STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 29
When Gregg and Joanie Goss faced a parent ’ s worst nightmare – a lingering disease and eventual death of their daughter – there were many ways they could have responded . Anger . An endless quest for answers . Hiding from the world .
Their choice was not the most common ...
<<< Top left : Jaycee Goss , at age 3 , was already a frequent patient at Oklahoma Children ' s Hospital and showing the doctors and staff her defiant spirit .
<<< Bottom right : Jaycee Goss Elliot " refused to let her disease define her ."
Gregg and Joanie transformed their experience and grief into a mission to console and assist other parents whose children are dealing with congenital heart disease .
“ We have a big heart for what those parents are going through emotionally , spiritually and financially ,” Gregg said . “ They will never get over the loss of a child , but we try to help them navigate through it .
Every month or so , the couple from Perkins is summoned by Mended Little Hearts , a support group for parents of children with heart disease , at Oklahoma Children ’ s Hospital in Oklahoma City . Sometimes the Gosses join nervous parents during a surgery . Sometimes they pray , or rejoice , or weep . Sometimes they help make funeral arrangements .
“ When you are in that situation as a parent , you feel you are all alone , and you have nobody . So when you have someone come in who has been in that situation , it can help . Knowing someone cares and has your back makes a difference ,” Joanie said .
“ Jaycee motivates us ,” Gregg said .
I
n the summer of 1985 , joy turned into an ordeal .
Already parents of a rowdy 3-year-old boy , Gregg and Joanie were told their newborn daughter , Jaycee , had a congenital heart disease . Her body was fragile and life probably brief . It seemed hopeless in the beginning .
Jaycee was defiant . Over the years , she had more than 30 medical procedures . Six were open heart surgeries , some were experimental operations . Some were emergencies , three were with specialists in Cleveland . Most procedures were between the ages of 2 months and 10 years at University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City but they continued into adulthood . Jaycee became a beloved patient . “ She had a great effect on the pediatric and cardiology staff ,” Gregg said .
The couple remembers a dangerous surgery when Jaycee was about 18 . More than 25 people – family , friends , medical staff and strangers – were on their knees , praying in the waiting room . Prayer circles in the waiting rooms were common , Joanie said .
Jaycee ’ s childhood was challenging . Days were filled with severe breathing challenges , frequent medical interruptions , and the awareness that life could be short , but she had a role model in life .
“ Jaycee was like her father . Nothing was going to get in her way ,” Joanie said . “ As a parent of a child with congenital heart disease , you always face the possibility
Gregg Goss , left , is a farrier and friend to many ranchers in the Stillwater and Payne County area , includeing Callie and Trent Creager of Stillwater .
of death , but you have to focus on life and letting them live .”
In the third grade , Jaycee persuaded her coach – and parents – to allow her to play basketball . It meant racing her 4-foot , 45-pound body up and down a court against faster , bigger girls . It meant wheezing and sickness on the sidelines , but she did her best .
Dance classes . Cheerleading . Wrestling homecoming queen . Honor student . The precious driver ’ s license . Jaycee did not slow down . She graduated from the Uni-
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