Yesterday we met with a team of doctors to try and get a consensus about Gage's prognosis. After reviewing the MRI and the EEG, everyone felt that not only was Gage's brain damaged beyond any sort of meaningful recovery, but he was displaying no signs of being able to breath on his own. Mary and I made the incredibly painful decision to remove him from life support.
Today, after the doctors checked him one last time without any sedation, we said goodbye to our precious little baby boy...and all of our hopes and dreams that included our little man.
Gage Warren Pruitt died this morning at 11:35...and he took a piece of mine and Mary's heart with him. Words can't describe the pain we're feeling. Our little fighter smiled his way through an entire stem cell transplant only to be taken out by an infection days before we were to move home. Gage was a special little guy, and will live on in our hearts forever.
Rather than have a funeral for him, we are going to have a celebration of his life later this week. I have but one thing to ask: I respect the various beliefs of our friends and family. So, out of respect for my beliefs, I would ask that no one mention any of the tired old cliches...like "God's will", "God's plan", or "a better place". The fact of the matter is, the best place for our little man is right here in our loving arms. However, his life was destroyed by a disease that is very rare and poorly understood. Mary and I have lived the past four months in a place where every little bald head speaks volumes about the existence of an all-loving god...
Gage, we love you and miss you...we'll always remember all your smiles.
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42 comments:
So terribly sorry for your loss. I can't even begin to imagine your pain. I am very sad that your precious boy is gone ... but he has definitely made his mark in this world and will be remembered for the adorable and precious boy that I am sure he was. I will be thinking about you and your family in the days to come. I hope that your celebration of his life goes well.
Hugs from Wisconsin,
Melinda
Oh, no. I'm in tears-- can't believe the little guy is gone. Is there a fund or memorial set up that we can donate to-- I'd like to do something to celebrate Gage's life, too.
We'll be sending love your way.
~Jess
Tears are streaming down my face as I type. You don't know me, but I have followed Gage's story for a long time. I wish you peace and joy in the coming days... Peace in all that you have to do, and joy in the celebration of this amazing little boy's all too short life. Shane in Austin, Texas
Oh Mary, Charles. I've sat here for about five minutes just trying to figure out what to say. My heart is just breaking for you both - this is just not the way it should be! Mary, oh Mary {{hugs}} I will definitely want to celebrate Gage's life - please let me know what I can do for you.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have been following your blog and am thinking of you guys tonight.
All I can say is that I am so sorry for you, your wife and your daughter! I will continue to think of you all often.
I know I already signed your caringbridge page, but I just wanted to sign in here too and let you know we are praying for you all. I know Gage's celebration will be perfect.
Renee (Kennedy's mom)
Celebrate the time that he had with you!!! The memories cherished by you and your wife will be your strength!! God bless you and your loved ones.
I'm just so sorry for you both.
Maria @BOREDmommy
There are no words to describe how very sorry I am to hear of the loss of your precious little man Gage.
I am very sorry for your loss! I was hoping and praying for a miracle! Gage was a tough precious child. Thank you for allowing us to be apart of this wonderful baby boy's life!
Sorry for your terrible loss, he was a fighter. I don't know of any words of comfort to offer in a time like this. So sorry.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I've been following along just a short time, but let me tell you, your family has been on my mind as though I've known you as family. All weekend long I returned here to see how little Gage was doing...hoping so much to read only good news.
My prayer now is that your family will know that you are not alone in your sorrow. What a legacy your son has left that will not be forgotten. And the example of strength and courage you and Mary have shown is remarkable.
Thank you.
Ouch!!! that really hurts... Ive been following along with the story for some time now.. very saddended to hear about your loss... you are a strong family and he is such a fighter... god is with you all...
No, there are no words. This is not how it should be - not at all.
I'm so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts.
