Lee baby’s 6-week fight for life ends

LEE – Nicholas Chandonait’s six-week struggle for life has ended.

The baby who endured five surgeries for a congenital heart defect and a collapsed diaphragm since his birth on Jan. 3 died suddenly at about 3 p.m. Saturday, a spokeswoman for Maine Medical Center in Portland said Monday.

His mother, 26-year-old Amy Chandonait of Lee, would say only, “it’s been a terribly difficult time.”

Her mother-in-law, Gail Chandonait, said Ken and Amy Chandonait are devastated by Nicholas’ sudden death, which, she was told, was caused by a blood clot.

“Up to that point, he was doing excellent,” Gail Chandonait said late Monday.

But the family is doing as well as can be expected. “There are good times and bad times. They are among friends. They have a lot of family support and friends,” she said.

Nicholas’ congenital condition was detected about 20 weeks into the pregnancy. His prognosis was hopeful. Nicholas was born with tetralogy of Fallot, a complex series of anatomic abnormalities. A hole formed between the ventricles of his heart and he lacked a heart valve, doctors said.

Doctors twice installed a shunt between Nicholas’ heart and lungs. They also repaired the collapsed diaphragm and did angioplasty on his pulmonary arteries. Nicholas was due for a sixth surgery Feb. 10 when the clot appeared, Gail Chandonait said.

The Chandonaits’ friends raised $2,934 to help the family pay tens of thousands of dollars of debt. Ken Chandonait, a carpenter, has not worked since his son was born.

The baby’s parents, Gail Chandonait said, have deep gratitude for the help they have received, which includes donated services by Clay Funeral Home of Lincoln and the services of Ronald McDonald House in Portland. Several Lincoln businesses made donations, and friends Shaun and Jennifer Gordon have been constant companions as well.

“They are overwhelmed with all of the love and support that they have gotten from everybody, plus the generosity they have gotten, which has helped tremendously,” Chandonait said. “They are very grateful for everything everybody has done.”

The family will hold a private service today followed by a spring burial. Anyone interested in donating money to the family can send checks to the Chandonaits, 225 South Road, Lee, Maine 04455.