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Are you smiling like George Lagerstrom?

By Tony Scott, 11/28/13, 11:00AM CST

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900 smiling orange balloons lifted off after George's funeral in September

A Tribute to a Great Kid


An all around athlete Edina flashes his smile after a Mite game

Writing a story about youth hockey is easy.  It is easy to write about people doing something they truly love. It is easy to write about boys and girls winning trophies. It should not be easy to write about a little boy that lost his life after only eight years.  But in this case, it has been easy.  George made it easy.

I never met George Lagerstrom.  I knew George because he was Jack Lagerstrom's little brother.  Jack was a star hockey player for Edina's Squirt and PeeWee teams the last few years. And over time knew that George was born with some health challenges.  Those health challenges came to the forefront this past season when Jack's team dedicated their season to him.  An undefeated season and State Championship Trophy was given to George last March when Jack's team won the PeeWee AA championship.

At this point, I really didn't know who he was or that an eight year old boy would impact me the way he would.

Not until a week or so after the season, that's when I got a call from George's dad, Ed.  Ed called me to thank YHH for the snippets of coverage about George in our publication.  I remember that day very well.  I remember getting every last detail of George's medical history from Ed and thinking how trivial hockey felt at the time of the call. The best part of the call for me was despite losing extremities and facing months of rehabilitation, Ed had so much hope in his voice for George. I found out later why, after being listed for a transplant, George's prognosis was so good that he was removed from the list.  His prognosis was good.

Weeks after that call, I was watching the news and saw a story about George on KSTP, how he and his family sponsored a Blood Drive (Star Wars themed after one of George's greatest passions). George and his cast of characters had hundreds of pints of blood donated that day.  This coming just a few months after a surgery that where he had consumed over 100 pints of blood.

At that point it struck me, "this kid is special."  And later I found out why he was special.  George was born with a "defective" heart.  Prior to birth, his parents (Ed and Julie Lagerstrom) were told their son had a congenital heart defect. They were told that his chances of living were not good. Simply living a week might be a miracle and would have given even the greatest skeptic reason to believe in a higher purpose. But he lived more than a week, he lived months and then years. What doctors later discovered was George's heart was so "defective" it actually figured out a way to work on it's own (cough, cough special). With no medical background, this fact is one of the more amazing miracles George would reveal in his 8 years.

Fast forward a couple months, I get an email from a friend who wanted to showcase a story about an event George held for his charity of choice...The Children’s Heart Foundation. George, his buddies and hundreds of people showed up at Island View Golf Course and raised money for George's cause. I just recall thinking, "this is one selfless, happy eight year old kid" as I posted this short article about the event. The picture in the story is worth a thousands words.  George surrounded by people he love, most wearing orange (his favorite color) raising money for kids just like George.  There are millions of adults out there that could learn a thing or two from this kid.

A couple weeks later George passed away comfortably in his sleep.  His work on Earth was done.

 

Medical History


The Philadelphia Flyers getting their brush with fame last Winter

George's  heart had many material defects but they all worked in tandem to help George's heart function work well enough to where he did not need surgery - a miracle unto itself. George had check ups every 6 months and the doctors were amazed he required no surgery or medication until he had his major surgery at 7 years old. George had major heart surgery on September 20, 2012 at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, this facility is considered the number one children's hospital in the country and the surgery was conducted by one of the best, if not the best pediatric cardiac surgeon in the country.

George was very brave and excited to have his heart fixed, he did not cry or show any concern.  On that day, George was a very tough Jedi. According to the surgeon, the operation went well but when they took George off of bypass in the operating room his heart refused to pump, it was used to working one way for so many years and when it was fixed but was required to pump normally it did not want to work. George had to be put on a bypass heart machine to keep him alive, he was on the machine for 5 days and he used over 100 pints of blood product. On day 5, they took him off bypass not knowing if his heart would respond, his heart started beating.  They had to take him off bypass otherwise he would have bled to death.  It was a miracle his heart started to work.

