Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Yesterday

I hope very much that word-of-mouth has gotten the news out enough already so this at least won't come as a shock to those closest and dearest to us. Yesterday, at about 5pm we lost our Evie after she was removed from ECMO. We discussed the decision to take her off of the machine with her surgeons, and it was their assessment that her heart had recovered as much as it could on ECMO, and she needed to show us if she could make it without. We consented to removing her from the machine, and it was very quickly apparent that her heart couldn't keep up. We were told she did not have much time left, and we went to her bedside and I was able to hold her until she died. She was in no pain, as she was fully sedated.

This is the hardest time of our lives, and we appreciate all the support we have been receiving. We will write more after a while, and include details about her memorial service, which we've yet to plan.

66 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Matt and Nicole,
Words are not even able to describe the deepest sypathy I have for you at this time. Please know that I am thinking of you both and will continue to pray for to have strength at this time of need. May our Lord wrap you in His loving arms at this time and comfort you both.
May Almighty God Bless You!
Sarah C.~

Anonymous said...

I love you guys so much. That's all I can really say.

May you find peace.

Love,
Carrie Clausen

Anonymous said...

Dear Matt and Nicole,
All of us from the London room, wish to express our deepest sympathy for your loss. We know your mom well. We will all be sending our prayers your way.

May god bless you both at this sad time.

Anonymous said...

We weep with you, and hold you closely in our hearts and prayers.
Rene' and Andrea

Sarah H. said...

May God's peace surround you.
May his comfort enfold you.
May his love endure you.
May his grace overflow on you.

The Hammersborgs

DreamCatcher said...

I am so sorry to hear of Evie's passing but may you take assurance in knowing that she will forever know how much she is loved. I can not imagine the grief the two of you are feeling but I pray that God gives you strength and courage to continue stepping forward in the days to come.

You are in my thoughts.
Amy

mrsspeech said...

I have no words because I somewhat understand the pai as I lost my premie grandaughter 4 years ago. I pray for Gods arms to be around you. I cry for you. I am so sorry. Lord help this family. Be with them every moment. Help them through this darkest of times. God bless and keep you both.

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,

I dont know you kids, but i play solitaire with Nicole's mom in the London room, and you and Evie have been in my thoughts and prayers everyday and will continue to be. There are no words to say to ease your pain, but just know that so many people, even those you dont know, are thinking of you, and wishing you peace right now.

Anonymous said...

as many have said words are hard to find right now. our heart goes out to you now and i wish we could wrap our arms around you. we love you!

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole I don't even know how to respond to the new of your loss. Words are never enough when someone is experiencing this kind of pain. I am so glad that you got to hold Evie in your arms one last time and that she was close to her mommy's heart. I grieve with you and pray for rest and peace for both of you. My very deepest sympathy. love in Christ, Debi Bender

Anonymous said...

Dear Matt and Nicole
My deepest sympathy goes out to you both! Words cannot ever v=be enough to relieve the pain you are feeling at this time. May the Lord give you comfort and peace. My heart hurts for you and I will continue to pray for you both.

Anonymous said...

We are mourning with you. We love you. Emily and Jordan Whitten

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,

We are weeping with you today, but trusting that God will envelope you with His love in powerful ways in the days to come. You are loved by so many back here in Kent!

Lynn Conver, and for Jeannette, Andrew, Mackenzie, and Johanna

Anonymous said...

Dear Matt and Nicole -- Our hearts are aching for you. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. May our Lord give you strength and peace.
--The Baum family

McCreless said...

Matt and Nicole,
I am so sorry for all that has happened. I echo so many in that I don't know what words to say. I am praying for you both. Love Mindi

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,
We are so very sorry, and we love you.
Steve and Rebecca

Anonymous said...

We grieve for you deeply. We love you and our hearts and prayers are yours.

Lisa said...

Children of the Heavenly Father
Safely in his bosem gather
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
such a refuge e'er was given.

Neither life nor death shall ever
from the Lord his children sever
unto them his grace he showeth
and their sorrows all he knoweth

Though he giveth or he taketh
God his children ne'er forsaketh
his the loving purpose solely
to preserve them pure and holy.

- Lina Sandell

I am praying you through this season.

Lisa Holmlund.

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,

How painstakingly unfair. I am so, so very sorry. You loved your baby girl well--what a gift you were to her.

We continue to hold you close.

jen z.

Paula Pennington said...

Matt and Nicole,
As you know, you are certainly not alone in your sorrow and I pray this gives you comfort. The Lord has brought many people to you for this reason. We are mourning with you.
With tears and love, Paula

Laura said...

