Subject: Cecilia Winn Propst 11/02/99 - 12/10/99
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 11:29:15 EST
From: DoyleEW@aol.com
To: 2burtons@shentel.net, mfogelgren@juno.com, DrrnCv@cs.com,
     jim-susie-grubb@worldnet.att.net, kmcgill@sienahts.edu,
     sissylou@ivillage.com, MRSCARRIER@webtv.net, sharmun@intrepid.net,
     beach_shack@bigpond.com (the beach shack), Quilter50@aol.com,
     Tarbyzarc2@aol.com, cherubs@gloryroad.net, AuntieAgi@aol.com

To All Our Support,

This morning at 4:23, Dr. Taylor called us to come to UVa Hospital.  Cecilia
had developed a hemorrhage in her heart.  They had disconnected the
hemofiltration machine and ventilators and were bagging her for us to be with
her.  Dr. Taylor had Nurse Shannon there for us waiting at the elevators.  He
came out and told us that there was nothing else that could be done.  (UVa,
he told us was the most aggressive hospital he had ever worked at for saving
lives and trying every option.  We know if she had been anywhere else she
would have been lost several weeks ago.)

We went over to her bedside while she was still being bagged and both of us
told her how much we loved her and that it was all right for her to go.  We
went to a private room and Dr. Taylor brought her to us wrapped in her pink
thermal blanket.  There was not a dry eye in the NICU - not even his.  We
held her and kissed her and she passed away in our arms.  She was baptized by
the clergy that was on duty, not that it needed to be done, after all she is
a Cherub.  She was so peaceful and out of pain.  One nurse, Tracy was called
in - because she had told other nurses to call her if anything happened.
(Tracy loved Cecilia and used to sneak her kisses.  I suspect she wasn't the
only one.)

Nurse Kitty, Tracy and Dr. Taylor all commented on her perfect nose.  It
looked like it had been chiseled out of stone.  She was the most beautiful
baby girl and she had put up a fight they all admired.  They all said they
expected her to go long ago.  But she will always be with us.  She set
records at UVa, longest patient on ECMO, first to be as young as she was on
hemofiltration and the toughest fighter they had ever seen.  They kept
fighting for her there because as Dr. Taylor said she was still all there -
her personality and her ability to focus on everyone stayed with her and them.

Nurse Kitty made ink foot prints and cut a lock of hair for her, she still
had plenty left.  Brian made the comment that Saint Peter better not give her
a hard time at the front gate to heaven.  Dr. Taylor said she would kick him
in the shin and run past him.  That was the type of personality she had.  The
surgeons rounding this morning after we left - even left in tears after
hearing the news.  Cecilia left her mark on everyone and taught us all
something.

I write to you all because you have supported us, gave us hope and helped us
at the most difficult time in our lives.  Writing is also therapeutic for me.
 We will get through this and learn and teach from it.  It hurts, but at
least I am feeling pain.  Our little angel will always be remembered by so
many and for so much.  She was our pride, joy and love.

Thank you all -
With Love & Prayers,

Elizabeth, Proud Mom of Cecilia Winn Propst 11/2/99 -12/10/99, LCDH, ECMO 32
days, O2, NO, kidney failure and heart failure - But she was never a failure.