Baby Autumn and Family Trying to Resume a Normal Life
Just a few weeks after undergoing heart transplant surgery, 5-month-old Autumn Markos of Greenfield was able to leave Children's Hospital for the first time.
- By David Cotey
- Email the author
- March 8, 2013
Five months after giving birth to their third child, Alan and Lindsay Markos of Greenfield are finally adjusting to life being normal.
Their daughter, Autumn, was born with the most severe type of Ebstein’s Anomaly, a congenital heart defect where the right side of the heart is not functioning correctly, so not enough blood is pumped into the lungs.
Making matters worse, Autumn also had a sealed pulmonary valve, which usually allows blood to flow from the heart to the lungs. Doctors gave Autumn only a 60 percent chance to make it to delivery, but on Oct. 1, as soon as Lindsay reached the 37th week of her pregnancy, Autumn was born.
After a half-dozen open-heart surgeries through her first six weeks, Autumn was placed on the heart transplant list, and on Feb. 3, she received her new heart.
Autumn was in the cardiac intensive care center at Children’s Hospital in nearby Wauwatosa for nearly five months, but three weeks after her transplant, she was finally able to go home and be with her parents and two siblings.
Follow Autumn's miraculous journey through Greenfield Patch's coverage
Daffney James
1:21 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
God is good all the time....all the time God is good....kiss her.....for she is a blessing from God....Give him praise....May Fox bless you and your loving family.....Daffney
Daffney James
1:22 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Oops....May God bless you and your loving family....Daffney
jane doe
2:20 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
We complain about the cost of health care and taxes. What do you think the ultimate cost of this will be over her lifetime and who will be paying for it?
David Mabe
2:56 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
The cost can't compare to this precious, priceless life.
K_Hunt
4:22 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Lets hope nothing ever happens to you that you need medical or government assistance, cuz you talking like that don't deserve the help. You pay into someone else and eventually someone else pays into you, Its how the world works.
Kristine Neumann
4:49 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
What does it cost to keep a criminal in jail? I'd rather see my money going to this baby rather than a criminal on death row or any criminals for that matter.
cheryl carroccio
5:05 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
hey, Jane Doe! You are a jerk! And stupid! Get a life and educate yourself . Your stupidity shines and I quess that is why you have to use a name like Jane Doe.
Stupid people like you a useless and so is your opinion.
Go back and read your commment and then look real hard in the mirror at yourself and same I am a good person?! right... You get what you give. Poor thing, you must have a pitiful life.
Shelby James
10:37 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
What the heck? So you'd rather this baby die then be able to get a heart solely because of the price? Your obviously not a parent. Parents would give up their lives for a baby. Cost is not an issue for a parent when it comes to making their child able to live. She gets to live, so stop being a jerk.
Mom of DnNnD
11:12 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
I don't understand your comment. Her father has health insurance and donations have been made to her family. They are not on government assistance, so who do you think is paying for her medical bills... the insurance company is. Are you trying to say that you shouldn't use your insurance that you pay a premium for to save your child?
Marta
9:36 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
Cost is secondary to the priority of her life being saved. And worry not ... she will pay it back tenfold by being an amazing and wonderful woman and a productive member of society.
Linda
2:36 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Why is this news? I have a 3 month old with tetralogy of fallot (a heart condition as well). He has a whole between his right and left ventricles and his artery is also allowing too much blood into his lungs. He's currently on high blood pressure meds and diaretics. Open heart surgery is imminent. With all of this going on, my mortgage company decided to foreclose on me and I am in the process of losing my house.
Not sure why this is news? There are other people going through similar things and worse.
K_Hunt
4:21 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Just to give you a glimmer of hope. I'm almost 23 and was born with tetralogy of fallot. I've had 2 open heart surgeries and other than a few physical activity set backs I live a full happy life. Praying for you and your family in this time.
