Gavin's Story published

One of the writers at the American Liver Foundation heard about Gavin's story and wrote an article about him. It's on the front page of their website:

http://www.liverfoundation.org/

Gifts from Gavin- new journey, new blog

I decided to start a new blog. I have been thinking about it a lot, trying to decide if I would, or if I would just continue to post here, or if I would make it public or private...finally I decided that there have been so many people that have shared in Gavin's story, followed him during all of his ups and downs, read all of our feelings and emotions and how we were dealing with it, gave us so much love and support...that I will go ahead and write about how our lives are now and how we are dealing with this. If anything I think it will help me to have an outlet, but perhaps maybe it can help others going through this to not feel as alone, and maybe help those who haven't gone through this to better understand "those that mourn".

Also, I hope that eventually I will be able to continue creating awareness about liver diease, Alpha-1 and organ donation. I feel like there is so much more I can do, that I *want* to do...I don't want anyone else to ever lose a child to this. It is like losing Gavin all over again. So hopefully within the next year I will have something planned. I know we will at least always do something on Gavin's birthday each year (Oct 6th), most likely have a toy drive for the hospital...but I also have other ideas I am thinking about.

The new blog is called "Gifts From Gavin"...http://giftsfromgavin.blogspot.com/

Book for Gavin

I am putting a small book together with pictures and stories about Gavin (mostly for his silblings, but also for us!). I read about the idea from another mom who had lost a child and she said it helped her other children remember their sibling. I thought it was a nice idea since Joenick and Evienne are so young and we might forget a lot of these special little stories over the years. I want them to be able to know Gavin as others knew him and to be able to sit down with the book whenever they miss him or want to feel to close him.

If anyone has any small experience or story that involves Gavin...just anything, can be funny, sweet, spiritual, a description of a time you spent together with him, things you remember about him, first impressions, etc, any small memory at all...if you could just jot it down real quick sometime this week and email it to me, I would really appreciate it. (The kids would be especially thrilled to read stories that involve them, too, if you have any!) If you have more than one, you can send them all! They don't have to be written "perfectly" just write whatever comes to you. They can be just a few lines or as long as you want.

Stories can be sent to: info@giftforgavin.org.


Thanks so much!

Poems

There were two poems included in the program at Gavin's funeral. It is a sort of a "tradition" in our family. One was written for him by my Aunt Nanette, and the other was written a long time ago by my Great-Grandma Vida when she lost her infant son, Robert. Knowing that she went through so similar an experience has helped me a little bit.

Gavin's Gift

Our gift was so precious,

With big brown eyes that stole our heart.

His tiny hands and feet so small,

A perfect baby from the start.

Our gift soon found new meaning,

His health seemed so unsure,

We never would have imagined,

A trial like this we would endure.

This road has not been easy;

We have shed a lot of tears,

But through these many trials,

We have memories to last for years.

He taught us how to love,

And how to truly give,

This special little guy of ours,

Has taught us how to live.

And we know if we could hear,

The words he'd share today,

Would be how much he loves us,

And then we'd hear him say:

I can't wait to be with Joenick,

And give hugs to Evienne, too,

I will walk right beside them,

As they journey this life through.

So don't think I'm not with you,

I won't leave you alone,

I will walk with my family,

As you journey towards your home.

So thank you for being,

The best parents a son could have,

You gave to me the most precious gift,

By being my Mom and Dad.

All my love, Aunt Nanette

Another little baby came to fill our hearts with love,

A tiny little stranger sent to us from Heaven above.

His hair as black as midnight, and he looked just like his Dad,

The sweetest little treasure a Mother ever had.

And oh, the joy and comfort this little fellow brings,

To be the Mother of this lad was sure a wonderous thing.

He did not tarry long with us, his days of life were few,

And Father's called him home again, a grander work to do.

We cherished him, and loved him, we were so proud each day,

It seemed we could not do enough his wonders to display.

And now he's gone to Heaven Above, great glory there to win,

Oh, just to be his Mother was sure a wonderous thing.

We do not feel to blame the Lord, for He knows always best,

He sent our precious baby here, then called him to his rest.

He came to get his body, but his spirit was so pure,

He did not need to take life's test salvation to secure.