Matt and Nicole, we're so very, very sorry for your loss. Please know how God is holding you tight in his arms, and all of us in our hearts, in the coming days.

The LeVigne family

Anonymous said...

My heart goes out to you. Just know that there are many people, even ones who haven't seen you in a while, who are grieving for, and with, you today. I ask for God's peace and comfort.

Anonymous said...

May God bless you both and give you strength. My heart aches for you.

Liam Lockhart said...

MATT AND NICOLE,
I AM SORRY TO HEAR EVIE HAS PASSED AWAY, SHE WAS SO STRONG HOLDING ON AND FIGHTING AND SHE KNEW YOU LOVED HER SO MUCH. WORDS CANNOT HEAL HOW YOU FEEL RIGHT NOW. GOD IS WITH HER AS HE HAS BEEN WITH HER THROUGH HER WHOLE JOURNEY AND SHE IS AT PEACE, I AM GLAD YOU GOT TO HOLD HER AND SAY YOUR GOODBYES
GOD BLESS YOU
SARAH LOCKHART

Puffball50 said...
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Jane said...
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IndyIris said...

We are praying and crying for you all. May God comfort you as only He is able to, and give you strength for each passing moment.

Much love and prayers,
The Pedersons

Jane said...
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Jane said...

Matt and Nicole,

I am so sorry. I wish I could say something that would be a comfort. When it comes to God's ways, I often have more questions than answers.

My family and I will be thinking of yours in the days ahead...

May God bless you in your sorrow,

Jane Deitrich

Benedict Seraphim said...

My family and I will offer our unworthy prayers.

Anonymous said...

to mat and nicole
i am so sorry to hear of your loss and out thoughts have been with you throughout. may u find comfort in each other.

Anonymous said...

Dear Matt & Nicole
There are no words to say that can ease the pain except that God holds you tightly and absolutely will not let you go. You are embraced in prayer and will continue to be in the days to come. Bless you both.

Joy Cavanaugh

Stephen said...

we are praying and weeping with you.

Anonymous said...

Nicole,Matt and family,
All our hearts are breaking with yours, i remember the day your mom told us you were expecting, we heard from her about how you were doing and i watched your blogs daily i feel that i know you so well as your mom speaks highly of you both. May god bless and keep you in his love. And rest assured that Evie is safe in his arms.....

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,
You have my deepest sympathy in your time of grief. I will continue to pray for you. I Peter 5:7 tells us to "cast our cares on Him for He cares for us." I know the Lord will you give a peace that passes all understanding. You are in my prayers.

Melanie Ingland

Anonymous said...

Dear God in Heaven... I am so so sorry. I'm a youth pastor in Alabama... for some reason, through other blogs, I found this one today... my heart is breaking for you. May God's comfort and peace embrace you both now and in the days to come. I am so sorry.

Anonymous said...

My heart is with you all! ( I have two children in heaven, I know what it is like to be missing your child here on this earth). I have kept you all in prayers throughout Evies struggles. Please email me anytime if you need some one to talk to who has been through this. Jesus is rocking baby Evie in his arms and wiping all her tears away. until you meet with them all in heaven. God be with you all and comfort you! Love, Judith

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole- our hearts ache for you! God bless you and keep you and give you His peace. You both have been so courageous and Evie Marie was too!
We will continue to keep your family in our prayers.

Kimberley

Anonymous said...

praying and mourning with you. may God give you strength, courage, peace, and hope.

Kristin Jackson said...

Matt and Nicole,
I am so sorry that you lost your little Evie. It seems so unfair.

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Kristin Jackson

Leigh Ann Drevs said...

our thoughts are with you and your family. Please let me know if there is anything you need. May God be with you.
Leigh Ann

Anonymous said...

Our hearts ache for you.
May the strength and peace of God surround you. Our prayers are with you and your families.

Jon & Megan Lyons , Kent WA

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,

My prayers are with you and both your families. I will keep you all in my prayers at this time of loss. I pray that God will give you all comfort. Love Shar Brown

Unknown said...

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anythings else in all creation, will be able to separate Evie, Matt, and Nicole from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Weeping may last for the night, and it may be a very, very long night, but joy, God's joy, WILL come in the morning.

with love and sorrow,
Rebecca Crow and David Salge

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,

I love you both beyond words. The pain that you feel I am sure is inconceivable. I have never had a child, so the feeling of losing something so precious is not even an emotion I am able to relate to. You have been a constant in my prayer, and will continue to be. I wish that I was able to be there to hug you both. Know that there are angels around you in every form, from those sent from heaven to that wonderful person who will meet your needs. We love you. With all my heart.
Paulina Hazen

Anonymous said...