Janet Grillis
8:49 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
i am so sorry to hear of your dire circumstances and the medical condition of your child. Linda, I will keep you and your family in my prayers and just know that God can give you strength to deal with what life has presented to you. You just need to ask for strength and healing. Most of us have been in similar circumstances and it is not easy or pleasant but I can assure you it is temporary, as are most things in life. This article is news because it brings awareness to these conditions and to the difficulties that young families face. Perhaps this is where someone will read of your troubles and be the solution you seek. I wish you luck.
sue
7:52 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Linda you are right, Why is this news, Just like people making it a big deal about certain people with cancer,News to all There is alot of people out there fighting the same disease rather be cancer, heart defects,birth defects,accidents, All these families need prayer and help rather it goverment or insurance....My prayers are there for your son. Sorry about y home...I'l also throw a prayer out there for that too.
Mrs. Smith
10:04 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Linda if I were you I'd be going to the media and trying to get all the help you can. Banks got bail outs and I think that citizens deserve them too. Make your bank prove that they have all the paperwork showing that they own your mortgage - if they don't you may have a loophole. As far as your baby, I'm so sorry for your and his plight. Have you contacted Shriners or other organizations that help children in need? Best of luck to you.
David Mabe
3:06 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Any news about a child that's given the chance to live it worth reading. I would read an article about your child. Every child is precious.
robin
3:27 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Health care costs will be thru the roof for sure... and you know, the government just made it go up even more........
cory
3:40 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Jane doe, I understand your hurt,but maybe if u recognized that others are also suffering you may feel less bitterness. This is news worthy because someone made it so. If this story was about your child how would you feel about reading a comment like yours? Every child counts!! look how many of us are now aware of this serious condition and other similar ones.
Edward Plascencia
4:12 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
May God in the name of Christ Jesus bless your beautiful family with righteousness and love. Thank you God for blessing Autumn in the way only you can we pray that every one excepts you so they may also have the free bless that you promise. I pray that every one may have blessing so the glory is known to all. ...Edward a slave of Christ Jesus.
Barbara Milford
4:22 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
All comments well taken. The mother whose child is equally as ill, and has lost her home on top of everything else she has had to endure is very sad indeed, however, nonetheless this does not leave an opening for her to take a jab at this 5 month old. Here is hoping for the very best for everyone.
Always remember to Bless and Curse Not...
Linda
4:51 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Barbara--
I wasn't "taking a jab" but was just curious why this was news when others are going through much worse times. Losing my home is nothing compared to other things that have happened to me since my sick son has been born. (Third surgery for me, 2 broken down vehicles needing repairs totaling thousands)
I am very glad that this baby received her heart transplant and is able to go home. Her family is very lucky that they have a home to go to. They are very blessed.
Catherine Joubert
4:55 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
It makes more sense that giving Egypt $20050 billion dollars.
Catherine Joubert
4:57 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
I take that back, its million dollars.
Sheila Stewart
5:04 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
God has blessed once more!
Silvia de la chesnaye
5:43 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
My son had the same thing he born on 1981 and in that time They didnt that. But he lives until he had 27 years old. Glad ur baby has that chance. God bless the family.
louise
6:38 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
everyone has right to their opinion it is sad that we give money to other countries yet no money available for those in need HERE in the USA! All ppl deserve a chance at life and we need to recognize this and make our government accountable to us and not limit our availability to healthcare and protection from losing our homes, money or whatever assets we own! Give that lady a break her loss is not unique, but is very real and hard for her! I feel sad for anyones plight. We all need hugs and sympathy at one time or another. This Native wishes u all the best All of u! From Autumn Dove to 5 month Autumn may Man Above, Maheo, God, or the One u pray to, guide your lifes path and lead you to whatever destiny awaits you! Aho
Cindy Halpern
6:46 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Any one who is a parent knows he or she would do anything to save a child's life.
There is no dollar amount can be placed on the value of a child. Children are priceless.
winnie mckinney
12:56 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
unfortunately there is. Some parents do not get the benefit of medical requirements to make their child healthy and that is very sad. Articles like this one would be much more inspiring if the article included how the parent(s) were able to pay for the medical costs and b e normal life again because others like the commentor who has a baby with similar medical problems and her house is being foreclosed.. So include the way this family handled it all too.
Mom of DnNnD
5:27 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
@winnie, This story is about the baby finally being able to go home. If someone was interested in the whole story, like how the parents are able to pay for this treatment, then all they would have to do is click on the link at the top labeled Follow Autumn's Journey. This is only one part in the story of Autumn's life.
