Cheryl Haggard
02-01-2007, 12:38 AM
I would like to share an email from the father of Christopher Buckley:
I am also adding a photograph (with permission) of Christopher and his mommy and daddy.
Dear Cheryl,
I would like to write about "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep"
My son, Christopher, was dying at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fl. It was the first week of July 2006. He was waiting for a small bowel transplant but the surgeons decided he was no longer a candidate for the surgery due to his rapid liver failure. It was a sure death sentence. The question posed at that time was " How did we want our son to die? " We couldn't bear the thought of a long drawn out painful death so we decided to cease all life supporting measures. We were assured that he wouldn't suffer and that the ordeal wouldn't last very long. He was an incredibly stong young boy and hung on for 26 hours.
My wife's parents live in Kissimmee and we were driving back to Miami that day knowing that we were going to watch our son die. There was nothing that was going to change that fact. It was a drive filled with pain, suffering and sorrow. I begged, pleaded and finally cursed God for not intervening on my son's behalf. It was a nightmare only I wasn't sleeping and it was going to get worse. My younger sister, Kelly, called my cell phone and gently told me about your organization and that if I wished, she would make the arrangements for a photographer to come see us in Miami. she was calling from Ct. ( She found out about NILMDTS 7 mos. earlier when she posted a message on the internet. She was trying to arrange for a photographer to come to Yale Children's Hospital in Ct. to take a family photo of us all. It was her Christmas present to us. Aparrently a photographer affiliated with NILMDTS responded and my sister explained that it wasn't that dire yet but she did not forget the response. ) I knew she was trying to help in any way she could but I couldn't think straight and told her that I didn't think it was appropiate. I couldn't bear the thought of someone snapping photos as I watched my son die. I made this rash decision without consulting my wife who was sitting right next to me. After about 20 minutes of silence my wife asked if I would reconsider my sister's offer. I hadn't realized that she wanted to do it! I called my sister back and asked for some info. I looked at your website when I got to Miami and decided to do it. IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE!!! My wife and God made it for me.
Martha Bravo was wonderful and actually cried incessantly during the session. Who could blame her? I couldn't even believe she was there out of the kindness of her heart. She flat out refused a gratuity of any kind. The doctors were astonished and almost embarassed that they weren't aware of your organization. Dr. Cantwell ( Patricia, I believe ) made a point of talking to Martha about NILMDTS before she left. Everyone was so impressed!!
The most important point I want to make is this: NILMDTS has turned the most painful 26 hours of my life into my most treasured posession. When I view my son's slideshow and hear our favorite song ( Return to Pooh Corner ) I thank God you were there!!!!!! I have no idea what I would do without that CD. What was once unimaginable pain is now a beautiful memory that I can't live without. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that gift. I will send you a copy of that CD and I hope it can help someone else. I am not a doctor, but I don't need to be one to understand how much that CD has helped me.
Gratefully Yours,
Mike Buckley
I am also adding a photograph (with permission) of Christopher and his mommy and daddy.
Dear Cheryl,
I would like to write about "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep"
My son, Christopher, was dying at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fl. It was the first week of July 2006. He was waiting for a small bowel transplant but the surgeons decided he was no longer a candidate for the surgery due to his rapid liver failure. It was a sure death sentence. The question posed at that time was " How did we want our son to die? " We couldn't bear the thought of a long drawn out painful death so we decided to cease all life supporting measures. We were assured that he wouldn't suffer and that the ordeal wouldn't last very long. He was an incredibly stong young boy and hung on for 26 hours.
My wife's parents live in Kissimmee and we were driving back to Miami that day knowing that we were going to watch our son die. There was nothing that was going to change that fact. It was a drive filled with pain, suffering and sorrow. I begged, pleaded and finally cursed God for not intervening on my son's behalf. It was a nightmare only I wasn't sleeping and it was going to get worse. My younger sister, Kelly, called my cell phone and gently told me about your organization and that if I wished, she would make the arrangements for a photographer to come see us in Miami. she was calling from Ct. ( She found out about NILMDTS 7 mos. earlier when she posted a message on the internet. She was trying to arrange for a photographer to come to Yale Children's Hospital in Ct. to take a family photo of us all. It was her Christmas present to us. Aparrently a photographer affiliated with NILMDTS responded and my sister explained that it wasn't that dire yet but she did not forget the response. ) I knew she was trying to help in any way she could but I couldn't think straight and told her that I didn't think it was appropiate. I couldn't bear the thought of someone snapping photos as I watched my son die. I made this rash decision without consulting my wife who was sitting right next to me. After about 20 minutes of silence my wife asked if I would reconsider my sister's offer. I hadn't realized that she wanted to do it! I called my sister back and asked for some info. I looked at your website when I got to Miami and decided to do it. IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE!!! My wife and God made it for me.
Martha Bravo was wonderful and actually cried incessantly during the session. Who could blame her? I couldn't even believe she was there out of the kindness of her heart. She flat out refused a gratuity of any kind. The doctors were astonished and almost embarassed that they weren't aware of your organization. Dr. Cantwell ( Patricia, I believe ) made a point of talking to Martha about NILMDTS before she left. Everyone was so impressed!!
The most important point I want to make is this: NILMDTS has turned the most painful 26 hours of my life into my most treasured posession. When I view my son's slideshow and hear our favorite song ( Return to Pooh Corner ) I thank God you were there!!!!!! I have no idea what I would do without that CD. What was once unimaginable pain is now a beautiful memory that I can't live without. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that gift. I will send you a copy of that CD and I hope it can help someone else. I am not a doctor, but I don't need to be one to understand how much that CD has helped me.
Gratefully Yours,
Mike Buckley