Day of Reflection

It was four weeks ago today that Brinleigh and Maeleigh came into this world and changed our lives forever.  Today is a day to reflect.  With the news of these precious girls arrival came amazing family support.  Dustin's Mom hurried up from Zion's, Carries parents in Vegas hurried home and Carrie's brother caught a flight from Portland as soon as he could.  Everyone that lived by them also rallied around them.  All in support of Dustin and Carries new little family that came way early.  Carrie remarked how she had tons of text and calls on her phone and was overwhelmed and could never return them all.  Especially with her focus on her girls and her recovery.  So we talked with Dustin and Carrie with the suggestion of this blog as a way to distribute information.  The difficult part was deciding on the right words to say and pictures to post.  This has continued to be very diffuclt at times.  We have tried to be sensitive to the pictures and the content.  It has been a wonderful tool for Dustin and Carrie and a relief to them.  If they could text and talk to everyone they would. 

When born Brinleigh cried  a bit and was taken to the NICU.  Maeleigh was delivered in her sack straight to the NICU.  Brinliegh did well from the start.  Maeleigh however had problems with her lungs.  Our first visit to Carrie was  to experience a call to her room for her to come to the NICU as soon as possible Maeleigh was struggling.  The nurses could not get her in a wheel chair becuase she was still numb from her delivery.  So as only a Mom can do she suggested they let her Dad pick her up and get her in a wheelchair to go see her baby.  Of course any Dad would do that for their child. 

Maeleigh continued to struggle and had bleeding on the brain.  After 5 days her lungs and brain just could not recover and develop enough to sustain her.  It was very difficult to watch Maeleighs life slip away in the arms of her parents.  Then to watch them have to go through the burial of this angel.  We were so very proud of the words that Dustin spoke at the services.  We know both of them struggled to find he right thing to say.  It was perfect and they are amazingly strong.

Brinleigh our rock star at the beginning has struggled since the passing of her sister.  Who really knows if it is related.  Her infection/fungus continues to baffle the medical people at Primary.  She had her little emergency surgery that threw us all for a surprise.  Next her stomach swells when they start feeding her and it has not gotten better or worse.  We are so fortunate however to know that she is in the best Children's hospital in the intermountain area that we can just drive to.  Brinleigh's health is still a puzzle but she continues to gain weight and have an attitude.  All good signs.

We are so proud of Dustin and Carrie and their strength and commitment.  Carrie is there for countless hours of the day overseeing Brinleigh's care.  She understands her care to a point that the nurses consult her and ask her about things.  Dustin is so torn and wants to be with Brinleigh but is dedicated to making a living to support his family.  He is there every night after work and goes home late with Carrie.  We dont' know how they do it.  We know they were very exhausted at the end of this past week.

Many of us are just grateful for the few minutes we get to spend seeing Brinleigh and supporting Carrie and Dustin's family.  We all wish there was more we could do as many of you do.  Continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers is the best we all can do. This road is a long and rocky one.