Support for the Chase Family After Their Loss

At about 10:30 PM on January 16, we welcomed Joshua Lazarus Chase to our family. But tragically, Joshua never drew breath.

We were excited to welcome our fourth child, but our first boy, to the family. After three miscarriages (including one in the second trimester) led us to do IVF in order to avoid a specific issue that caused those miscarriages, we were excited that everything had seemingly gone according to plan, and we were excitedly awaiting our fourth addition to the family. Based on the ultrasounds, Joshua seemed like a healthy, active baby, and our doctors assured us we had passed the period of danger.

Until yesterday. Around mid-morning, my wife called me to tell me she was rushing to the hospital because she was bleeding significantly. At only 20 weeks along, we feared the worst. After I met my wife at the hospital, a doctor confirmed to us via ultrasound what we dreaded: during the previous day or so, our little one had passed away.

At 20 weeks, however, the baby was big enough that my wife still needed to deliver. We spent the rest of the day waiting while doctors provided medications to induce labor. Around 10:30 PM, my wife delivered our sweet, lifeless little bundle. We chose to name him Joshua, which means "God is salvation," and the middle name, Lazarus, because he came to us already asleep. Indeed, "our friend Lazarus sleepeth," but we trust that someday, the Lord "may awake him out of sleep," John 11:11, and we may be reunited with him. For Jesus Christ is our salvation, "the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in [him], though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25.

Unfortunately, the story didn't end there. My wife began to seriously hemorrhage post-delivery, lost consciousness due to blood loss, and was rushed for an emergency operation to stop the bleeding. I'm happy to report that the operation was a success.

Today, we were able to cherish sacred moments with Joshua. Because of the intimate and sacred nature of that experience, we've chosen to refrain from sharing pictures directly showing him. This afternoon, a funeral director arrived at the hospital and carried away our little boy to prepare for burial.

Unfortunately, in the aftermath of all that's happened, we anticipate significant medical bills between IVF, the delivery, the post-delivery operation, and additional expenses because of the funeral. We have already been so touched by the outpouring of love and support, and we would greatly appreciate any donation in memory of our sweet Joshua Lazarus Chase.