And we know we shall meet 'ere long, if we keep free from sin,

Oh, just to be his Mother was sure a wonderous thing.

written by Gavin's Great-Great Grandmother Vida,

after the passing of her infant son

Gavin's Funeral Service

{you may scroll down to see more pictures from the funeral service; remember to turn off the music in the sidebar before listening to the links}

Opening remarks by Bishop Free

Opening Hymn "Teach Me to Walk in the Light"

Invocation by Gavin's great-grandfather "Papa"

Bishop Free outlining program

Musical number "Jesus Savior Pilot Me" by Bethany's cousin James

Life Sketch by Gavin's "Grandma Ann"

Piano Medley "Primary Children's Songs" by Gavin's great-uncle Doug

Talk by Pres. Robinson, family friend

Special Musical Number "Mary's Lullaby" by Crystal, family friend

Closing remarks by Bishop Free

Closing Hymn "I Lived In Heaven"

Benediction by Gavin's great-uncle Robert

Bethany's cousin James

Bishop Free

Gavin's "Grandma Ann"

Pres. Robinson

Gavin's great-uncle Robert

Thank you to all our dear family and friends who helped us honor and celebrate Gavin's sweet life. The service was beautiful...the programs, the music, the pictures, the flowers, the guestbook, the video. Everything was perfect. It meant so much to us to have you all there, and we missed all those who were unable to attend.

Obituaries

Obituaries were printed in both the AZ Republic and the East Valley Tribune on 9/26.

Online Guestbook

The day after

Thank you for all your support. We have been surrounded by family and friends, and can feel all of your prayers and love lifting us up during this hard time. We love reading the comments...it helps so much. Our extended family gathers around the laptop and we read them aloud often.

It has been a long week. I will continue to update this website, and will post pictures and insight from Gavin's funeral soon. For now we are holding fast to one another and trying to make our way through this.

It is our deepest sorrow to inform you that Gavin Charles Sprague passed away Monday evening. Information on his viewing and funeral arrangements will follow.

Thank you to all those who loved our special little boy so much.


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*Gavin's funeral will be held this Saturday, September 27th at the LDS Mesa Central Stake Center at 925 N. Harris Dr. Mesa, AZ 85203. Visitation will start at 10:00am and the funeral will begin at 11:30am. Graveside dedication will follow at the Mesa Cemetary at 1212 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201.

We would love to see everyone there who has been touched by our sweet little boy's life.

Flowers can be sent to the Bunker Garden Chapel Funeral Home at 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201 prior to Saturday. Flowers sent to arrive on Saturday should be sent to the LDS Stake Center.

Fast tonight

If you are able, we are asking our friends and family to fast and pray for Gavin starting tonight.

They re-did his catheter but so far there hasn't been any urine. He just got a big dose of the diruetic and they are hoping that will do something positive. If it doesn't, they are going to put him on dialysis tomorrow morning. Tonight is going to be a very long night. We could really use some peace and comfort during this time.

Its going to be tricky to put him on dialysis b/c he is still on the oscillator. Today while they took his lung culture (which they have to turn off the oscillator to do) he didn't drop any of his numbers...so the doctor is hoping that they will be able to switch him to the ventilator or hand pump it for at least a couple of hours so they can do the surgery. They won't be able to take him into the OR b/c of his condition, so they will try to do it in his room.

His white blood cell count keeps rising, leading them to believe that he either got another bacterial infection, possibly from his abdominal drain, or the fungus has spread. The infectious disease doctor said there aren't really any other options for the fungus, but they will add another antibiotic, Vancomiacin, in case it is a new bacterial infection. Nothing has grown out of any of the cultures though.

His blood pressure kept dropping into the 50's and they had to turn up the dopamine to 18 and turn up the epinephrine. They also gave him some calcium b/c that was low, probably b/c he didn't get his TPN last night since he wasn't urinating. It is stable again now and we pray it will stay that way.

We do have some positive things to be thankful for. At least this time his oxygenation has been stable, he hasn't needed to go much higher on the oscillator, and he is not so bogged down with fluid as before. These are little bits of hope we have to cling to, and we pray that they will make the difference while he fights through the next 24 hours.

We pray that the diruetic will help him tonight. We pray that he won't need the dialysis, but if he does, that he will get through the surgery. We pray that this new infection will be identified soon and that they will be able to treat it successfully. We pray that Gavin is given the neccesary time to fight this battle and stay here with his family who loves him so very much.

please pray

His blood pressure keeps dropping, its only in the 80's right now. His chest x-ray looked worse today. They don't know whats wrong. They think the infection may have spread through his body. They turned the oscillator back up to 22. Please please pray for him. He's come so far...we can't lose him now. I don't know what else they can do. We're just sitting here waiting and praying. I don't understand why this is happening. Please let this only be a setback...please let him get better. Its going to be days now before he can get off the oscillator...his kidney numbers have to improve, there's nothing else to do.