To the Staff at the Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic

Just wrote a letter for the Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic where we received the devastating news about Rachel's anatomy.   (and spent many more hours there in the following months) Not long ago, I found out that another mom (whom I have yet to meet) also received some very difficult news at this same place.  I was so glad to hear that she had the same Doctor Simrose that we appreciated so much.  It seemed as though she were God sent to us and I still remember some of the things she said to us that day.  Here is my letter:

To the Staff at the Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic (Foothills),

In January of 2010, we came in for an in-depth ultrasound and heard the devastating news that our baby girl would likely live for only a short time – maybe a few weeks or at most, a few months. We were so thankful for the compassionate response we received from the staff and the support for our decision to continue the pregnancy. Thank-you! I know that in your field of work, you often hear just the first part of the whole story. And I want so much for you to know that we have never regretted that choice. Because our daughter Rachel lived 14 ½ months, surprising us all. She changed us in remarkable ways and it would have been a tragedy if we had never met her.
During my visits to your office and others, I often scoured bulletin boards for pictures of children that might also have lived short lives – because I think that would have given me comfort in knowing that I was not alone. And later, I often thought how glad I would feel to know that our daughter’s picture might encourage some other mother – because the difficult news she might receive today is not the end of the story.
I wrote a blog journaling our life with Rachel and it is open for anyone to read. Thank-you again for breaking the news with us tactfully and with compassion.
Sincerely,
David and Kendra Funk
www.rachelamariah.blogspot.com