Edna Gabriel
8:49 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
May God truly be felt now and throughout this precious child's life -- her family members lives too!
Valerie
8:56 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Jane, I hope you never find yourself in a similiar situation, it doesnt sound like you have the strength. I have a grandson that was born with a heartdefect, he's already spent more time in the hospital then anyone should have to in a life time, has one open heart surgery behind him, at least one still to come and eventually he will need a transplant., He recenly turmed 1, is doing far better than the doctors ever led us to hope for, if it wasnt for the scars you would never guess there is anything that sets him apart from other kids his age. He is a joy and pleasure everyday and I am certain the Lord has great things in store for him. As a single Mon who worked hard to provdie for my children it hurt my heart when my daughter had to appy for assistnace to get the treatment for her son that he needs now and in the future. As a parent you have to set your pride aside at times and do what is necessary for the children that depend on you, I admire my daughters strength dealing with everything that they have had to. I am appreciative that the help is there for my grandson and otherst in need. As tax time is upon us I have a different perspective on the taxes I paid not only this year but all the previous years and those yet to come. Life is precious and every child deserves the chance to live a full life.
Carol
9:06 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Blessings to this family and their little one, but please remember if she got a heart transplant that means there is also a family out there needing prayers too as they lost their little one. That family in the midst of their grief was kind enough to give life and hope to another child.
John Doe
9:31 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
From all the hate directed at Jane Doe, it seems people are utterly incapable of thinking at all. Saying X is priceless, in a world of finite resources, is simply moral posturing - no one is immortal. Or are there lots of ghosts posting on here that gave up everything to whatever they believed was priceless?
Faith Devine
10:14 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
A similar story,in song:
Mark Schultz, What it Means to be Loved
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrXmHaBP-A4
Wendy Brush
10:15 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
OMG its Hard to read some of these posts Jane Done I'm NO GHOST "BUT" you sound like someone so Bitter & Don't like yourself that you can't be THANKFUL for someone else.
And Linda you & your Family are in my Prayers.
I had Cancer at the age of 8 made Medical History to me it was NO BIGGIE I'm now 62 have been to HELL & BACK "BUT" can still Thank God for this Little ones life & being home with her Family..
Sometimes ya gotta hit Bottom to understand how to Give Thanks for someone else..
Blessings to Baby Autumn & her family
jack
10:49 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Wow, so you mean that that 'blob' was actually an unborn human being which made it's exit from the womb to become a borned human being?
djjc1384
11:51 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
The point of the story, is that there are stories in the world that are heart warming and to show people to cling to hope and faith and your own miracles can happen just like what happened for this wonderful young family. It's refreshing to see stories like this in the news instead of all the terrible tragic heart breaking news we see every day. Miracles happen every day in different ways and this families positive out look the past 5 months is something truly admirable and maybe if more people were like them, this wouldn't be such a bitter cynical world.
Ashley bowen
12:40 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
I am so shocked that any human being could say anything negative on this post. Shame on you.
And to the person who posted "why is this news" --if you need help, then seek help, and if you have seeked help and were refused...keep in mind- good things happen to good people....so maybe you should begin with re-evaluating the way you talk to and treat others, starting with your post.
And those complaining about $, get over yourselves. Human life is THE TOP PRIORITY
Gilda Cumplido
12:50 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Gilda Cumplido: GOD,don't forgett His Babies Angels!!!! GOD LOVES THIS FAMILY. PRAISE THE LORD, Doctors also, and all the people that prays for them, Aleluya
Edward Plascencia
4:28 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
David Cortey thank you for this beautiful the lord Jesus is blessing you. ....and may everyone see this beauty.
cory heidenberger
12:00 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Jane Doe is an idiot. Is she suggesting that before lifesaving measures are performed, a consensus is conducted to determine end-range cost-effectiveness? Sounds a bit like Hitler still has a fan...
Johnnie Velasquez
1:37 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
You know what? Idiots like Jane Doe make me sick. All they do is think of themselves and $$$$$$$. This little life that was saved! Who knows, might be the one to solve so many of our problems in this world. GOD knows what is going on and there's a reason for everything he does. Shure, he loves you anyway no matter what your low life thinking is.
Johnnie Velasquez
1:45 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Spelling: Instead of "shure" should have read: sure...