Help the Hoffman-Cooper Family Heal

 

 

 

 

Loss is never easy. The grieving process alone is very difficult and can feel uncertain. It is even more challenging when simultaneously dealing with physical pain and healing, which is exactly what Stephanie Hoffman-Cooper is currently handling. After speaking with the Hoffman-Cooper family, Stephanie summarized their dreadful experience from the past few months...

 

"When we found out we were expecting twins after 5 months of trying to have our 4th and final baby (with an early miscarriage along the way), we had so many emotions; terrified that we didn't plan, nor have room, for 5 kids, but over-the-moon excited for the extra love and life we'd be bringing into this world.

 

Sadly, Baby A (our son, Maxwell Ryan) only made it 8 weeks. We were thankful that we got a picture of our son, but we were devastated about our first loss of a baby that had a detectable heartbeat. Still, we tried to stay strong for our 3 living children (Brooke, Benjamin, and Jacob) and our 4th, still growing and thriving.

 

About a month later, I started having excruciating pains that landed me in the hospital for a few days. No one could figure out what was causing them. Some doctors were way off, some said normal pregnancy stretching or scar tissue. Regardless, I was sent on my way with some pain meds and no restrictions.

 

Roughly a month after that hospital visit, while getting ready for bed, I started having the worst pain I've ever had in my life. Indescribable pain. I was rushed to the hospital, and after some tests, I went into surgery for suspected appendicitis. While in surgery, they discovered the main cause was that my uterus had ruptured (I still had to have an appendectomy on top of it). My perfectly healthy 19+ week old baby girl (Madison Elizabeth) was delivered. Due to her extreme prematurity, she was unable to live outside of me.

 

After 5 hours, 6 unit of blood lost, and nearly my own loss of life, I made it out of surgery with a broken uterus that we can no longer use to carry more children. My recovery was, and still is, grueling. I had to stay in the hospital for nearly an extra week while my body learned how to semi-function again, and while I received 6 blood transfusions."

 

About 2 months later, the Hoffman-Cooper family is still healing. Physically, mentally, financially. Stephanie is currently back in the hospital from surgery complications. She still can't function fully yet. Joshua and Stephanie have barely been given a chance to grieve the loss of their baby girl, and they are falling further and further behind financially. No one prepares you for the expenses involved in losing your child, especially when you have other children to care for. From the doctor and hospital bills (plus extra hospital costs like parking, gas, and food), to the funeral cost (even with the very generous discount from the funeral home), to the missed work, to the extra child care, etc. etc. etc. Life goes on while they're still trying to keep their heads about water. Please consider donating to this amazing family. Any amount is truly appreciated. Thank you.