The Hardest Year
When Dana’s two-year-old daughter Avery grew sick, doctor after doctor said her daughter just had a simple virus or a cold. They dismissed her because Avery had a genetic developmental disability, and they blamed her sickness on that. Finally, after advocating at the hospital and refusing discharge, Avery finally received a CAT scan. To everyone's devastation, they discovered a mass in her brain. Avery immediately got rushed to a different hospital to begin a day-long surgery to save her life.
Due to her genetic disorder, Avery wasn’t able to withstand all the chemo that she needed to save her life. Dana recalls the terrible gut wrench as the doctor told her that her daughter was dying.
Avery’s Footprint
Dana remembers Avery as being one of the strongest, most joyful children. As an infant, Avery was always smiling and happy, a very easy-going child. She made an “incredible impact” on everyone surrounding her.
She recently took her other son into the ER for a fever, and a nurse, six years later, actually remembered her and Avery. Dana also includes that in Avery’s honor, she donates to the Ronald Mcdonald House frequently, as that is where she stayed while Avery was getting treatment.
Life After
After Avery passed, Dana and her husband decided to have more children. During her next pregnancy, she held her breath at every doctor’s appointment, waiting for the ball to drop. Up until her new daughter, Eva turned two years old, she remained cautious.
Eva feels connected to Avery despite never having met her. In fact, Eva is currently experiencing tremendous loss with the knowledge that she will never get to meet her older sister. It’s a topic the family discusses often in hopes to provide comfort for all.
Dana and her husband, Mike, actually tell their youngest children that Avery hand-picked them to be part of their family, something that gives you both chills and tears.
Faith to Survive
There was a certain faith that Dana found in this situation. She has to believe that there is a bigger picture, a reason larger than herself, that her god wanted her daughter back so young. “I have to believe that, or else I wouldn’t be able to go on.
Accepting the unacceptable was one of the hardest things Dana had to do. Coming to terms with losing her daughter so young was difficult beyond belief, but everyday Dana learns how to cope and share Avery’s story.
