Expenses and Rest - Help Amy after Lance's Death

My sister, Amy, gave birth to precious strawberry-blonde-haired Lance Louis Gounder, 7 pounds 10 ounces, at 1:14 AM Saturday, February 19, 2022.  She and Frank were overjoyed to hear his vibrant cry as he came into this world.

The next part just SUCKS to share...

The NICU team took wonderful care of Lance, until, unexpectedly, his oxygen levels plummeted in the afternoon. His brother Liam was able to meet him at 5pm and then Lance took his last breath in the arms of his mother Amy, surrounded by Frank, Liam, and her parents Win and Nancy, at 7:15 PM that same day.

 

Amy had a very emotional and physically demanding pregnancy as Lance was diagnosed at 20 weeks with a rare condition that affected the development of his lungs and his kidneys. She was driving back and forth for months from Indianapolis to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for amnio infusions and was set up at the Ronald McDonald house two weeks before Lance was born, expecting to be in the NICU for 4-6 months to regulate his kidneys via dialysis before being able to return home.

Ironically, the same day as his death, the results of a long-awaited amniotic genetic test came back that showed a change in Lance’s FOXF1 gene.  Basically, this meant that early on in his lung development his blood vessels were unable to grow correctly to allow his lungs to transport oxygen to his blood.

 

It was a shock to the doctors and our family, as this was unrecognizable in any of the tests before birth. 

 

This week has been HARD for our whole family.  It will continue to be.  I hate it. 
Yet as Amy shared via a text to our family this week:

 

“It gives me a little more closure but doesn’t lessen my pain in the least. Even though he survived only a number of hours, it was worth everything to be able to meet him and see his sweet face.”

 

As you can see, in the pictures, they were able to be together as a family for a few hours before his soul left this fragile world.

 

There are five tangible ways our family is asking you to be involved if you are able:

 

1. Giving financially:

I asked Amy if I could put together this fundraiser to help with some of the funeral costs and medical needs.  What is left over will be for her to rest and recover without having the pressure to work full time right away.  Joining us in giving will provide space, less stress, and help all of this happen in a healthier way.

 

2. Send a meal:

If you would like to send a gift card for a meal, Amy’s email address is [email redacted] . com

 

3. Show up and be with us:

There is a public viewing Tuesday, March 1st, 11 AM-1 PM at Northview Church in Carmel, IN with a

funeral service at 1 PM. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery (9001 Haverstick Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46240).

 

4. Taking time to write:

Encouragement and love can be sent to Amy, Frank and Liam at:

9161 Warwick Rd

Indianapolis, IN 46240.

 

5. Prayer.

 

Thank you for listening, giving grace and love, being a friend, and your prayers.  
These are all just words.  My heart hurts for Amy and Frank and our family.  I hate doing this...no cookie-cutter answers from me today...yet a deeper love for our family through it all.