I am Tonia Stulting's pastor in Huntsville and she let me know of your prayer concerns for the last few days. I'm so sorry for your loss and am pausing to lift you all in prayer .... for healing, for grace, for comfort and for an abiding sense of God's presence. Grief takes time and has many strange emotions and process. Remember that time is a friend, not an enemy and that everyone grieves in their own way. Take comfort knowing that you will see Gage again someday and he is wrapped in the loving arms of God. - Pastor Steve West
I am so very sorry.
Suzanne
I'm so sorry :(
I am so very sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers.
We love and miss you, Gage!!! You will forever be in our hearts.
I'm so sorry.
my heart and thoughts are with you and your family. i'm so so sorry you had to go through any of this.
I am so very sorry for your loss, I can't even imagine your pain. Try to remember him as the smiling happy boy he was despite having been through more in his short time here then most adults. Gage knew how much you gave and how much you loved him. Best wishes for your futures.
So very sorry to read about your sweet baby. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Charles, I am so sorry for you and your family. Hang in there, it is a tough road. I have never lost a child but lost my husband to a brain injury three months ago, and the decision to pull life support is not one I would wish on anyone. I am thinking of yall.
No words are enough, and will not be.
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy. My prayers are with you in this time.
I am so sorry you lost your child. I know nothing can make the pain go away but please know many people are praying for your family and him!
My prayers are with you.
Charles Goodman, M.D.
Gauchers patient
Charles and Mary, I am so sorry to learn of your tragic loss.
Betty Greene
Dynetics
I am so sorry for you loss. I lost my sister to non-smoking related lung cancer 4 years ago, so I understand the journey you are about to go through. You have my thoughts during this difficult time.
We all feel so sorry and are crying for the biggest loss in your life. Love you and Gage so much and thinking of you all. Take care and be sure: Gage will live in your and our hearts for ever.
Gitta, Volker and Carolin
We were devastated to find out that you and Mary had to say goodbye to Gage yesterday. I honestly cannot even imagine how you are all feeling right now. I am so sorry that we were never able to meet him or experience his sweet little smile in person. I have also been thinking a lot about Emily and what she must be going through. You are very fortunate to have a kind, loving, and sweet little girl and while nobody will ever be able to replace Gage in your hearts, please be sure that everyone takes time to focus on little Emily right now too!
Love, Lisa, Clint, and Calista
Charlie..Mary..I'm so sorry. I found out at church camp (this is Meghann, by the way). I have been trying to figure out words to clearly describe how sorry my family is and how much we wish there was something more we could do to help you all in this time. We're continuing to send thoughts and love just down the street.
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Words cannot express how I feel in my heart for you both, it has broken for you both. I cannot imagine how heartbreaking it is to lose your precious baby. I began to cry as soon as I read what happened. My deepest condolences. I pray that the Lord comforts you in this time of deep pain. God Bless
Crystal Gauthier
I am so sorry for your loss. I have been reading your blog for only a week or so but am sitting here in tears. That beautiful smiling bald face will remain in my mind forever.
Charles and Mary,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am a member of the MOMS Club of Madison-South, and have been following your blog for a few months now. My heart aches for you and I am praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
Abigail Dobbins
Thinking of you ... hoping that you are hanging in there.
Thinking of you guys!
I'm Crew Buchanan's mommy (6th floor, A pod at Vanderbilt). My friend Jennifer (Hatcher's mommy) just told me about baby Gage's passing. My heart is weeping for you both, I'm so incredibly saddened for the loss of your precious child. We lost our first child so I know all too well what you are going through. I want you to know that I am here if you need me, even if you just want to get your anger out. You can contact me directly at maegan.buchanan@yahoo.com.
Praying for your family,
Maegan Buchanan
I am catching up on your blog, as Mary had commented on mine, and I don't know if you will even read this. My son died a little over 6 months ago from choking and then having massive brain damage from not breathing for so long. We also had to make the decision to take him off life support. Thank you so much for saying that you don't want to hear things such as it's God's will. Not everyone has faith through this difficult time, and mine has definitely been tested. The cliches just don't help. Anyway, I'm incredibly sorry for your loss. Many hugs to you.
Can't believe I had never read this post. It breaks my heart all over. <3 Gage <3
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