"Child loss is not an event, it is an indescribable journey of survival"

After being diagnosed, shortly after his birth, D'Antoni underwent several biopsies. The 3rd and final biopsy on Friday, January 30, 2009, did not go well.  He had to go under anesthesia, and unfortunately, this began his demise. 

 

The things we remember, as parents, are things no one should have to remember or go through.  The last time we saw our baby’s big beautiful, brown eyes was before he entered emergency surgery, early Saturday morning, January 31, 2009.  He was placed in a medically induced coma after surgery.  He remained this way until we decided to remove him from life support, Sunday, February 1, 2009 at approximately 9:15pm.  

 

We can still hear his heartbeat slowing down and fading away, as the hospital allowed the sound to echo in the room.  At around 9:45pm, and after many of our family members had held and said their final good-byes, D'Antoni chose to die in his mother's arms. 

 

The things that occurred afterwards we will never forget.  From washing his body, and holding him until his body became too cold, to watching the nurse rock him in her arms saying she would take good care of him.  We had to leave the hospital that night with an empty car seat, which was heart breaking.  We had no choice but to begin our ‘new normal’.

 

We truly thank the hospital staff for without them, we would not have known to cut lockets of his hair, to make imprints of his hands and feet, and much more.
 

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With this journey of child loss comes a huge brokenness.  We want to assist families any way we can to ease their journey.

 

The Forever And A Day (F.A.A.D) Foundation was established to provide support and pay it forward to families. 

 

We are thinking of those families:

 

• Who do not know to cut a locket of hair or get the hand or footprints to remember their babies 

• Who lack the financial support for burial services, food, utilities, and other needs

• Who suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and more

 

All which comes along with losing a child(ren).  This journey is tough, and you do not have to travel it alone!!