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Aaron didn't make it.

About 3 hours ago, Aaron passed away. After speaking with his doctors earlier in the last few weeks, we decided that if at any point they were no longer supporting Aaron's life, but instead preventing him from dying, that we didn't want him to suffer any longer.

We reached that point this morning. Aaron had been struggling for life from Day One, and after surgery, and several weeks of fighting, Aaron ran out of strength. He fought hard, but the strain of surgery just proved to be too much for him.

I'm sure I'll feel up to posting more information later. I just don't seem to have any energy left in me for relating this at the moment. But I did feel it was important to share this information with all of you who have been keeping tabs on us. Thank you for your concern, your prayers, and your well-wishes during this difficult time.

We love you.

P.S.: I'd like to leave you with the following lyrics that popped into my head while we held Aaron as he passed away. They are from Jimmy Eat World's Hear You Me.

May angels lead you in
Hear you me, my friends
On sleepless roads, the sleepless go
May angels lead you in

[...]

And if you were with me tonight
I'd sing for you just one more time
A song for a heart so big
God wouldn't let it live

Comments

Anonymous said…
I'm so, so sorry. Will be praying for strength for the both of you to make it through this difficult time.
Anonymous said…
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family durning this time. Aaron is with the angels now and is no longer suffering. He is in Gods hands.
Stephanie823 said…
I totally overstepped my boundaries but I posted this on the DWLZ Baby Board, Nikki. I just wanted you to know so you don't have to worry about getting over there to update us... We will hear from you soon. We love you. PLEASE take care. We're all sending you support and prayers from afar for you and your whole family.
Anonymous said…
Thoughts and prayers with you both, I am so sorry for your loss.

Shanna
Anonymous said…
My heart is breakign for you. Please know that your whoel family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Tiffany
Anonymous said…
Baby Aaron is in heaven with my baby girl Annika (born and died 1/12/05 at 1 pound 3.7 oz) and plenty of other playmates. You will get to see him again in heaven. You will always be his mommy and daddy.

I am so sorry for your loss. Your story touched many. I just "lurk" on Dotty's and have been following you closely and have been praying.

I have experienced loss and know it is tough. Cherish the memories you have of him.

You will continue to be in my prayers.
Anonymous said…
My heart, prayers, and everything else I can give goes out to you right now. Aaron was such a inspiration. Our family will continue to pray for all of you. And if you should need anything your DWLZ friends are there for you. Praying for you.
Anonymous said…
Oh, my heart is breaking for you all. I'm so sorry to hear this. You are in my continuing prayers.

Becca Bell (dwlz)
Anonymous said…
Sending you my sympathies. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you be comforted in your time of need. I am so so sorry for your loss.

Lots of hugs,
Laura (from DWLZ)
Anonymous said…
I am so sorry. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you.
Anonymous said…
I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you.

(louislinus on DWLZ)
Anonymous said…
Much love to you both. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Anonymous said…
May you feel God's love and peace that passes all understanding at this difficult time. Continuing to pray for both of you and your extended family that God will give you grace to get through the next few days and weeks to come. What a loving memory you have to cherish.

Love to both,
Di
Anonymous said…
I'm so glad you were able to enjoy baby Aaron during his time here on earth, but I'm so sorry that you weren't able to be together longer. Aaron was an angel and he was lucky to have two very special parents. May God grant you peace, strength and comfort. Lots of love and prayers.

Marcie (DWLZ)
Anonymous said…
((((((HUGS)))))

My heart is breaking for both of you as well as your families. Please know that many prayers are being lifted up for you. God bless you both.
Anonymous said…
God bless and remember you have your own special Angel watching over you now. My thoughts are with you.
Anonymous said…
You know how much love comes to you from the TNL family. Our hearts ache for you but we are so thankful you were both able to hold Aaron in your arms. We all looked at the pictures today and they brought so much joy to everyone. He was so loved, somehow I know he knows. I love you guys... please let me know if there is anything I or TNL can do for you.
Kim said…
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you all in my prayers. May God bless you during this difficult time and may you be comforted by your memories.
crazedmommy said…
I'm so sorry to hear this sad, sad news. :(

carrieincanada
Anonymous said…
I am so so sorry to read this. Nikki & Josh, et al - Please know I'm praying for you for peace and strength. Lots of love.

Monica
(Britton)
Anonymous said…
Many, many prayers going out to you. I will always think of Aaron when I hear "Hear You Me" now. He will live on forever in the memories of many.

(((HUGS)))
Anonymous said…
sometimes God calls his little angels home long before we want them to go. My prayers are with you all.

Nikki (biloxiblu)
Anonymous said…
There are no words, I am just so very sorry.

Much love and healing vibes for both of you, and everyone in your family.
Anonymous said…
We are so sad to hear the news, and will be praying for the entire family.
Kathy & Jay Ruth
Anonymous said…
We can't tell you how very sorry we are for you! Aaron was a blessing sent from heaven to bring love and joy to your hearts and he did more then that. He touched the lives of people the he never met. After talking to other friends and families members that knew what was going on it just proved that he touched other lives too. There hearts were breaking for you both. You have both been amazing thru all of this. I am sure Aaron knows just how wonderful you guys are. He is loved by so many. I am here from you when you are in need just let me know. Pam, Keith, Vicki, Jack, Sarah, Matt, and Jess we are praying for you as well.
Love you all and still praying!
Johanna, Phill, Lydia and Melissa
Anonymous said…
Baby Aaron is now a star shining down at night and that ray of sunshine on you during the day.

