Joshua, Our Precious Baby Boy

by Amy Sayers, Josh’s Mom (Son, Josh, died waiting for a liver and intestine transplant)

Our precious baby boy, Joshua Scott Sayers. September 2, 2000 – November 16, 2001. Never be another you!

Doubly blessed September 2, 2000. Josh and Josiah were born 31 weeks gestation. Josh was 3lbs 5ozs, and Josiah was 2lbs 9ozs. When Josh was 10 days old he underwent his first of 3 surgeries on his intestines. Josh developed NEC, a condition usually caused from prematurity.

Basically his intestines were not ready for food and ruptured. Josh was in the NICU for the first 4 months of his life. He came home with us 1-2-01. That was the happiest day of our life! We finally had our twin boys together in OUR home!

Joshua Sayers

On February 14th, Josh had his last intestinal surgery (not planned). We brought him home again at the beginning of March. At the end of April he was admitted back to Children’s Hospital for dehydration. Although Josh was fed by a g-tube and was on IV fluid 12 hrs a day, he still ended up dehydrated.

While in the hospital he developed edema in his stomach area. After a week or so, the doctors told us that Josh’s liver was probably bad and in need of transplant. They also said that he may need a small intestine transplant.

We were able to bring him home from the hospital mid May. In June we took him to Pittsburgh where they confirmed that, yes, Josh needs a liver and possibly small intestine transplant. They said that they would let us be a live liver organ donor for him, but only to save his life. They wanted the same liver/small intestine donor (because it usually is accepted better).

My husband and I were worried, but not too bad because we knew we could save his life if it ever got that far. Yes, we made sure we could always be reached for THE CALL that we have a donor, but the call never came and Josh passed away very unexpectedly November 16, 2001.

My letter above shows a little of what Josh’s life was about here on earth, but please read farther to hear the good part of his life.

We know that Josh is in the best place a person can be, eternal life with our Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ arms holding him and loving him with more love than ever felt or imagined here on earth. God was so good to him and us, we had such a wonderful time with him and Josiah. We can’t imagine life without him.

Josh and Josiah both are such a miracle. We were able to go to Virginia Beach with them, many trips to the zoo, lunches/dinners out, camping trips in Grandma and Grandpa’s RV, nights at Grandma and Grandpa’s cabin, a nice relaxing boat ride, many strolls around the parks & neighborhood, many malls shopped, and many many other happy times.

Josh through it all was usually happy, smiling, and laughing. We know that most people in his condition would not be able to smile, laugh or be happy, but because of God’s grace he was happy and still is happy.

Yes, in the back of our mind we will always think about what would life be like now if only we would have received the call that WE HAVE A DONOR.

By admin on 3/15/10, In Died Waiting, Personal Stories