If you would like to see more pictures and read a more detailed description of Ava's journey, you can visit her carepage at www.carepages.com. They will ask you to register free of charge. The registration is simply to have the necessary informaton to add you to the guestbook of every carepage you view. It will then ask you for a carepage name. Ava's is Delicatebird. |
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| Obituary- Lawrence Eagle Tribune |
| AVA'S FAVORITES |
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| IN MEMORY OF OUR DAUGHTER AVA ELIZABETH MEDEIROS 7-14-04 TO 11-20-04 |
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www.EverlastingButterfly.com
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A Monsta Midget Design
| Below is the update from Ava's Carepage on the day she became a Butterfly in God's Hands November 20th, 2004 |
This website is a memorial for our daughter,
Ava Elizabeth Medeiros,
who passed away on November 20th, 2004 due to a rare genetic skin disease called
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). She served as such an inspiration for so many during
her short time with us, so we wanted to do something to continue her flight. We hope
to spread awareness of this horrible disease, along with helping others who are
going through a similar experience.
My wife was hospitalized for four weeks due to complications before giving birth to
our second daughter Ava Elizabeth by emergency c-section. She went into labor
about 24 hours after performing an Amnio Syntesis that showed the Amniotic Fluid to
be bile. At that time, Melanie was 34 weeks and we knew that one of the risks of
performing an amnio was to go into labor, and she did. On July 14th, 2004 at
9:24am, Ava was born at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, Ma. She weighed 4lb
10oz and was 18" inches long with no skin on her right elbow and a large lesion on
her lower abdomen. I remember seeing her as the doctor handed her to the nurse,
my heart dropped from her wounds, but I had to pretend that everything was ok to
Melanie. She was on so much medications and with her current condition, I feared
she wouldn't be able to handle it. Ava was immediately transported to Children's
Hospital in Boston for further evaluation. Melanie and I had already been through 4
weeks of what we felt was hell, little did we know that it would seem more like a
vacation compared to the months to come....
After preliminary evaluation at Children's, the diagnosis was a rare genetic skin
disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. There was still a number of test to be
performed to validate the diagnosis along with categorizing the type. There are many
forms that range from mild to lethal, so we were hoping for the best. It wasn't long
before they came back with something that was found through ultrasound and x-rays.
Ava had a blockage or underdeveloped connection between her stomach and small
intestine. This helped to preliminary categorize the form of EB to Junctional EB with
Pyloric Atresia. This blockage explained the reason for the Amniotic Fluid being bile.
She was swallowing the fluid and spitting it back up because there was no where for it
to go. Ava required surgery, and this needed to be done as soon as possible.
The medical team tried giving Ava a small dose of Morphine to manage the pain from
her elbow, lower abdomen, and any other discomfort that she was having. She did
not do well with it, and experienced quite a few incidences of Apnia. Ava had a
breathing tube inserted to help stabilize her breathing. Two days after birth, Ava went
in for surgery to correct the Pyloric Atresia. They were concerned with the handling
of Ava during the surgery, along with the incision that needed to be made because of
her skin condition. I can remember seeing her for what I feared was the last time. Our
first daughter, McKenzie, was in the room with my wife & I, and we both just lost it. We
tried being strong in front of her, but it was out of our control. About 5 hours later,
Ava returned from what was a successful operation. They used a surgical glue to
close the incision and her skin held up weIl during and after the surgery. Ava would
need sometime for recovery, but each day that went by, she seemed to improve, at
least in the beginning.
Ava needed constant care. Whether it was the dressing changes on her arms,
hands, legs, feet, toes, abdomen, diaper area, etc., four times a day or constant help
handling her secretions. For the first 2-3 weeks, her stomach needed to be
constantly drained due to the bile that she had been swallowing in the womb. She
also developed new lesions due to medical tape or just basic handling. Everything
that needed to be done was such a challenge for everyone. Especially the dressing
changes. It took at least two nurses to perform them because Ava was in such
discomfort causing her to squirm. The fact that she was lubed up with Aquafor and
Bacetracin didn't help either. It was about a week or two before Melanie and I saw her
right elbow close up. I am not sure how to explain the feeling and fear, so I won't even
try. Eventually, Mel and I were doing Ava's dressing changes, and at first they were a
challenge, but we did eventually become comfortable doing them.
