Baby Iris Jean

My name is Gayle Seeman and this tiny baby girl Iris Jean was my first granddaughter. Her parents Kacie Franks Johnson and Justin Johnson have 2 boys and 2 girls from previous marriages, and were ecstatic to expand their family together. Iris Jean joined a "big brother" known affectionately as Junior, 18 months old. Iris Jean was a long held dream of a girl to complete their own Brady Bunch.

This is her story, from her Mama.

Please, please please send our baby girl all the love and prayers you can manage. I'm going to try and post and update because I can't get to everyone's messages. Yesterday we got to take our sweet Iris Jean home. We had questioned some of that because she wasn't wanting to latch or eat, and still hadn't had her first bowel movement, but ultimately they sent us home and we had to trust Mercys doctors and nurses. After we got home she still wouldn't eat. Around midnight we got her to take about a ML of milk and within 10 minutes she was vomiting green liquid from her nose and mouth. We rushed her to mercy ER- that is a whole terrifying story in itself- but around 7 am we were finally mediflighted to Dallas.

She just finished her first surgery where we found out she had an obstructed small intestine. They were able to remove a large portion of the small intestine, as well as her appendix, before the surgery became too much for her little body to take. They have a temporary mesh over her opened tummy, she is getting blood transfusions and lots of medical attention and rest--- and if all goes well in the next 24- 48 hours they will be going in to fix her large intestine (which is not properly formed) and give her some colostomy bags. There is a chance she will also lose more of her small intestine then.

We've only had one day with her. We need so much more time than this, but right now we are being told we have to see if she can make it through the day. We need her to make it through this. We are literally in shock and terrified. We love her so so much!! She's so beautiful and precious and tiny, she doesn't deserve any of this

After tireless efforts by the amazing staff at Dallas Children's Hospital, Baby Iris left this earth and went to heaven on September 23. Her heartbroken parents were able to hold and spend time with her as she completed her journey.

Now we are asking for help bringing our precious girl home for a small burial so she can be near her family. Expenses from the flight, surgeries and hospital stay will be enormous but at this moment we just need to say goodbye and bring her home.

Support from friends and family has been enormous. Any amount you can give would be appreciated and accept with gratitude and love.

Kacie and Justin Johnson

siblings: J and Sam, Elicia and Elena, and Junior.

The Johnson's, Seeman's, and Franks families. Here on earth and in heaven.

(services at a later date)