Support the Marshalls in Honoring Baby Montana

Hi, We are the Marshalls. My name is Connie. Our family consists of myself, my husband Brandon, and our 5 children, Kaysin, Kannin, Allister, Antigoné, and Madden. We are currently expecting our last baby boy, Montana Cole. Those that know us know how extremely hard and sick I was with Madden. My pregnancy with him was full of complications that resulted in him being born 8 wks early. I was then diagnosed with Congestive heart failure with an ejection fraction of 35%. Brandon and I had decided on no more children as my body and heart just couldn’t handle another pregnancy. Well God had other plans for us……. We found out in October 2024 we were expecting! While we were scared and worried about my health we carried on with the pregnancy. I have been very closely monitored by my OB, Cardiologist, and Maternal fetal medicine doctor. Everything seemed to be going pretty smooth, aside from the awful morning sickness. In January of this year, I was having horrible abdominal pain that no one could pinpoint the source of the pain, even after extensive testing. I then spiked a fever while hospitalized so more tests were done including a spinal tap. The results from the spinal tap came back positive for Mono, Meningitis, and rhinovirus. I was treated right away however I was only about 15 wks along in my pregnancy and the damage was done. At an anatomy scan of our baby at 23 wks there were some abnormalities noticed on the ultrasound to which we were sent to Texas Children’s Hospital in Austin, TX for more extensive testing on Montana. In Texas, we met with several doctors including a Maternal fetal medicine doctor, genetics specialist, and a neurologist. We were then told that none of what they thought was wrong is wrong. Montana will never lead a normal life. His brain basically quit developing around 14-16 wks. He will never breathe on his own because his brain lacks the part that tells him to breathe. We have the option to basically keep him living via life support. He will never walk or probably move as his muscles will atrophy. He will have cerebral palsy. Intellectually he will never progress past a newborn. He’s already having seizures in my belly. Labor could kill him or myself depending on which way it happens. He may not even make it to birth. There is a chance that he could pass in my belly. Brandon and I have made the decision to let him pass naturally after birth because anything else will cause him to suffer daily for however long God would allow us to have him with us and that’s just not fair to him. The goal as of right now is to stay pregnant as long as my body allows. I am currently 31 wks pregnant today and needing to make it to 37 for both mine and Montana’s benefit.

We have decided to use Floral Haven to cremate Montana and his service when the time comes. Floral Haven is doing the cremation at no cost but the service we will have to pay for. We are asking for help to cover the cost of his service and urn. This is obviously not how we were prepared to bring Montana in the world and start life with him. Anything would help. Thank you from our family.