Dear Matt and Nicole

I am very sorry to hear that Evie has passed away. May God continue to be your strength in these days and weeks ahead. You will be in my prayers.

Joel (from MN)

Chris said...

I'm reading with tears in my eyes. I'm so sorry.
Chris & Amy

Anonymous said...

Our hearts hurt for you. We cannot even begin to understand your pain, but we are praying for you and Evie's grandparents also.

Ken and Nadine McNabb

Anonymous said...

Matt, Nicole, and family
My heart goes out to you and your family in your deepest hour of sorrow and grief. None of us may never know the pain you've endured. Find comfort in knowing that Evie was such a beautiful girl and that she is now with the lord. Nothing anyone can do can help to erase your sadness but may our prayers help to relieve some.
My deepest prayers go out to you both.

Jenn

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,
I just want you to know, You and Evie have forever impacted my life. We have never met, but I will never forget you all. My prayers are with you, may God give you some peace through these dark struggles. I will never forget sweet Evie and her parents that loved her so much. You have taught me so much about love, life, and struggle.

Anonymous said...

Matt & Nicole,
I'm so very, very sorry to hear of Evie's passing. Thank God we know she passed into the arms of Jesus who loves her and you beyond our human understanding. I'm sure right now you don't feel very loved, only pain and grief. We will pray that God enfolds you in his love and that you find comfort, peace and strength in the love of others.
Love,
Cathie & Jerry Gates

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Dear Matt and Nicole,
I got the very sad news yesterday from aunt Judy and Micheal. No words can express to you how I feel about your tremendous loss. All I could think, is she is being well taken care of by the rest of our family in heaven. Now Angela has a baby to look out for. Ilove you both Aunt Carol

Kati And Bruce said...

My heart is with your family. May God be with you and may you find strength. I am so sorry for your loss.

Kati, Bruce, and Seamus Murphy

Kirsten said...

I have cried many tears for you guys today. You continue to be in my prayers.

Kirsten Kronberg

Anonymous said...

Even though we've never met you kids our family has been praying for you constantly, day and night. We will continue to lift you up to our Saviour as you grieve for your Evie.

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,

Our hearts ache and mourn with you at the loss of your beautiful baby girl. We know she has returned to the loving arms of her Maker. May the Lord surround you with His love and peace. We pray He gives you strength in these difficult days to come. You remain in our prayers!

Love,

Brigetta and Bob Bonner

Anonymous said...

DEAR MATT, NICOLE AND GAYLE, I AM VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE. I KNOW SHE MENT ALOT TO YOU ALL AND I WAS HOPING SHE WOULD HAVE HER FIRST CHRISTMAS WITH YOU ALL. I KNOW IT WAS HARD TO MAKE THE CHOICE. BUT AT LEAST SHE IS IN GOD'S HANDS NOW. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT PAULAGROPPER@HOTMAIL.COM OR MY HOME ADDRESS IS PAULA GROPPER 1605 LINCOLN DR EAST AMBLER PA 19002. DON'T BE AFRAID TO WRITE TO ME. MY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY.

Anonymous said...

i'm so thankful that evangeline marie had you for parents while she was here on earth. 'well done good and faithful servants'

Anonymous said...

I'm really sorry to hear about Evie.
(AT)

Marcia said...

I am weeping with you.
In sorrow and tears,
Marcia

Winni said...

Little Evie was prayed for by thousands of people. God answered our prayers, unfortunately, not the way we wanted Him too. But God knows what is best. We will all continue to pray for you and your family to receive the strength needed to see it through your loss. Evie was loved by many people even though we did not know her or even know you. She touched many lives and I know changed many peoples lives.

J Yo said...

Matt and Nicole,

You don't know me, but I was made aware of your situation through my friend Jessica Andrews. I've been praying for you for a few weeks now, and it hurts my heart to hear that you lost your precious baby girl. I will pray for you both as you go through this time and will rejoice with you as we know your baby girl is now in the arms of Jesus.

Take care and may God bless you and keep you,

Jessica Yost

Melissa said...

Praying for you at this time. Peace be to dear Evie's memory.

Sheri said...

I'm grateful that Evie had you as parents for the little time she knew life. You can be assured that she was blessed through you. I cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. You are in our prayers.

Sheri and Adam

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,

We are so sorry...and send our sympathy and tears.

with prayers, eric and meghan