The first month and half was very difficult to keep family and friends informed. We
were trying to deal with everything we were going through, so repeating everything to
everyone just intensified the mental stress. We have the best friends and family in
the world, and everyone was so concerned, but there were times where we felt we
couldn't talk about it anymore. That is where we discovered something that assisted
us through the rest of our journey and gave us so much added strength. It was a
website called www.carepages.com. It is a free service for patients or parents to set
up a site to post updates, pictures, express feelings, and receive messages of love
and support from family. This site was a lifesaver. The phone calls and questions
minimized, which allowed us the time we needed to deal with our situation. Everyone
was on the same page as far as Ava's condition, and we became stronger people
due to all the messages that were left by the everyone showing their support. At the
end, there were over a thousand messages from more than 300 people from doctors,
nurses, friends, family and strangers who had become friends. If you would like to
read the updates for a more detailed layout of Ava's life, you can visit her carepage
at www.carepages.com. You will be asked to register at no cost. They need your
information only to add you into Ava's guestbook. Once you register, they will ask
you for Ava's carepage, which is "delicatebird". The definition of Ava is Pretty
Delicate Bird. How ironic?
On top of the EB, Ava tested positive for Cystic Fibrosis through the state screening.
It was later determined through the testing of my wife and I,
that she was just a carrier. Through out Ava's life, she encountered many difficulties
and obstacles. So in order to try and give everyone a good idea of what she went
through, I though it would be best to list them.... Blistering externally and internally,
lesions, loss of finger nails, multiple blood transfusions, tachycardia, dehydration,
difficulty of maintaining her oxygen, growth retardation due to lack of absorption, 2
Central lines inserted, Sinus Thrombosis, Seizures, Collapsed Lung, Brain Damage,
Infection/Blood Clot in the Heart, Multiple Spinal Taps, Blood and Tissue in stools, at
least 20 IV's, a Kidney Disease (undetermined type), and Reflux.
The only visible place that Ava did not have any blistering was on her head. The
ones in her mouth, esophagus, and on her tongue seemed to be the ones that gave
her the most discomfort, but it was difficult to tell where else they were in her body. I
am sure the bleeding and tissue loss in her stools were due to some being present in
her intestines. Common with Ava's form of EB, her skin seemed to improve before
regressing. It wasn't until the last month where her blisters seemed to increase. Due
to blistering and the fragility of her skin, she was losing her finger nails.
Ava experienced many lesions other than just the ones from birth. Her elbow and her
abdomen healed incredibly. Ava also had lesions on her face, forehead, hands,
arms, feet, and legs mainly from all the IVs and tape. It was a constant struggle to
give her what she needed, but the medical staff did an incredible job. Even though
her skin was so fragile, she healed extremely fast and well.
Due to blood loss in her stools and blood draws for testing, Ava needed about half a
dozen blood transfusions. Her heart rate would normally increase into the high 100's
to low 200's along with some difficulty breathing right before a transfusion. It was like
she was a different baby after receiving them. She was more alert, and seemed to be
much more comfortable. At times throughout she needed assistance and constant
monitoring with her breathing, but during her 2nd and 3rd months, she seemed to do
a better job maintaining it on her own. Ava had major problems handling her
secretions. She required an excessive amount of suctioning, which was avoided as
much as possible due to the trauma it caused in her mouth and throat. We tried cool
mist, nebulizer, and hydration to thin them down. The last four or five days of life, she
required constant assistance with her oxygen, and even then she struggled.
