Brianna Gives Hope: Good Morning Sweet Angel

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Good Morning Sweet Angel

Today marks 4 months since you have been gone. It has been a life-changing event that has just about torn our family apart. I ask for prayers for us (Brenda, Jerry and Ashley) that God will lay his healing hand on our family and bring us close again.

Last week we received a card in the mail, it is so amazing that I want to share it with everyone. Here is the outside of the card...

and the hand-written note inside:

"Your sweet little Brianna wasn't here for Christmas, but when I saw this picture there was an immediate reaction - my goodness, there's Brianna scampering around in heaven."

Thank you Joe and Cheryl. What a wonderful card.

6 comments:

AnonymousJanuary 4, 2010 at 5:02 AM
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CathyJanuary 4, 2010 at 11:44 AM
OMG! that looks just like Brianna. That is amazing. As always your family is in our prayers.
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Yin MayJanuary 5, 2010 at 4:28 AM
Brenda I thought it was Bri without even reading your post. Hoping Angel Bri will be able to bring your family close again just as she did when she was here.
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AnonymousJanuary 5, 2010 at 8:30 PM
What a beautiful card! Thinking and praying for your entire family
Cindy
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DanaJanuary 7, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Hi Brenda;
I too lost my child to Trisomy 18 and it's been over a year for me now. There have been times when I as well thought my family would fall apart (not to mention me) but I just wanted you to know that it WILL get better. Your beatiful Bri will never be forgotten but please hang on and know that there is hope for a brighter day. My prayers are with you.
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MariselaJanuary 11, 2010 at 1:16 AM
Your blog is very beautiful as was your daughter Brianna. What a sweet tribute to your angel.

I came upon this blog by accident, but then there are no coincidences.

Just like the card you received. I have no doubt you have a glimpse of your daughter in the ever after.

"For death begins with life's first breath and life begins at the touch of death" ~John Oxenham

Your daughter is more alive now than she ever was on Earth and one day you will be with her again, surrounded by the angels and our creator himself in the heavenly realms for all eternity!

May God bless you and your family.

~Marisela
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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.

Brianna Gives Hope

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Good Morning Sweet Angel

6 comments:

Our Family, Nov 2007

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