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I could use some hope - Page 2

post #51 of 190
5/5/08 at 12:48pm
Hey, I like your new avatar and screen name! How's Anakin doing?
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post #52 of 190
5/5/08 at 1:01pm
Here's more hope and well wishes to your family. Cute little guy, just keep him away from ambitious Senators.
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post #53 of 190
5/5/08 at 5:01pm
Congratulations, Travis!
You're channelling good folks here, and I'm sure that karma goes both ways.

Anakin's a cutie!
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post #54 of 190
5/6/08 at 11:05pm
Hope I'm not too late bringing some more hope. Congratulations and good luck. Hope everything works out.
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post #55 of 190
5/19/08 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
First off, Mary, Anakin, and I want to thank everybody for your kindness, support, hope, and love. We appreciate everything.

We got the genetic tests results back today. Anakin has thanatophoric dysplasia—the diagnosis we’ve been dreading, a 0% survival rate. Although his status has not changed on the ventilator, we know it will. Children with thanatophoric dysplasia develop many problems that add to their suffering and decrease their quality of life. Being ventilator-dependent is not the only medical complication that Anakin is facing.

With all of this in mind, we are trying to decide what is best for him. We know that the longer he is in the NICU and on the vent, the more likely he is to suffer. Most of all, we do not want him to suffer. We think that what is best for him is for him to come home. We want him to know a place that has so much love for him and someplace other than the hospital. If he’s going to pass away, we want him to pass away here at home with us.

In order to do this, he will be taken off the ventilator. We may only have minutes with him or we may have a few days. The longer we wait, the more likely it will be that he won’t have the strength to come home at all. This is the most impossible decision to make. So, sometime in the next two weeks, we’ll bring our little boy home, if only for a second.

Again, we appreciate all the prayers, wishes, thoughts, vibes, etc. We’ve had much more time with him than most parents of children with thanatophoric dysplasia get. We are thankful for every second. At least we’ll have many memories to hold onto.

No one should have to bury their child. There are not enough tears.
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post #56 of 190
5/19/08 at 5:32pm
Can't even begin to imagine what you're going through. Stay strong, brother.... wishing the best for you and your family.
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post #57 of 190
5/19/08 at 5:32pm
I'm so, so sorry to hear that. My heart goes out to you, Mary and Anakin.
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post #58 of 190
5/19/08 at 5:34pm
No, they shouldn't, Travis. Enjoy every moment you get with your little boy, and he'll know his parents love him with all their heart.

Lean on your friends and family as you need to, and spoil Anakin as long as you can. You'll always be a family, and we'll be thinking about you.
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post #59 of 190
5/19/08 at 5:36pm
That's heartbreaking news, I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this. Hope you're able to cherish these moments with Anakin.
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post #60 of 190
5/19/08 at 5:37pm
I honestly think that the approach you are taking is the best way to deal with this. If he's going to pass away, let him do it in his own terms and at home.

You seem like a strong man. You'll make it. There is life after this. And i know it may seem impossible to think that way now, in the long run, Anakin's strength will bring your family closer in ways you never thought imaginable.

Stay strong for you and your wife. And especially for Anakin.
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post #61 of 190
5/19/08 at 5:39pm
Travis, something I forgot to add is that you, Mary, and Anakin are not alone in such an ordeal. There are other families dealing with this, and maybe you can find a strong support group. You are doing something exceptionally hard and exceptionally brave and exceptionally selfless. So meet up with other equally amazing parents, and share their strength.
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post #62 of 190
5/19/08 at 5:47pm
Travis, these are heartbreaking news.

But the two of you are making such a strong, humane and admirable decision. Enjoy all the precious seconds you three will have together. And even if the pain will seem unbearable, you know he will always be in your hearts and minds.

There will be a light at the end of this numbing darkness, even though you can´t see it now. Even everything seems hopeless now you two will find happiness and decency in life again.

I admire your strength and selflessness. And your wifes as well. And Anakins for sure. Bless all three of you.
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post #63 of 190
5/19/08 at 6:01pm
My deepest deepest condolences to you and your wife.
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post #64 of 190
5/19/08 at 6:03pm
The very best of wishes for you.
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post #65 of 190
5/19/08 at 6:18pm
More power to you, brother.
I'm rooting for you and yours.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Enjoy Anakin and your time together.

