, 2011 while in her mother’s arms.

 She was such a delight to all of the PICU team and an overall very happy child. Because of Jenna, her family has added a few of the nurses into their lives. No matter what kind of day Jenna was having she was always kicking her feet and putting a smile on everyone’s face. 

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.