Fund Details: 
Sean and I would have started a life insurance policy as soon as possible if it were ever an option for our baby girl. However, being born ill, it's not a possibility. Therefore, burial costs are out-of-pocket and medical bills are still undetermined, but estimated to be quite high. We are humbly asking for help to raise money to help with these expenses. We are not having a funeral, as Sean and I can not bear the thought of it. We just want to honor her with a very intimate burial. 

We want to thank each one of you who prayed and loved Shea, Sean and me throughout this process. And we want to thank you on behalf of our family for whatever you are contribute to our angel. 

Shea's Story (though many more moments of joy that words can not do justice):
At 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12th 2014, during a routine prenatal appointment, I demonstrated very high blood pressure readings. No prior appointment, history or symptoms had pointed towards me having any issues. After being admitted to Labor & Delivery, I was given medication to lower my blood pressure. Once mine started to come down, our baby girl's heart rate also started to dip to dangerous levels. At only 26 weeks and 3 days, Shea Elizabeth Mattern was born at 8:59 p.m. through an emergency C-section and Kaiser in Vacaville and immediately transported to UC Davis Children's Medical Hospital in Sacramento.  She was 10.5 inches long and weighed 440 grams (under 1 lbs.). This was extremely small for her age due to the unidentified pre-eclampsia.


From there, Shea was fighting and doing well, in what they call the "honeymoon period." But on Saturday, November 15th, Shea suffered three seizures and a stroke in the middle of the night causing brain hemorrhaging. During the struggle to stop the bleeding, the doctors discovered she also suffered from a blood clotting deficiency. The deficiency was identified a few days after her seizures and they were able to start her on treatment. However, damage to her cerebellum had already occurred. Her future prognosis was considered high-risk for mobility disabilities...but she could still overcome many odds. 


Shea continued to fight through other obstacles including under developed lungs; as many micro preemies do. She went back and forth between different breathing machines to help her breathe. She was thriving and I was able to help care for her and even hold her (The single most greatest day our lives). 

However, a preemie's struggle is a roller-coaster ride. And on Saturday, November 29th, Shea's health took a turn for the worse with necrosis of the gut--a common and dangerous diagnosis in many preemies. This complication affected her so greatly that her brain began to hemorrhage even further. But the blood clot treatment wasn't strong enough in her system and the antibiotics were not enough to help her fight the necrosis.  Surgery quickly became an ineligible option. Her symptoms were only increasing and all medications maxed out. After two days of complications, at 6:30 p.m. on 11/30/14, Shea passed away peacefully in our arms.

Sean and I feel like we did absolutely everything we could to save her while also allowing her to go peacefully without pain. 


Shea changed us in ways we don't even know yet. Or ever will. But she touched a lot of lives. We feel honored to have had the time with her that we did to pour as much love into our precious angel as we could. And she knew it. She fought hard. Every day. So much spunk and fire. She is our hero. I hope to someday have half of her determination. We will always remember our scrappy Shea.