Ava experienced problems gaining weight mainly due to lack of absorption and her
ability to swallow along with being able to keep her food down. Ava had a severe
Reflux, so feeding her orally or through the NG tube was too difficult. Also, it was
determined that Ava had a Kidney Disease, which caused her to lose an excessive
amount of protein. She did not reach her birth weight until she was about 2 months
old. We tried breast milk, Progestamil, and finally she was able to be given her
nutrition through a Central line that was inserted up by her collarbone and exited out
her chest. She was receiving quite a bit of nutrients, lipids, antibiotics through her
CL. They later removed it due to a possible infection, and surgically replaced it for
one through her right thigh up along her spine and exiting out right above her right
knee. Once the necessary nutrition levels were determined, she did begin to gain
weight. We were looking at going to a G-tube, but do to her excessive bleeding
internally, she just never reached a healthy enough condition to handle the surgery.
Her highest weight was 8 lbs 7 ozs., which to us seemed to be a miracle considering
she never really ate.
In the beginning of Septemeber, Ava started experiencing seizures.
She would arch her head as far back as possible along with rapid blinking, odd
mouth movements, and twitching of her arms. After running some test, they
determined that she had a blood clot in her brain that was preventing normal flow
and creating a back flow into areas that it shouldn't be. It was determined that she
had experienced some sort of brain damage, but it was far too early to determine the
severity. They could not give her the medicine to treat the clot because it would thin
the blood and increase bleeding, which she was already doing internally. They put
her on a seizure medication, and we monitored the blood clot with the hopes that it
would improve on its own. Thankfully, it did and normal flow began to improve, and
was continuing to do so.
Ava was very good at letting us know what she wanted or liked. For example, at times
she favored being on a certain side. She would cry until we flipped her or held her.
She loved being held, but then again who doesn't. Unfortunately, her persistance of
wanting to be on a certain side, seemed to help contribute to a collapsed lung. There
was a fear of Pneumonia, but thankfully the lung came back by keeping her off of
that side. We began paying more attention to making sure we rotated her positions.
Due to Ava's disease, a major concern was infection. There were a number of blood
cultures performed, never showing any sign of infection, even though at times her
actions along with fevers sure made you believe she did. She was on and off
Antibiotics all through out her life. There was a blood clot or infection that was found
in her heart that they were really concerned with. They were never able to determine
whether it was an infection or not, but treated her for one as a precaution.
It pains me to say that Ava never had a comfortable day in her life. I could not even
imagine the pain that she endured. The pain she showed when stooling was
terrifying, never mind the fact that we felt helpless. Due to her increased pain, her
pain management ended up being a continuous flow of Morphine, along with a
medication to relax her called Adavan. She would clench her first so tight to the point
where we were too afraid to force them open because we thought we might hurt her.
Once they began doing Physical Therapy, we noticed an immediate improvement.
She wore splints to keep her from clenching her fist, so that she wouldn't put force on
her weak fingernails. The blood and tissue in her stools, along with the pain she
experienced from it, was horrifying.
Through all that, Ava fought every day of her life, right to the very end. She touched
so many people in person and through her carepage. My wife and I have become
better and more educated people. She has made us better parents for her siblings.
Our experience at Children's Hospital, also opened our eyes to the number of
children and parents that fight everyday. Ava introduced us to so many incredible
doctors, nurses, social workers, parents, and children. We are forever grateful for
everything we have learned from our daughter. Her beauty touched so many, and I
will never forget watching the Red Sox win the world series with her. My wife will never
forget snuggling and sleeping with her through the night. Her brother Devin, will
never forget holding her in the glider and touching her hair, and Mckenzie will never
forget holding her through the night that she passed. Although, there were only so
many that were able to meet her in person, there are hundreds that know her and will
never forget. Ava is loved by so many and loves so many, and became an Angel on
November 20th, 2004 in my wifes arms. We were there to welcome her into the world,
and there to guide her into heaven. Ava has her wings, and is now an
Everlasting Butterfly.....
Ava Elizabeth Medeiros,
who passed away on November 20th, 2004 due to a rare genetic skin disease called
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). She served as such an inspiration for so many during
her short time with us, so we wanted to do something to continue her flight. We hope
to spread awareness of this horrible disease, along with helping others who are
going through a similar experience.
