...::: David Thomas Prosise :::...

David Thomas Prosise
May 31, 2004
12:05 PM
2 Pounds 15 ounces
15 Inches

On Dec 3^rd, 2003, we found out we were pregnant with twins. We were cautiously optimistic. The babies were only seven weeks old. In late January 2004, as the first trimester came to a close, we began to really hope that we would deliver the twins and our excitement grew. Unfortunately, on February 11^th, 2004 those hopes were dashed. At a level II ultrasound appointment, "Baby A" (David) displayed four different markers for genetic disorder. We were counseled to have an amniocentesis done. The amniocentesis diagnosed David with a genetic disorder called Trisomy 18. We were told that this condition was "incompatible with life" and that David would die. This could occur in the womb, thereby jeopardizing the healthy "Baby B's" survival, or sometime after birth. Most Trisomy 18 babies do not survive beyond the first week of life. Those who learned we were expecting after that day were told we were having a son. It was too hard to discuss the terrible sadness of our inevitable loss and the danger to Connor during the pregnancy. Now that we've had some time to heal, we want to acknowledge David's brief life. We also want to thank him for surviving, allowing his younger brother, Connor, to survive a preterm birth at 33 weeks. At 32 weeks, the excessive amniotic fluid in David's sack burst and I was hospitalized for the remainder of the pregnancy. The doctors at Hoag did what they could to keep Connor safe, but five days later, an infection that had developed in David's sac spread to Connor's sac and caused it to also rupture. With Connor's health in jeopardy, the twins were delivered via c-section several hours later.

This page contains pictures of David Thomas. David only survived for three hours. These are the only pictures we have of him. We were not at our best after the birth. We didn't think to take any pictures as we sat in our post-delivery room with one twin in the NICU and the other in Jeff's arms struggling to breath. It was such a profound, numbing sadness. There are no words to describe how we felt. The NICU staff at Hoag took most of the pictures with a Polaroid. We're very grateful that they did this otherwise we would just have two pictures from the delivery room. Please note, these pictures will probably make you feel sad, perhaps cry.

David means "beloved" and Thomas means "twin" thus David Thomas is Connor's "beloved twin." We believe that David will always be with Connor, watching over him and keeping him safe, much as he did for the 33 weeks in which they were together in utero.

We will always love you, David. Blessed Be.

Click on the thumbnails below to see pictures of David. Use your browser's back button to return to this page.

David's first picture was taken while he was being suctioned shortly after birth in the Operation Room.	Mommy's meets David in the OR.	Mommy, Daddy & David.
David in the NICU.		David and his bear.

On Mar 6^th, 2005, David's ashes were scattered three miles off the coast of Newport Beach; the city in which he was born, lived and passed on. The following are pictures and readings from the service.

I am Mother Earth and the source of all creation,
I have given birth to planets, to stars, to entire galaxies.
All that is may call me Mother.
Yet I have also birthed empty husks of dead worlds and
Seen the lightless void in the universe where
My children did not thrive.
I have known the pain of losing a newly born child.
My heart stopped suddenly when I realized
My newborn cries no more.
I, who am the great earth mother of all have cried
Bitter tears over the loss of my children.
And to you who have shared in such loss,
I say this:

Have no guilt and harbor no hatred to yourself,
For your loss is heavy and your grief, enough to bear.
There is no place to go,
Except the place of healing and remembrance,
For all that is, for all that was and all that will be.

Do not, as others may tell you, try to give this love to your other children.
Do not, as others may tell you, dedicate this love to the creative
Works of your hands.
This love is a gift from this child, David, unique and special to both of you.
It cannot be transferred or suppressed, only cherished.
For no other person or need can fill the place in your heart this child
Occupies and know your heart can still love him
Until you meet again.

Look to the stars at night and know that they are
Your brothers and your sisters.
They know your grief and will help you bear your
Anger and your sorrow.
Look to the Sun and see the bright face of the
Lord of Light.
He will be there to warm you against the
Shivering cold of loss.
Look to the moon and see me.
I will always be there to share your sorrow
And to hold you when the pain is too much.

But look, too, within yourself,
To the great love that makes you whole.
Feel the fullness of the child within you,
And know that your child loves you still.

He did but float a little way
Adown the stream of time;
With dreamy eyes catching the ripples play,
Or listening their fairy chime.
His slender sail
Ne’er felt the gale;
He did but float a little way,
And, putting to the shore
While yet ‘twas early day,
Went calmly on his way,
To dwell with us no more!
No jarring did he feel,
No grating on his vessel’s keel;
A strip of yellow sand
Mingled the waters with the land,
Where he was seen no more:
O stern word – nevermore!
Full short his journey was; no dust
Of earth into his sandals clave;
The weary weight that old men must,
He bore not to the grave.
He seemed a cherub who had lost his way
And wandered hither, so his stay
With us was short, and ‘twas most meet
That he would be no delve in earth’s clod,
Nor need to pause and cleanse his feet
To stand before his god:
O blest word – evermore!

James Russell Lowell

Daddy and Connor in the yacht on the way to the service site.	Mommy and Connor saying goodbye to David.
Daddy scatters David's ashes off the coast of Newport Beach.	David's final resting place is located at N 33 34.185 / W 117 52.900.