Emma Fox, 3 months old, on hospice

Emma Margaret Fox was born February 18, 2016, at 27 weeks to her wonderful parents Travis and Ali. Emma was 2 pounds 8 ounces at birth. She has been a fighter ever since she was born. 

Emma was born at LDS hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Until recently she has only know three places as her “home” – all hospitals. Shortly after she was born, she was transported to Intermountain Medical Center where she lived for a few weeks. She was later transferred to Primary Children's Hospital to perform emergency brain surgery due to fluid buildup after a bleed. A temporary shunt was placed in her brain to help drain some of the excess fluid. 

Later, Emma developed a brain infection called meningitis, which was treated with antibiotics. After she was treated and the infection cured, everything seemed to be progressing well. Discharge plans were being discussed and Emma was growing and tolerating her feeds and meeting her milestones. Recently she started to have more complications. She had periods where she wouldn't breathe and her oxygen levels dropped. It was decided to get another MRI to see if they could determine the cause. 

The results of the MRI were unexpected to say the least. The day after Ali's first mother's day they received the devastating news that the brain infection Emma had essentially eaten away half of her brain. Fluid is building in her brain, putting pressure on her brain stem, which is causing the apnea (periods of time where the breathing stops or slows) and hypoxia (low oxygen in her blood). Just like a flip of a switch, her prognosis went from a discharge where her parent’s were expecting a happy healthy baby, to terminal.

Travis and Ali were presented with several options for Emma. One of those options was to perform several more complicated and risky surgeries that may relieve some of the pressure on the brain, but this would ultimately mean many more months spent in intensive care, surrounded by machines, nurses and other medical professionals poking, prodding, and life in a hospital. These surgeries would have just prolonged life, which would have most likely been spent all in a hospital. Another option that was presented was to bring Emma home on hospice care and let her spend the rest of her life comfortable, surrounded by family and those who love her.

Travis and Ali decided they did not want Emma’s whole life to be spent in a hospital. They decided to bring Emma home on hospice care. The doctors cannot tell how much time we will get to have with Emma. Travis and Ali made this decision knowing the time they had with her could be only days, or weeks, or months.

I cannot begin to imagine how I would have even been able to approach these choices. It is a decision that leads to sleepless nights, and frankly the hardest decision I could ever imagine making. How do you make that kind of a decision for your daughter, whom you love dearly? I’m sure that many of you can feel the same way. Nobody would want to make this decision for their child. To Travis and Ali, it was selfless love. It is a kind of love to let a child go when God is calling them.

This goes to show what kind of people Travis and Ali are. They are selfless and willing to put the needs of others over their own. One way to show your gratitude that you have not had to make this decision is by donating to Emma’s care. The last thing Travis and Ali need to be focused on is medical bills and equipment, and everything else that comes with the care of a terminal infant. Your donation will make it easier for Travis and Ali to spend loving their daughter and spending quality time with her.

There will be grieving ahead. There will be ups and downs. We are loving every second we are able to spend with sweet Emma now. We are asking for your kind and generous donations. Travis and Ali have been so positive during this whole process. They are truly excellent parents. They did not deserve to have this happen to them or their family. Your prayers and thoughts of love and support are much appreciated.

Whatever you can give would go directly to the care of Emma. Please consider sharing this story to your Facebook wall or Twitter feed. Thank you for reading Emma's story.