My wife was hospitalized for four weeks due to complications before giving birth to
our second daughter Ava Elizabeth by emergency c-section. She went into labor
about 24 hours after performing an Amnio Syntesis that showed the Amniotic Fluid to
be bile. At that time, Melanie was 34 weeks and we knew that one of the risks of
performing an amnio was to go into labor, and she did. On July 14th, 2004 at
9:24am, Ava was born at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, Ma. She weighed 4lb
10oz and was 18" inches long with no skin on her right elbow and a large lesion on
her lower abdomen. I remember seeing her as the doctor handed her to the nurse,
my heart dropped from her wounds, but I had to pretend that everything was ok to
Melanie. She was on so much medications and with her current condition, I feared
she wouldn't be able to handle it. Ava was immediately transported to Children's
Hospital in Boston for further evaluation. Melanie and I had already been through 4
weeks of what we felt was hell, little did we know that it would seem more like a
vacation compared to the months to come....
After preliminary evaluation at Children's, the diagnosis was a rare genetic skin
disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. There was still a number of test to be
performed to validate the diagnosis along with categorizing the type. There are many
forms that range from mild to lethal, so we were hoping for the best. It wasn't long
before they came back with something that was found through ultrasound and x-rays.
Ava had a blockage or underdeveloped connection between her stomach and small
intestine. This helped to preliminary categorize the form of EB to Junctional EB with
Pyloric Atresia. This blockage explained the reason for the Amniotic Fluid being bile.
She was swallowing the fluid and spitting it back up because there was no where for it
to go. Ava required surgery, and this needed to be done as soon as possible.
The medical team tried giving Ava a small dose of Morphine to manage the pain from
her elbow, lower abdomen, and any other discomfort that she was having. She did
not do well with it, and experienced quite a few incidences of Apnia. Ava had a
breathing tube inserted to help stabilize her breathing. Two days after birth, Ava went
in for surgery to correct the Pyloric Atresia. They were concerned with the handling
of Ava during the surgery, along with the incision that needed to be made because of
her skin condition. I can remember seeing her for what I feared was the last time. Our
first daughter, McKenzie, was in the room with my wife & I, and we both just lost it. We
tried being strong in front of her, but it was out of our control. About 5 hours later,
Ava returned from what was a successful operation. They used a surgical glue to
close the incision and her skin held up weIl during and after the surgery. Ava would
need sometime for recovery, but each day that went by, she seemed to improve, at
least in the beginning.
Ava needed constant care. Whether it was the dressing changes on her arms,
hands, legs, feet, toes, abdomen, diaper area, etc., four times a day or constant help
handling her secretions. For the first 2-3 weeks, her stomach needed to be
constantly drained due to the bile that she had been swallowing in the womb. She
also developed new lesions due to medical tape or just basic handling. Everything
that needed to be done was such a challenge for everyone. Especially the dressing
changes. It took at least two nurses to perform them because Ava was in such
discomfort causing her to squirm. The fact that she was lubed up with Aquafor and
Bacetracin didn't help either. It was about a week or two before Melanie and I saw her
right elbow close up. I am not sure how to explain the feeling and fear, so I won't even
try. Eventually, Mel and I were doing Ava's dressing changes, and at first they were a
challenge, but we did eventually become comfortable doing them.
The first month and half was very difficult to keep family and friends informed. We
were trying to deal with everything we were going through, so repeating everything to
everyone just intensified the mental stress. We have the best friends and family in
the world, and everyone was so concerned, but there were times where we felt we
couldn't talk about it anymore. That is where we discovered something that assisted
us through the rest of our journey and gave us so much added strength. It was a
website called www.carepages.com. It is a free service for patients or parents to set
up a site to post updates, pictures, express feelings, and receive messages of love
and support from family. This site was a lifesaver. The phone calls and questions
minimized, which allowed us the time we needed to deal with our situation. Everyone
was on the same page as far as Ava's condition, and we became stronger people
due to all the messages that were left by the everyone showing their support. At the
end, there were over a thousand messages from more than 300 people from doctors,
nurses, friends, family and strangers who had become friends. If you would like to
read the updates for a more detailed layout of Ava's life, you can visit her carepage
at www.carepages.com. You will be asked to register at no cost. They need your
information only to add you into Ava's guestbook. Once you register, they will ask
you for Ava's carepage, which is "delicatebird". The definition of Ava is Pretty
Delicate Bird. How ironic?
