In this week of our own amazingly good news, I've been stopped short by several very difficult things happening to people I care about. My heart breaks for all of them, and I wish there was more I could do to help.
As you may know, precious Baby Bug, just over a month old, is having heart surgery today to correct a congenital heart defect. His poor parents, who have gone through so much to get him into this world, are worried and frightened. He is in excellent hands, and is going in to the surgery relatively healthy, but it is nonetheless a very big ordeal for such a small guy. I know they would appreciate any thoughts and prayers you could spare for them.
UPDATE: Bug Baby is out of surgery and recovering in the ICU. He came through the surgery just fine.
Also, Steph, one of my cycle buddies from IVF due right around the same time as me, just found out this week that her baby has Trisomy 21, Downs Syndrome. She could also probably use some kind thoughts and prayers.
And finally, one of my colleagues and friends has just found out, at 23 weeks, that her and her partner's baby has Trisomy 18, a typically fatal condition. They are now faced with the tremendously difficult decision of whether they should terminate the pregnancy, or allow it to proceed with the understanding that it will ultimately not succeed. This was a hard-won pregnancy, and their excitement about it was utterly infectious. It is a huge, and very difficult, loss for them, and I am trying to find ways to help them through their grief, while realizing that the sight of my belly is probably the very last thing they need right now.
In a spot of good news, though, Erin has received a referral for a beautiful baby boy, and should be traveling soon to meet him. And that's enough, at least, to bring a smile to my face on this sad, hard day.
I'm so sorry to hear of the bad news of the other parents and the challenges they face.
I can't think of anything else to write, because they face some difficult choices and there's not much one can say to make the situation better.
Posted by: Erin | February 03, 2006 at 10:07 AM
Oh, Jen. My heart is just breaking into little pieces. Thank you for sharing the news.
--Bugs
Posted by: Dead Bug | February 03, 2006 at 02:32 PM
So sorry to hear about the sad news the other parents that have tried so hard for their children are going through. Glad to know that bug baby did fine with the surgery. Take care.
Posted by: Emmakirst | February 03, 2006 at 04:19 PM
Over from Bugs' blog. My thoughts are with these families.
-Blue
Posted by: -Blue | February 04, 2006 at 04:58 AM
It is a hard, sad day, but I appreciate the update on Baby Bug and am glad he's doing well. I will continue to think about and pray for these families.
Posted by: Suz | February 04, 2006 at 09:56 AM
Hearing that news about breaks my heart! Oh, what a horrible decision for your cycle-buddy, a difficult piece of information for your co-worker to process, and having a child go through surgery, how heart-wrenching! Glad to hear he's doing well, though. I'm going to go give my healthy children a hug.
Posted by: Bev | February 06, 2006 at 08:24 PM