Many hugs and prayers going out to you and your family.
emily said…
I am so sorry for you - I have no words to express it. Many continued prayers for everyone who was touched by little Aaron.

emily (mle) and family
Julie said…
I am so sorry for the tremendous loss of your son. I can't imagine anything worse.
Anonymous said…
Oh, Nikki and Josh, I have cried so many tears for you today! I am so very, very sorry for your loss. This is not the healing we were praying for, but it is a healing of sorts in that Aaron is now free of discomfort of any kind and in heaven with God where you will be seeing him again. He's dancing with angels now! That is little comfort to you now, I guess, in your pain, but you will see the little guy again.

I pray that God will comfort and strengthen you through this time, and that you will know how very many people love and care for you. You have shown wonderful courage, and Aaron was fortunate to have two such loving and devoted parents who loved him and each other so much.

Love from "Aunt" Pat Burdette
Anonymous said…
We are very sorry for your loss. We have been praying for the whole family and will continue to do so. Remember Pastor's words of his sermon from almost every week reminding us about God's promise...I will never leave you.

May you all find Him in this difficult time. Our pryers continue.

AM & BM
Anonymous said…
Dear Aaron,
We will forever love you. Not only have you touched so many lives. You have lived the life that only few will ever know... the NICU. Yes, you have done many things I have done, I know your pain. And my Mommy knew a lot of your Mommy's pain. I only wished you did copy me. I miss you! And my Mommy misses you too!
Love always,
Skylin "The baby girl in the NICU"
I know that there are no real words to say how sorry we are, but please know that we will never forget Aaron or you. Your bravery, strength, and faith have touched our hearts and souls forever. Thank you for "sharing" your little Aaron with us.

With love and sympathy,

Jeff and Heather (Heather in Oregon) Eberlin
Anonymous said…
I am so sorry to hear the sad news. Gob bless you both and stay strong. All three of you have been in my prayers since day one and will continue to be forever more.... Aaron my dad will watch over you... you are in good hands now.
E
Anonymous said…
I'm so so sorry....
I just don't know what else to say so I'll say no more

~HUGS~ and prayers for you all

~Nadalie
(DEMIgirlie/DWLZ)
Anonymous said…
I'm sorry your baby died, I wish I could have helped him.

~Payton
(Nadalie's daughter)
Anonymous said…
Little Aaron has touched so many lives. From family and friends to complete strangers. Such a little person has taught us all a very important lesson. To love each other everyday. He will always be in the toughts and hearts of those he has touched with his spirit. We pray that God gives you strength in this difficult time.
Love,
Sara, Craig and Morgan
Nazila Merati said…
Words cannot express how I sad I am for you two. I'l keep you all in my prayers.

nazila
Anonymous said…
Dear Nikki and Josh,

I sit here with tears streaming down my face as I think of all the love that has poured out of you and all of us for such a tiny little baby, a gift from God who has touched us all. Whenever I had a moment in my day I would say a little prayer for baby Aaron and recently the prayer has been, "Please take good care of little baby Aaron"- not realizing that my prayer would be answered, but not in the way I had hoped.

But surely he is being well taken care of tonight.

Now my prayers will be for the two of you and for all of us who were touched by such a tiny little life. Love you so much.

Aunt Dorie, Uncle Pat, and Kids
Anonymous said…
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Aaron was a beautiful little boy & quite the fighter. I'm sure he felt how very much his parents love him. Thank you for sharing his life.

Mel (sudsygirl from DWLZ)
Anonymous said…
So very sorry for your loss.
Anonymous said…
Dear Josh & Nikki - I am very sorry to hear about Aaron. My thoughts are with you during this very difficult time. Aaron will always be in my thoughts & prayers.

Love - Carol
Anonymous said…
We are so sorry for your loss. Stay Strong.

The Baughman Family
Anonymous said…
We are so, so sorry to hear the news. Please know we are thinking of you, your family and little Aaron. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Again, we are so sorry. May God bless you during this difficult time.

Love, Kim & Ed Molesky (friends of Vicki and Jack)
Anonymous said…
I was so heart broken when I heard that sweet little Aaron had passed away. I have been praying for all of you and especially that precious little boy of yours. May God bless you Nikki & Josh. I will keep you both in my prayers.

Amy (Tappahannock, VA)
Anonymous said…
Hey Josh & Nikki -

I wanted to just say how sorry I am for your loss and to remind you that God's grace and love is all around. He always has a plan, no matter how hard it is to see. I love you both.

Kirstin
Anonymous said…
Nikki and Josh,

I am so so so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and love are with you both!

Tara
(marriedladytara from dwlz)
Anonymous said…
I just joined DWLZ and heard about your loss over there. I am so very sorry for the dreams you had with your baby that will never come to pass. I wish I had the ability to say something to make you feel better. I just wanted to give you and those who loved Aaron a big hug!

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