On top of the EB, Ava tested positive for Cystic Fibrosis through the state screening.
It was later determined through the testing of my wife and I,
that she was just a carrier. Through out Ava's life, she encountered many difficulties
and obstacles. So in order to try and give everyone a good idea of what she went
through, I though it would be best to list them.... Blistering externally and internally,
lesions, loss of finger nails, multiple blood transfusions, tachycardia, dehydration,
difficulty of maintaining her oxygen, growth retardation due to lack of absorption, 2
Central lines inserted, Sinus Thrombosis, Seizures, Collapsed Lung, Brain Damage,
Infection/Blood Clot in the Heart, Multiple Spinal Taps, Blood and Tissue in stools, at
least 20 IV's, a Kidney Disease (undetermined type), and Reflux.
The only visible place that Ava did not have any blistering was on her head. The
ones in her mouth, esophagus, and on her tongue seemed to be the ones that gave
her the most discomfort, but it was difficult to tell where else they were in her body. I
am sure the bleeding and tissue loss in her stools were due to some being present in
her intestines. Common with Ava's form of EB, her skin seemed to improve before
regressing. It wasn't until the last month where her blisters seemed to increase. Due
to blistering and the fragility of her skin, she was losing her finger nails.
Ava experienced many lesions other than just the ones from birth. Her elbow and her
abdomen healed incredibly. Ava also had lesions on her face, forehead, hands,
arms, feet, and legs mainly from all the IVs and tape. It was a constant struggle to
give her what she needed, but the medical staff did an incredible job. Even though
her skin was so fragile, she healed extremely fast and well.
Due to blood loss in her stools and blood draws for testing, Ava needed about half a
dozen blood transfusions. Her heart rate would normally increase into the high 100's
to low 200's along with some difficulty breathing right before a transfusion. It was like
she was a different baby after receiving them. She was more alert, and seemed to be
much more comfortable. At times throughout she needed assistance and constant
monitoring with her breathing, but during her 2nd and 3rd months, she seemed to do
a better job maintaining it on her own. Ava had major problems handling her
secretions. She required an excessive amount of suctioning, which was avoided as
much as possible due to the trauma it caused in her mouth and throat. We tried cool
mist, nebulizer, and hydration to thin them down. The last four or five days of life, she
required constant assistance with her oxygen, and even then she struggled.
Ava experienced problems gaining weight mainly due to lack of absorption and her
ability to swallow along with being able to keep her food down. Ava had a severe
Reflux, so feeding her orally or through the NG tube was too difficult. Also, it was
determined that Ava had a Kidney Disease, which caused her to lose an excessive
amount of protein. She did not reach her birth weight until she was about 2 months
old. We tried breast milk, Progestamil, and finally she was able to be given her
nutrition through a Central line that was inserted up by her collarbone and exited out
her chest. She was receiving quite a bit of nutrients, lipids, antibiotics through her
CL. They later removed it due to a possible infection, and surgically replaced it for
one through her right thigh up along her spine and exiting out right above her right
knee. Once the necessary nutrition levels were determined, she did begin to gain
weight. We were looking at going to a G-tube, but do to her excessive bleeding
internally, she just never reached a healthy enough condition to handle the surgery.
Her highest weight was 8 lbs 7 ozs., which to us seemed to be a miracle considering
she never really ate.
In the beginning of Septemeber, Ava started experiencing seizures.
