Blogging about life in Minnesota, raising our six kids with Down syndrome while battling Breast Cancer.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says, "Oh shit! She's up!"

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Saying Goodbye to a Princess


Yesterday Destany went to Minneapolis Children's hospital to have her first radiation treatment. The only way to battle DIPG. Shortly before she was to be sedated for the treatment she had what appeared to be a seizure, or seizure-like event. She was admitted and an EEG run where no seizure activity was found. She was sedated at this point, so it was decided to go ahead and do the radiation treatment.

Unfortunately it was all just too much for Destany's brain stem. It just couldn't do the work it needed to keep her alive anymore. Destany was placed on life support. Sometime later she stopped having any response to pain and her pupils were no longer responding.

This morning when I arrived to the hospital they were removing her from the machines to see how she would do. As was expected, she was not able to breathe on her own. After seven minutes she was placed back on life support.

Melinda has decided to do what she can so another mother does not have to go through what she has today. Doctors spent today doing blood type matches so that another child might live even as we say goodbye to Destany. As I type this Destany should be in surgery. Tonight there will be several children to whom Destany has given life.

Sunday, Destany with her mommy Melinda.


Sunday


Sunday: Destany with her uncle Dustin and Papa Chuck

Sunday, Destany with her Papa Chuck and mommy Melinda

Sunday: Destany and her aunt Amanda...her second mommy. 

Diva Destany

Destany and her mommy Melinda

Sunday: Destany and her aunt Nicole

14 comments:

gps said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tamara said...

Just don't have the words, Leah. I'm so sorry. It's just heartbreaking. And to see the pictures from just two days ago, it's just difficult to imagine what all of you must be going through. Prayers - just lots of prayers.

gps said...

I am so sorry. Rest in peace, Destany.

Jennifer said...

Children are never, ever supposed to die. I'm so sorry to read this. But one of the most bravest, most loving choices a mother can give is to choose to give life to other children through the tragedy of their child's death. God bless your family for finding just a shard of light in the middle of a horrific night.

Imogen said...

Nooo.. how can this be? Such a precious little child. I am beyond sad to read this update, and my heart goes out to your family.

RIP sweet child.

I don't know you, or Destany personally, but I am in floods of tears here. I have been praying against hope that she somehow could beat this disease.

Bless her mother for helping all those other children too xx

Becca said...

Leah, I am so, so sorry. My heart and thoughts go out to all of you. I wish I knew what to say...heartbreaking...

Anonymous said...

Hugs and Prayers to you all

Anna said...

So so sorry. What a horrible turn of events. My heart aches for those that knew and loved her. Prayers .

Mel said...

You know I'm praying for you all and thinking of you. I'm so sorry for your loss Leah... I can't imagine this kind of pain...

Ciska said...

I'm so sorry ...

catusa said...

I am so sorry, everything happened so quickly. I pray with time you and your family will find peace that she died without pain, nor suffering or fear. And that just days before her death she was happily enjoying a Sunday afternoon with her family. As a bereaved mother whose daughter also died suddenly I found comfort in this.

Always be there for her to talk about Destany.Especially when things calm down and people start going back to their day to day lives.

Linnea said...

I am so sorry. It hurts to see those pictures and she looked ok on Sunday. Just a few days ago!! So much can change in an instant. Praying for yall.

Be blessed
Ashlee

Stephanie @ Ralphcrew said...

Leah, I am so, so sorry for the loss you and your family have suffered. Praying for comfort and peace.

Natalie said...

Praying for you guys, I'm so sorry for your loss.