Prayers, faith sustain Indiana family through infant's fight for life

Published: 2007-03-14

INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- At first glance, Anne Therese Felts looks like any thriving 10-week-old baby. "Annie" -- as her older brother and sisters call her -- has a sweet little face and a beautiful smile. And she is healthy now. Every baby is a miracle, but the story of her rare medical condition and amazing fight for life is especially miraculous. She is named for Anne Therese Guerin, the French nun who founded the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods and who was canonized last year as St. Mother Theodore Guerin. At 27 weeks gestation, the fourth child of St. Simon the Apostle parishioners Chris and Paje Felts of Indianapolis was diagnosed with having a rare pericardial teratoma -- a racquetball-size tumor attached to her heart. She overcame overwhelming odds during the hours and days after her premature birth Dec. 28, 2006. From the time of her prenatal diagnosis through her birth at 36 weeks gestation, Anne Therese has been showered with prayers. Those prayers by family members, friends and countless other people of faith continued during complicated heart surgery a day later and throughout her struggle to breathe without a respirator.

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