Brianna Gives Hope: Memorial Cards

Monday, January 11, 2010

Memorial Cards

Below are the cards we had made for Brianna's memorial service. The first is the top and the second is the reverse side. The third picture is the memorial program. The cards have turned into a type of "calling card" for Brianna. We hand them out every chance we get.

5 comments:

DanaJan 12, 2010 10:03 AM
Hi Brenda;
I loved the poem for Bri on the program. It made me smile and cry at the same time. I think of you every day and hope you are finding ways to survive the unbearable pain. My prayers are still with you.
Dana
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Mummy PaulineJan 13, 2010 02:52 AM
My heart goes out for you ...
It's not easy & it will never be easy ... Let's wish our sweet little angels are happy & filled with laughter everyday, no more suffering for them ...

Hugs & kisses,
Mummy Pauline
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CathyJan 13, 2010 05:56 AM
Those are so beautiful Brenda, thank you for sharing them with us!
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MayJan 14, 2010 09:26 PM
Tears are pouring as I read the poem. Every word so painfully true. You reminded me that "our children did not come to stay"...it is something not easy to come to terms with but so necessary to accept their passing. Thanks Brenda for sharing this heartfelt message. It touched me deeply.
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AnonymousJan 15, 2010 05:28 PM
Thank you for sharing, the card and program are beautiful! I've still got tears from the poem on the card! Its so very true and as May said, a reminder that our babies didn't get to stay but touched so many lives! Sending you hugs and prayers
Cindy
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Definition of Trisomy 18

Edwards Syndrome : Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18) is a chromosomal abnormality where there is an extra chromosome present in every cell of the body. This is an example of where “the more the merrier” is not true. This extra chromosome means that every cell has extra information encoded into it. The extra information causes confusion in the way that the cells are formed and results in the potential malformation of all of the body systems. Sadly, this condition is considered "not compatible with life". Just like with Down's Syndrome (Trisomy 21), there is a wide range of how this condition will play out (what the doctor's will refer to as your child's phenotype). Unfortunately because there is more information encoded on the 18th chromosome, the severity of this condition is greater than that of Down's Syndrome. Current studies show that while 1:1500 children will be diagnosed prenatally with trisomy 18, only half that number (or 1:3000) will be born alive at full term. Of those who survive to birth, only half will make it to two months of age, and only 10% will survive to their first birthday. Children who live can be an important part of their family and community, but are profoundly developmentally delayed.

But oh, how we love these special little babies. When Brianna was born we were told she would probably leave this earth within 24 hours...but look at her now. 24 months old, healthy, adorable and amazing. God has been so good. Brenda

Bri's Medical Condition

Brianna was full-term born on April 12, 2007, weighing 5 lb 18 oz and 18" long. Her Apgar scores at birth were 8 and 9. Approximately 15 hours after her birth we were advised of the tentative Trisomy 18 diagnosis.

Immediate health issues had to do with her heart: Mainly, a VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect); PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) ; and a PFO.

Open Heart Surgery at 4 months and

G-tube placement before we came home.

Eye surgery in Spring of '08 to correct cross-eyes.

Tubes placed in ears in Fall of '08 hoping to quash the numerous ear infections.

Scan of abdominal section in Dec. '08. Everthing appears normal.

Brianna takes formula by g-tube but eats baby food by mouth. She can hear, see, is rolling over, sitting up, trying to crawl, playing with toys, says "da da"; "do it, do it, do it" and various other sounds. She is the happiest child we have ever known.

We are so very blessed.