In a profoundly moving story from Omaha, Nebraska, a dedicated pediatric anesthesiologist adopted her four-year-old patient after the little boy was compelled to undergo major heart surgery entirely alone. Dr. Amy Beethe, who served as the child's anesthesiologist during the critical procedure at Children's Hospital & Medical Center in Nebraska, was deeply affected by the sight of the young patient sitting by himself.
A Heartbreaking Scene in the Hospital
'He was sitting there all alone,' Dr. Beethe recounted in an interview with local news outlet KETV7. 'It took me back that this four-year-old was going to go through heart surgery, and no one was there.' The child, named True, was born with a serious congenital heart condition known as hypoplastic right heart syndrome, which results in one side of the heart being underdeveloped and necessitates multiple surgical interventions over time.
An Instant Connection Forms
Dr. Beethe explained that she fell in love with True the very first moment they met, when he playfully pretended to be asleep and then shouted 'Boo!' as she removed his anesthesia mask. Unable to stop thinking about the brave little boy, she introduced him to her husband, Ryan Beethe, who quickly shared her sentiments. 'We went up and met True in the hospital, and it didn't take long to fall in love with him,' Ryan stated. 'We knew we needed him in our family.'
Expanding an Already Large Family
The Beethe family, which includes eight children in total with several previously adopted, welcomed True into their home after his surgery in January 2021. Following his recovery, he began staying with the family just one month later. In a remarkable effort to keep siblings together, the couple also adopted one of True's five siblings, while other siblings were adopted by Amy's sister, Ryan's brother, and a fellow anesthesiologist from the hospital.
Living Life to the Fullest
Today, True enjoys playing games and participating in sports like any other child, though his condition means he may tire more quickly. He embraces an inspiring motto: 'Keep going and don't stop.' Now nine years old, True has undergone multiple heart surgeries as the family works to 'buy him as much time' as possible before he will inevitably require a heart transplant in the future.
Understanding Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease refers to a range of heart defects present from birth, affecting approximately 1 in 110 babies, according to medical sources like the Cleveland Clinic. The condition manifests in various forms, but thanks to significant advances in modern medical treatment, around 90 percent of those diagnosed at birth now survive well into adulthood, offering hope for patients like True.