She would arch her head as far back as possible along with rapid blinking, odd
mouth movements, and twitching of her arms. After running some test, they
determined that she had a blood clot in her brain that was preventing normal flow
and creating a back flow into areas that it shouldn't be. It was determined that she
had experienced some sort of brain damage, but it was far too early to determine the
severity. They could not give her the medicine to treat the clot because it would thin
the blood and increase bleeding, which she was already doing internally. They put
her on a seizure medication, and we monitored the blood clot with the hopes that it
would improve on its own. Thankfully, it did and normal flow began to improve, and
was continuing to do so.
Ava was very good at letting us know what she wanted or liked. For example, at times
she favored being on a certain side. She would cry until we flipped her or held her.
She loved being held, but then again who doesn't. Unfortunately, her persistance of
wanting to be on a certain side, seemed to help contribute to a collapsed lung. There
was a fear of Pneumonia, but thankfully the lung came back by keeping her off of
that side. We began paying more attention to making sure we rotated her positions.
Due to Ava's disease, a major concern was infection. There were a number of blood
cultures performed, never showing any sign of infection, even though at times her
actions along with fevers sure made you believe she did. She was on and off
Antibiotics all through out her life. There was a blood clot or infection that was found
in her heart that they were really concerned with. They were never able to determine
whether it was an infection or not, but treated her for one as a precaution.
It pains me to say that Ava never had a comfortable day in her life. I could not even
imagine the pain that she endured. The pain she showed when stooling was
terrifying, never mind the fact that we felt helpless. Due to her increased pain, her
pain management ended up being a continuous flow of Morphine, along with a
medication to relax her called Adavan. She would clench her first so tight to the point
where we were too afraid to force them open because we thought we might hurt her.
Once they began doing Physical Therapy, we noticed an immediate improvement.
She wore splints to keep her from clenching her fist, so that she wouldn't put force on
her weak fingernails. The blood and tissue in her stools, along with the pain she
experienced from it, was horrifying.
Through all that, Ava fought every day of her life, right to the very end. She touched
so many people in person and through her carepage. My wife and I have become
better and more educated people. She has made us better parents for her siblings.
Our experience at Children's Hospital, also opened our eyes to the number of
children and parents that fight everyday. Ava introduced us to so many incredible
doctors, nurses, social workers, parents, and children. We are forever grateful for
everything we have learned from our daughter. Her beauty touched so many, and I
will never forget watching the Red Sox win the world series with her. My wife will never
forget snuggling and sleeping with her through the night. Her brother Devin, will
never forget holding her in the glider and touching her hair, and Mckenzie will never
forget holding her through the night that she passed. Although, there were only so
many that were able to meet her in person, there are hundreds that know her and will
never forget. Ava is loved by so many and loves so many, and became an Angel on
November 20th, 2004 in my wifes arms. We were there to welcome her into the world,
and there to guide her into heaven. Ava has her wings, and is now an
Everlasting Butterfly.....
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She Has Landed In God’s Hand Ava is a butterfly in God’s hand now. Yesterday she had really been struggling to maintain her oxygen and heart rate. At approximately 2:30 am this morning, she took flight. Over the past couple of days she really had shown signs that her heart was getting tired. Friday morning her heart dropped into the 60’s for about 5 minutes. She was becoming swollen because her heart wasn’t strong enough to distribute the fluids to where they needed to be. So we met with the medical staff, and we decided that we needed to discontinue her nutrition, lipids, and antibiotics with a strong recommendation from the medical staff to do so. Even though we discontinued these treatments, it was her breathing that was primarily the cause of her passing away. She needed constant oxygen to maintain her level, and even then she still had difficulty. Nana, Auntie Bre, Grammy, Grampy, Mckenzie, Mel & I were there to help comfort and guide her through. The most important thing was that she was comfortable throughout, and really wasn’t aware of what was going on. As the intervals decreased between each dip, Mel & I comforted Ava alone. Ava fought for hours, and truly is the greatest fighter I have ever known. We mourned, we slept, and held each other tight. It is the