Funeral expenses for Baby Serenity

Sweet little Serenity Flatland passed to be with her Savior on July 9, 2018, at 4:40 a.m., at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. She was 11 months old.

Serenity Storm Flatland was born July 19, 2017, to mother Kelsee Flatland. Serenity was born three months early and weighed 1 pound 9 ounces at birth. The doctors knew before she was born that Serenity would have many health challenges. She was born with esophageal atresia, a birth defect where the esophagus doesn’t connect with the stomach as it should. The doctors also found that Serenity had a rectovesical fistula, another birth defect where the colon and the bladder are abnormally joined. From the day she was born until the day she passed, little Serenity spent her entire earthly life at the hospital. While her family lived in Idaho Falls, Serenity was cared for at a pediatric hospital in Salt Lake City. Her mother and stepdad would make the six-hour round trip twice a week to see her in the hospital.

Serenity had surgery on Tuesday, July 3 to connect her esophagus to her stomach using a piece of her intestine. It was supposed to be a 10-hour surgery but miraculously only took five. Afterward she struggled with recovery, which wasn’t unexpected, but her condition quickly declined. The doctors later determined that she had a rare gastrointestinal bacteria in the pouch of her esophagus, which moved into her lungs and then to her bloodstream. On Sunday, July 8, she took a turn for the worse when her lungs collapsed. She was put on a ventilator and subsequently went into a coma because her carbon dioxide levels were so high. Her little lungs just couldn’t keep up with the demand, and at 4:40 a.m. on Monday, July 9, she passed from this world, surrounded by her family.

Little Serenity was so loved by her family and everyone who knew her. Despite her health challenges, Serenity was always such a happy baby who loved to be snuggled and having her head rubbed. She loved being read to, sitting up, and swinging in her swing. She brought joy to everyone around her with her sweet, strong fighting spirit.

Serenity leaves behind her mother Kelsee Flatland, stepdad David Allison, and four-year-old brother Paul. To quote Kelsee, Serenity’s mom, “It was all so sudden and way too fast. For once I’m going to admit that I am not okay. I know she’s perfect and it was her time, but I’m selfish and I was not expecting or ready for her to go. I’m grateful for the plan of salvation, I just hate having to deal with the hardships of life. I’m not angry at God, however. He gave me this precious baby when I needed her most.”

Donations are requested to help pay for the considerable medical bills and funeral costs. Any donation regardless how small is so appreciated. Even a card of condolences means a lot to the family. Cards can be mailed to: Kelsee Flatland, 694 Pamela Place, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.

We love you, sweet baby girl. We’re happy that you are finally free of your tubes and lines and can breathe on your own. We know we will see you again – until then, we love and miss you so very much. Please Lord, keep her and watch over her until that blessed day.