In Loving Memory Of Gracelyn Lee

Gracelyn "Gracie" Lee Churchill was born sleeping on 2/1/2014 at 12:29 am. At just 22w 2d Gracie weighed 1lb, 4oz and was 9.5".

This memorial fund has been put into place to help pay for the medical expenses Rachel is faced with after her daughter was sadly stillborn due to Turner's Syndrome. Your donations are greatly appreciated and much needed.

Our story:

On January 6, 2014 our daughter was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome (TS). For those of you who are unfamiliar with TS it's the missing of all or part of the second X chromosome. Gracie also had a large Cystic Hygroma on the back of her head that measures 40 mm and Hydrops (areas of fluid buildup throughout the body). Since Gracie had the Cystic Hygroma and Hydrops, the Maternal-Fetal Specialist gave us a grim prognosis. We were told that "there is a 99% chance that your pregnancy will end in fetal demise". We kept replaying those words over in our minds. "99% chance of fetal demise". Just minutes before we found out that we were expecting a little girl girl, then we found out that she would likely die. Our hearts we're broken.

Over the following weeks I remained hopeful. I researched and read as many of the very few success stories I could find. I had to continue fighting for my little girl. As her mother, I felt like if I had accepted that she was going to die, that would mean I had given up on her. I would never be able to live with myself knowing that I had just given up.

"By God's grace, all will be well"

I prayed for answers, prayed for the strength to get through this. I prayed, begged, and pleaded with God to heal Gracie. After time, I accepted that this was entirely out of my control and in God's hands.

Hello and Goodbye...

On 1/30 we sadly learned that our daughters heart had stopped beating. Just moments after the ultrasound had started, I knew something was wrong. It never took long to find Gracie's heartbeat, ever. She always had such a strong heartbeat, even a week before she passed her heart rate was perfect. 

The following morning I arrived at Baylor Medical Center in Frisco to be induced. I was in labor for over 18 hours before Gracie was born still into the world. We did what any "normal" parents would, we held our daughter. Patrick and I counted her tiny fingers and toes. 10 perfect fingers and 10 perfect toes. Gracie had the most perfect little lips and a piggy nose just like her Mommy. All we could do was stare at her in awe.

The pain of delivering a stillborn is one that cannot be simply put into words. The hardest part for me was knowing that I would not be hearing the beautiful sound of Gracie's cries, instead I only heard mine. Then it was time to leave the hospital, with empty arms. We were back to being a family of 2 instead of a hopeful family of 3. The realization of our loss continues to grow more and more with each passing day, as does the pain that comes along with it.

The only comfort we have is knowing that Gracelyn is safe and loved in Heaven.