Little Gwennie

[craigster59]

I had held off posting here because the wounds are still fresh. But I did post over in the Politic/Religion forum in a thread about religion and atheism due to a change in outlook and perception after this event. So I will leave it at that.

Little Gwennie was a "Covid Baby" born just before the lockdown. She was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy a few weeks after birth which was something we as a family accepted and were prepared to deal with. She was put on medication that seemed to help but it also compromised her immunity, so we all practiced Covid prevention and avoided large gatherings before going to visit.

She was doing well and acted as a normal baby but as I said to my Wife "She's a little slow getting out of the batter's box". She didn't walk as quickly as most babies and her pronunciation of words wasn't quite on target.

But she progressed and was soon walking and talking. My Son's healthcare plan changed and he was assigned a new set of Doctors who ran some genetic tests and it came out that she had Non Classic Infantile Pompe Disease.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15808-pompe-disease

They came up with a treatment plan and she was all set to have a cardiac catheter placed that would allow her to have enzyme replacement therapy twice monthly. My Wife and I were going to fly into Phoenix last Thursday to watch our other 2 Granddaughters 14 and 8 years old while the catheter procedure was done in Tucson.

My Son is a Cyber Security Wizard and had to fly to New Jersey to help FBI and US Marshalls with a Ransomware problem but he was going to make it home in plenty of time for Gwennie's procedure.

He flew in early Saturday morning and laid down with her to comfort her and noticed she was warm and feverish with some breathing difficulty. They took her to the ER where they then transferred her to Phoenix Childrens Hospital. She was admitted to the PICU and diagnosed with Human Metapneumovirus, a respiratory virus
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22443-human-metapneumovirus-hmpv

They eventually intubated her and started percussive treatment to loosen the mucus in her lungs. Things were going well and Monday my Son went home to shower and change clothes before he would return to the PICU.

Well, he took a test for Covid and came up positive. Must have gotten it on his trip to NJ, he was of course no longer allowed to se his little girl for 5 days.

My Wife and I of course rushed out there to deal with things and unfortunately the virus was too much for Gwennie's little heart and she coded and passed away Wednesday the 15th. We were all devastated, especially my Son who couldn't be there when she crossed over, since Gwennie was "Daddy's Little Girl".

The solace that I have taken and eventually the rest of the family is that Pompe Disease is always fatal. Gwennie would have eventually been in a wheelchair, then ventilator, possible heart transplant and eventually death at a young age.

As it was, she enjoyed three years of laughter, joy, fresh strawberries, pizza, Panda Express Orange Chicken and watching Sponge Bob Squarepants.

Love those close to you and tell them how you feel every day. RIP Little One.

[Alan A]

Tragic. There’s nothing one can say to make it better, but sorry for your loss.

[KFC911]

That's just heartbreaking to read. What a beautiful child .... life just isn't fair .

RIP Little Gwennie...

Condolences to you and your family....

[Bill Douglas]

How very sad. Sorry for your loss.

[island911]

Originally Posted by KC911

That's just heartbreaking to read. What a beautiful child .... life just isn't fair .

RIP Little Gwennie...

Condolences to you and your family....

yep.

gulp.

[herr_oberst]

Beautifully written and absolutely devastating to read.

Thank you for sharing pictures of her wonderful smile.

My very best to you and your family, Craigster.

[gacook]

Already said my piece over in PARF, Craig...but thanks for sharing. My thoughts are with your family and I hope everyone heals from this pain.

[LWJ]

I have nothing to say that will give comfort. Loss of a child / grandchild just isn't right.

Of my three children, when my daughter was little, she was, as you said, "Daddie's little girl."

I don't know if I would have survived her loss.

Please encourage all to get grief counseling. This is a rough one. I am tearing up as I type. This hurts and I didn't even know her. Thank you for the beautiful pictures. They are precious.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

She looked like her eyes and smile would light up a room, and everyone in it.

I'm so sorry for your loss Craig.

And what LWJ said lastly.

[Steve Carlton]

So sorry to hear this, Craig. My best wishes go to you and your family.

[masraum]

My deepest condolences to you and Gwennie's family and friends and any other life that she touched. There are no words that are adequate in a situation like this.

[pwd72s]

No words...

[Skytrooper]

I feel terrible for your families loss of such a precious little girl. Please accept my deepest, most sincere condolences. Rest In Peace little Gwennie

[HobieMarty]

I am so sorry for your loss and send my condolences to you and your family. No one should ever have to go through the loss of a child but take solace in knowing that she is not suffering anymore.
Rest In Peace Miss Gwennie

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[upsscott]

There is nothing to say other than Little Gwennie was surrounded by love in her short life. I’m so sorry for your families loss. So devastating.

[Reg]

Sending my condolences.

[oldE]

I can only hope for you that the ache in your hearts will be tempered by the sweet memories of that amazing little girl who briefly brought so much light into your lives.

Best
Les

[flatbutt]

This ain't right. I'm so sorry that your family has been struck by such a loss. My heart aches for you.

I carry your heart with me(i carry it in
My heart)i am never without it(anywhere
I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
By only me is your doing, my darling)
I fear
No fate(for you are my fate, my sweet)i want
No world(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
And it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
And whatever a sun will always sing is you

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
And the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
Higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
And this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

[rfuerst911sc]

So sorry to hear this . RIP little one .

[dewolf]

My family and I are truly sorry for you, and your families loss.