hardest thing we have and hopefully will ever have to go through. She has been a major source of inspiration, and a teacher of love. She has put many into a reality check, including myself. She has shown us that it is what you have, and not what you don’t that is important. She has made me a better father, son, brother, friend, and husband in her short time with us. I can’t even imagine what else she would have taught me. She taught us that loving someone, sometimes means taking a difficult route to please them. This disease was too much to overcome, and her quality life was not very good, but to all that knew her she was a Miracle. Every parent that has known of her troubles, goes home and hugs their kids a little tighter and is much more thankful for everything they have, along with being a little less envious of what they don’ t. Our family has met people that care for other baby Avas every single day, and we are ever so grateful. They need to keep in mind how many babies that they help every day, rather than how many cannot be cured. All of you helped us through this most difficult time of our lives, and I truly mean it when I say that we could not have done it without you. We love you as much as you have loved our daughter, keeping in mind that she loves you too. We would like to thank everyone for supporting us through Ava’s journey. Ava’s carepage has been so therapeutic and has given us so much added strength and support. We were willing to share, and you were willing to accept. That is a true relationship. We are planning the arrangements for the wake at Harte Funeral Parlor and the funeral at St Patrick’s Church on South Broadway in Lawrence. We’re trying to schedule it for Tuesday & Wednesday. Once we have the final arrangements, we will post them on the Carepage. Ava has spread her wings, flown, and landed in the palm of God’s hands. She is not only our Miracle of Flight, but also a Miracle of leaving her presence everywhere she lands. Butterflies not only have fragile wings, but also exuberate incredible beauty in a short life span. EB is Everlasting Butterfly. TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF HER LIFE WITH PEACE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT |
Monday, November 22, 2004
Ava Elizabeth Medeiros
METHUEN -- Ava Elizabeth Medeiros, 4 months, 7 days. The Lord opened his hands and
called this little butterfly to be his newest angel on Nov. 20, 2004.
Born on July 14, 2004, a daughter to Troy and Melanie (Bradish) Medeiros of Methuen. Ava
fought valiantly with a disease known as Progressive Epidermolysis Bullosa since her birth.
Children with this disease are often called "butterfly children" because the skin is as fragile as
that of a butterfly's wing. During her short life she touched the hearts of many who cared for
her at Children's Hospital. Ava will be lovingly remembered by her parents, a sister McKenzie
and a brother Devin, her grandparents Karen Bradish of California, Mrs. Judith A. and John
Medeiros of Newburyport. Also many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Friends are invited to visit with Ava's family on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8
p.m. at Hart-Wallace Funeral Home, 107 S. Broadway, Lawrence. A funeral Mass will be held
at St. Patrick's Church on Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Immaculate
Conception.
Donations in memory of Ava E. Medeiros may be made to Debra of America Inc., 5 W. 36th
St., Suite 404, New York City, NY 10018 or to Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave.,
Boston MA 02115. Arrangements entrusted to Hart Wallace Funeral Home, 107 S. Broadway,
Lawrence.
Ava Elizabeth Medeiros
METHUEN -- Ava Elizabeth Medeiros, 4 months, 7 days. The Lord opened his hands and
called this little butterfly to be his newest angel on Nov. 20, 2004.
Born on July 14, 2004, a daughter to Troy and Melanie (Bradish) Medeiros of Methuen. Ava
fought valiantly with a disease known as Progressive Epidermolysis Bullosa since her birth.
Children with this disease are often called "butterfly children" because the skin is as fragile as
that of a butterfly's wing. During her short life she touched the hearts of many who cared for
her at Children's Hospital. Ava will be lovingly remembered by her parents, a sister McKenzie
and a brother Devin, her grandparents Karen Bradish of California, Mrs. Judith A. and John
Medeiros of Newburyport. Also many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Friends are invited to visit with Ava's family on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8
p.m. at Hart-Wallace Funeral Home, 107 S. Broadway, Lawrence. A funeral Mass will be held
at St. Patrick's Church on Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Immaculate
Conception.
Donations in memory of Ava E. Medeiros may be made to Debra of America Inc., 5 W. 36th
St., Suite 404, New York City, NY 10018 or to Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave.,
Boston MA 02115. Arrangements entrusted to Hart Wallace Funeral Home, 107 S. Broadway,
Lawrence.
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