Peace.
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post #66 of 190
5/19/08 at 6:55pm
My condolences sir, to you and your family. Anakin is blessed to have a dad with your strength and courage.
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post #67 of 190
5/19/08 at 7:22pm
Sorry to hear the bad news, Travis. Hang in there.
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post #68 of 190
5/19/08 at 8:49pm
Deepest sympathies, Travis. My prayers are with you, your mrs. and Anakin. Stay strong, bro.
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post #69 of 190
5/19/08 at 8:50pm
Oh, Travis... I'm so unbelievably sorry. I think you and Mary are doing absolutely the right thing for Anakin and for yourselves. There's no easy way, no easy decision, but the choice you made seems the most bearable. All of my thoughts and condolences go out to you and your family. Please know that you have friends here, and that we're here if you need us.
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post #70 of 190
5/19/08 at 9:06pm
I admire and respect your choice to bring him home. My best to you and your family.
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post #71 of 190
5/19/08 at 9:48pm
That's just a decision no one should ever have to make. But far better for him to know a few moments of unfettered love than to know days or months of machines and tubes. You and your wife be strong and love him as much as you can while you can. We're all with you.
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post #72 of 190
5/19/08 at 9:49pm
MikeShayne, cut it the fuck out.
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post #73 of 190
5/19/08 at 10:52pm
As a dad, my heart aches for you, dude. More good thoughts and prayers your way.
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post #74 of 190
5/19/08 at 11:06pm
I'm sorry, Travis.
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post #75 of 190
5/19/08 at 11:36pm
My thoughts are with your family.
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post #76 of 190
5/19/08 at 11:59pm
Travis, I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. Please keep in contact with us. I'm so sad about this. I know you are doing what's best for him.
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post #77 of 190
5/20/08 at 12:13am
Travis, I can truly say I'm sorry for what you guys are going through. I will pray for you and yours tonight. May God bless you, Mary and especially Anakin.
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post #78 of 190
5/20/08 at 12:27am
Persevere, sir.
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post #79 of 190
5/20/08 at 12:31am
Best of luck.
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post #80 of 190
5/20/08 at 12:51am
I'm so sorry, sir. For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing.
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post #81 of 190
5/20/08 at 2:56am
Sorry to hear about this, Travis, and best of luck to yourself and Mary.
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post #82 of 190
5/20/08 at 3:34am
Heartbreaking situation to be in, Travis, my thoughts are with you and your's.
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post #83 of 190
5/20/08 at 3:40am
Deeply saddening. So sorry for all that you're going through. Can't imagine. I wish you all my best. Stay strong.
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post #84 of 190
5/20/08 at 9:22am
Oh fuck. As my son is now nearing 6 weeks old, I can slightly imagine what Travis is going through, but I honestly can't believe how strong he seems in the face of all this madness. He's made of better stuff than I am.

I'll have you and your family in my thoughts.
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post #85 of 190
5/20/08 at 10:07am
I know it's been said before, but I'm really sorry man. I frankly don't know what to say, other than hang in there(easier said than done, I know).
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post #86 of 190
5/20/08 at 10:17am
My heart goes out to you, man. I can't imagine what you must be going through. I wish you all the best.
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post #87 of 190
5/20/08 at 10:51am
Sending an eternity of well wishes and prayers you and your family's way. No matter what happens, please don't give up hope.
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post #88 of 190
5/20/08 at 11:54am
I can't imagine having to make the decisions that you're being forced to make. But think about this: in Anakin's short time on this Earth, he has been given more love and care than some children receive during the entirety of their life.

My thoughts, prayers and admiration continue to go out to you and your family.
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post #89 of 190
5/20/08 at 3:01pm
You owe it to yourself and Anakin to be strong. That's a beautiful kid and you're doing the right thing.

I'm so sorry, Travis. You're going through the worst thing a parent can go through, but know that there are parents who go through this and survive, though not without scars.

Like people here are saying, you're giving Anakin more love than many people get in a life time.
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post #90 of 190
5/20/08 at 3:12pm
My deepest condolences. I cannot even imgagine what you're going through, but just the same, stay strong and give him as much love as you can in the time you have.
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post #91 of 190
5/20/08 at 3:20pm
My thoughts and condolences. I very much hope that life balances itself with great happiness in your future.
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post #92 of 190
5/21/08 at 11:43pm
My condolences as well, Travis. Hope you and your family stay strong.
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post #93 of 190
5/22/08 at 1:15am
Every child should have such loving parents.
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post #94 of 190
5/22/08 at 4:59pm
My heart goes out to you and your family. I've just seen this thread now, and I'm sitting here trying to keep myself together, all the while marveling at how strong you are in such a difficult time. Best wishes to all of you.
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post #95 of 190
5/22/08 at 6:29pm
Really sorry to hear about that. You and your family have my condolences.
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post #96 of 190
5/22/08 at 6:51pm
So, so sorry to hear. And I know it sounds trivial, but reading about the decision by you and your wife just shows how loving, strong and fantastic the two of you are as parents. Anakin, like all of us here, is damn proud of you both.
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post #97 of 190
5/22/08 at 7:02pm
My most heartfelt condolences to you and yours. I'm not sure if anyone has brought this up to you in person at this point, however, most hospitals do have bereavement support groups. They can be surprisingly helpful to attend. Your institution's chaplain and/or social workers can easily give you the necessary info and put you and yours in touch with other related services and resources as well.
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post #98 of 190
5/23/08 at 2:13pm
Your family is in our thoughts. I'm so sorry you have to go through something like this.
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post #99 of 190
5/25/08 at 1:02pm
You guys are in our thoughts.
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post #100 of 190
5/25/08 at 1:26pm
Be strong and do your best--nobody could ask any more.

We're keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
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