Because of the lack of circulation to his hands and feet they had to amputate his left hand, most of right hand and all his toes on the right foot. George was at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA from September 20th, 2012  to February 28th, 2013

George's mom Julie, spent every day and night with him except for when she came home to watch George's older brother play in the Roseau Tournament. In February of 2013, George transferred to the the Amplatz Children's Hospital at the University of Minnesota. When he got to the U of M he made significant progress and stayed there two months and then transferred to Gillette for Rehab.

What Made George Special


Photographed last Summer, George with his sister Elizabeth and brother Jack

First of all, George was the youngest child.  Youngest kids seem to always get an extra set of character genes when they arrive on Earth.  George fit this stereotype to the Nth degree.  Besides being a character he was also very sweet and always cared for others around him.

George loved country music.  If you know his parents and his older siblings Jack and Elizabeth, they are the farthest thing from Country.  Well, at least they use to be.  The next time you hear the Zac Brown Band play a song think of George. George loved the ZBB, especially their song "Toes." Although probably not age appropriate there is a lyric about getting away from GA (Georgia), George changed the lyric to PA (Pennsylvania, where he sat hospitalized for months). 

George came home May 16th and started school the next week. He worked hard every day at school and rehab to get stronger. He looked forward to the summer, the cabin and the new orange boat. Despite all of the hard work, his biggest concern was making sure everyone was happy.

George never complained or  felt sorry for himself.  This is quite amazing after considering George had over 50 procedures completed on him, had over 350 stitches in his heart, had two stents put in his heart,  used over 100 units of blood, lost his left hand, most of his right hand and much of his right foot, two shots a day for 8 months and skin grafts on his back.

Most kids today complain if they get the wrong colored fruit rollup.  George made his way through life with a smile. If you don't believe me, read Story About George written by his Aunt Rhoda and you will see. A great lesson learned from a blessed little boy, no matter what your circumstance....smile.

During George's funeral, Ed told a brief story about making George some pancakes after he got back from Philly.  Ed was determined to make the best pancakes he'd ever made for his little buddy's first breakfast back at home. In doing so, he was concentrating like any good amateur would have to in order to make a great meal. To which George emplored his dad in a rather astute and innocent 8 year old way, "Dad, you should be smiling...they're just pancakes."

It's amazing how many simple truths this little boy exposed people to in his short time on Earth.  His cousin Katy wrote, What I've Learned from George. Ten simple and unique life lessons that most should heed. My favorite is "Humor is a Powerful Healer" becuase even in George's darkest hour he taught others (me inlcuded) to have some fun along the way.  George was a prankster and a jokester.

But what made George the most special is he never wrote his story, he just lived it.  People today spend days, hours and weeks trying to write their own perfect story and sometimes the story of their children. George probably knew he didn't have time to write the perfect story. So he just got busy living it.

A special thanks to the Lagerstrom family for sharing George's wonderful story with me and now the YHH readers. My warmest wishes to them as they celebrate their first Thanksgiving without George.

George Andrew Lagerstrom


The Lagerstrom's new puppy, aptly named Chewie for George's love of Star Wars

Age 8, of Edina Survived by loving parents, Julie and Ed Lagerstrom; brother, Jack; sister, Elizabeth; grandparents, Gene and Betty Schurman and Jean Lagerstrom; also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by grandfather, Ron Lagerstrom. On Sept 20, 2012 George had surgery in Philadelphia to correct a rare and complex congenital heart defect. After 8 months in the ICU and countless complications including loss of some of his extremities, George was able to come home and enjoy the summer with his family and friends who love him so dearly. Despite his physical challenges and a heart that wouldn't fully recover, George's strength, bravery, unshakable faith and compassion for others inspired all who met him. George went home to the Lord peacefully Saturday morning while sleeping at the cabin, after teaching us that with faith, hope, love and a little humor we can overcome any obstacle. George loves fishing, golfing, playing hockey, building Legos, and is a Star Wars enthusiast. Darth Vader said it best, "The Force is strong with this one." 

YHH received several pictures of George.  This photo captures a sweet boy enjoying a S'more, but it also captures George's beautiful eyes, zest for life and his mischievous spirit. 

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