Eden Camile Swenson,
only ten days old, passed away last night,
January 7, 2010 around 5:40 p.m.
in her mother's arms at St. Luke's NICU.
Little Eden had been struggling to breathe since early Sunday morning. The NICU staff did their best to try all medications, steroids, and breathing machines to help regulate her oxygen levels. Being so little, the small amount of alveoli of her fragile lungs were injured from the oxygen machines. She was having difficulty getting oxygen to the rest of her body consistently and healing her lungs. The last two days she was getting more ill and last night her little heart just couldn't take it anymore. The NICU staff brought her back but she couldn't hold on. Jeremy and Rachel were present during the whole time. When her heart was giving way the second time, they were able to say good bye and hold her. Rachel was able to hold her for the first and last time. The NICU staff was very wonderful to give the amount of time and privacy and care for Eden and her parents during her passing.
Eden is loved greatly by her family and she will be missed until they meet again. She was such a strong spirit and everyone she touched felt it. Many of her NICU nurses commented on this. Jeremy, Rachel, the NICU staff, and Eden all did their best to prolong her life, but ultimately she is needed at this moment with her Heavenly Father.
Funeral services are still being decided upon.
Thanks for sharing that very tender and personal moment. I can only imagine what your family must be feeling right now. Know that we love you and think of you often. God bless you and keep you during this difficult time. We love you!
ReplyDeleteRach-I know I don't have the words to make you feel better. Just know that you all have been in my heart and in my prayers. Treasure those precious photographs forever and let me know if I can do anything for you. Anything!
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing family - Eden has touched all our lives for good. God bless you and send you all that you need during this difficult time. Heidi
ReplyDeleteWow, as I write this I am crying and I don't even know you guys! I called my husband last night when I found out. He was just as sad as me! I am glad you were able to have a week with her! You are very strong people. I hope the Lord blesses your family abundantly!
ReplyDeleteRach and Jeremy, I am so so sorry. My heart is broken for you. I am sobbing. I wish there were something I could do or say to help take the pain away. I pray for you guys and wish peace and comfort for you. I love you guys.
ReplyDeleteYou can see a tear drop on the tip of Jeremy's nose as he's holding and saying goodbye to his precious daughter. Our hearts are hurting with baby Eden's loss. How are Noah and Paige coping? We love you guys so much.
ReplyDeleteLove, Richard and Lena
I am so very sorry for your loss! She must have a purpose with our Heavenly Father! Our prayers are with you :)
ReplyDeleteI have been following your posts about sweet little baby Eden- Cheering her on and praying for her. I don't know your sweet little family but I am thinking of you during this trying time. May Heavenly Father bring peace to your hearts knowing that families can be together forever.
ReplyDeleteRachel and Jeremy, we are so sorry to hear about baby Eden. She touched so many during her short time here on earth. Her spirit will continue and she will be there on the other side waiting for your family. We pray that your family will be comforted at this time. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
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ReplyDeleteThe other commenters are so much more eloquent than I am....I keep saying 'amen' to each of their comments. Thank you for sharing this part of your journey. Bless you with love, faith, comfort and strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteAlyce and Bill Lewis
There are no mortal words to ease the sorrow in your hearts. Eden was a beautiful gift from God and is now perfect and whole. Sweey angel baby Eden. Our hearts ache for your family.
ReplyDeleteBaby Eden, you certainly must have been a choice spirt to only need 10 days on this earth. Oh how blessed you are!! Heavenly Father must have a lot for you to do to prepare for the rest of us! What a special family to help you on your short journey. Till we meet again! Tom & Becky Clifford, Appleton, WI
ReplyDeleteI'm crying for you. And, I'm picturing that Baby Eden is literally in the arms of angels, breathing serenely, and anxiously waiting for her amazing parents to hold her again.
ReplyDeleteI only discovered your blog last night and am so, so sorry to read today's entry. My heart is broken for your family. May Eden be at peace.
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry to hear of Eden's passing. Our family has been and continues thinking and praying for you. We wish you peace and comfort during this trying time.
ReplyDeleteThe spiritual depth that you have displayed during this very hard trial of your faith has been wonderful to see. We pray for the Lords loving arms to be around you and hold you up. He knows and loves your little Eden, as He knows and loves you. We pray for your comfort.
ReplyDeleteLee and Karen Adams
I've also cried with you today. My heart aches for your family. Baby Eden must have been a little too perfect for this world. It's wonderful to know she will be a part of your family forever. Knowing she is waiting for you will help you keep an eternal perspective throughout your lives. (This is one gift I received after losing my dad.) We continue to pray for you and we love you. - Kristine and Adam
ReplyDeleteRachel and Jeremy, we love you guys so much. You have always been great examples of strength, courage, and love for life and the people around you, and we appreciate all you have done for us and all you have taught us. Eden's short time here taught us much. Thanks for sharing it with us. Eden is a beautiful, strong spirit, and we know that there are many happy times ahead for both of you and for Noah and Paige with Eden. Right now, we just wish we were there to hug you and help you through the sad ones as well. We continue to pray for you that understanding and comfort will come to you when you need it. Please know you are very loved by our family.
ReplyDeleteChad and Shelley
Eden came to an amazing family to be loved if it only for a few weeks. She chose you, Rachel and Jeremy to be her eternal parents. You will have this dear precious little girl to be with you for eternality. She will be there watching over you, giving you the support you need in difficult times. I know the pain you are feeling now is so difficult for you. I am so sorry. But you have the chance to bring in a very special chosen spirit of our Heavenly Father and this lets us all know what wonderful people you are. May God bless you and keep you close.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. Thank you for this blog, for sharing Eden with us. We love you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for all that you are going through right now-my heart aches for you. Hopefully you will feel the peace and love that abounds when the veil is so thin. Our prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry for the passing of your sweet Eden. We will keep your family in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteRachel - I am so sorry to hear of Baby Eden's passing. Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteRachel and Jeremy- My thoughts and prayers are with you. I can't imagine what feelings you must be experiencing, but I'm so grateful to know the Holy Ghost is real and is there to comfort you. What a special privilege to have had this time with little Eden and to know you'll be with her again. Thank you for sharing this experience with all of us through your blog. You are amazing examples to me. -Meighan Stewart
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers sent to your family! As time passes it will feel wonderful to know Eden's spirit is still part of your family. You will feel her presence and rejoice in her comfort throughout your lives.
ReplyDeleteWishing you peace and healing. Rest in peace, sweet little Eden.
ReplyDeleteOh, my heart is aching for you guys! You have been an amazing example of strength to us, thank you for sharing this very personal time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Goodbye, sweet baby Eden. -Janel Hafen
ReplyDeleteI'm so so sorry. I pray that you may be filled with God's comfort through this tough time. I know that God received this child in His arm. She is finally safe and will wait for you in the Lord's presence. May His healing and peace be upon you. From Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, I'll be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteJeremy and Rachel our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Your faith and strength has been remarkable and will continue to carry you through. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your sweet baby Eden with us. -Marnie Kiehl
ReplyDeleteMy dear sweet friend, such heartache you must be feeling. My thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family. Eden will be missed, how lucky she is to have such a wonderful strong mother who will do everything she can to be reunited with her again. We love you.
ReplyDeleteHolmes Family