Dovi-Warren Twins

On April 6, 2018, I became a grandmother of identical twin boys, Kaden and Lucas.  As identical twins, they shared a sac inside the womb which meant they had to share nutrients as well.  Initially Lucas struggled with regulating his blood sugar and body temperature because he had less fat/nutrient stores than Kaden; but after a week and a half, they were both home, healthy, and thriving.  For the next 5 weeks, both boys were doing great adjusting to life and their momma, Lexi, and my son, Michael, were both thrilled to be parents. 

On the morning of May 23rd, Lexi woke up to find Kaden had stopped breathing.  The paramedics worked on him en route to the hospital where the hospital staff took over.  Unfortunately, in all their efforts, they were unable to save him.  At the time, Michael was back in Colorado wrapping up some things and Lexi was at home in Florida.  Those early hours of comforting my son and Lexi (from a distance) is something that will be etched in my memory forever.  There are few things I can imagine to be as heart wrenching as watching your child lose their child.  We were able to get Michael on a plane back to Florida within hours, so he could be with Lexi through this difficult time.  

The following day while exhausted emotionally and physically, they made the journey to the funeral home where they had to pick out an urn for baby Kaden's ashes and plan for his services.  Still unsure of what caused baby Kaden to stop breathing (autopsy ruled out trauma, suffocation, & hemorrhaging), they were now living in fear of not constantly observing baby Lucas.  Their time was spent taking turns watching him, holding him, feeding him, too worried to leave him sleeping alone even for a moment.  

On Friday, May 26, they took baby Lucas to the pediatrician for some additional testing as a precaution for possible heart concerns.  The pediatrician detected a heart murmur, sent them to cardiologist, who found that Lucas has a rare congenital heart condition called Pulmonary Artery Sling.  This is when "the left pulmonary artery originates from the right pulmonary artery and encircles the right main-stem bronchus and distal trachea before entering the hilum of the left lung."  This condition is typically fatal if not repaired with surgery.  

They were sent to a hospital immediately in Tampa, FL. about 2 hours away from Lexi's parent's home, where baby Lucas will be monitored until the surgery can be scheduled and performed.  Both Michael and Lexi are staying at the hospital with him until he is through the surgery and stable.  

Unfortunately, there are always expenses attached to these sad events.  At this point I have put many of their expenses on my credit card (including airfare around $1,000) and Lexi's family is helping as much as they can as well (cremation/urn expenses).  While I do not typically like to ask for help, I do believe that there are times in our lives when it is okay to allow your community to surround you with prayer, love, and financial support. 

Michael and Lexi are specifically asking for prayers for Lucas through this surgery and are struggling with how to endure their son getting his heart cut into right after losing their other son.  Trying to balance the mourning of one child while being strong for the other.  Trying desperately to still have faith and trust in a God who unexpectedly allowed their other son to die.  So many mixed emotions and heart ache. They are young (17 and 19 years old) and trying to navigate this all as best they can.  

As a mother and grandmother in this, I struggle with not being able to prevent them from having to go through this.  We can't always protect our children from the harshness of this world.  There are no words I can say and very little that I can offer besides love, prayer, and support.  However, the one thing I am hoping will make this journey slightly easier to endure for them is not having to worry about being financially in debt when it is over.  To be able to purchase a $600 urn (this is what they cost) for their son's ashes without worrying about where the money will come from.  Or to not go longer periods without eating while at the hospital because they don't have the extra cash.  To have gas money to drive home and shower for a day or take turns going home to do laundry.   For Michael to be able to fly home and return quickly to take care of prior court issues.  Loss of wages from not being able to work.  There are so many little costs involved and we are all grateful for any support we receive whether in prayer, thoughts, or finances.  

Thank you....