In honor of Presley Raye Emick
June 15 2017-October 31 2017
God's little gift...
Presley entered the world on 6-15-2017. She immediately was showing signs of respiratory distress, and needed help breathing. Within minutes, a group of nurses and doctors whisked her away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
We were told that she possibly had swallowed amniotic fluid, or had some sort of liquid in her lungs, and they thought we may just be in the NICU for a few days. After a couple days went by doctors began to feel stumped, Presley was not getting any better and was still not able to breathe on her own. Around 1 week old she started having an even harder time breathing and had to be placed on a high frequency ventilator, with a breathing tube. Doctors were at a loss for what was going on, they had never seen this before.
Our team of doctors reached out to a Pulmonologist from Denver Children's Hospital, and she looked through all Presley's X-rays and records. The pulmonologist told us she was confident Presley had a very rare genetic Lung condition called Surfactant Protein C deficiency. Something none of the doctors in our city had ever seen or treated before. We were told that there were only approximately 50-60 kids worldwide with this condition, and all vary greatly in how they are affected. We had to make the tough decision of starting intense treatments without having an official diagnosis, since genetic testing would take at least a week to get results. As soon as we started treatments, Presley started to improve! Her oxygen needs were decreasing and she was starting to need less ventilator support.
By 1 month old Presley was doing great! She was weaned from the breathing tube to a CPAP machine. She continued to do well for the next couple months! We were able to get to know her personality, see her smile, and do all the normal things babies would do at her age. We started to talk about our steps to get her home. The next step would be a more stable airway, in the form of a tracheostomy. We decided to move forward with the surgery with hopes that her lungs would do even better with the trach and she would be able to come home. Just a couple days after her surgery, Presley had one of the hardest nights of her life. She ended up needing 100% oxygen just to barely maintain normal levels of oxygen saturations in her body.
We transferred to Denver Children's hospital (about an hour and half away from home) to have the Pulmonologist who helped diagnose her, and other specialists help get her back on track, and get us closer to going home. She ended up developing Pulmonary Hypertension. And her right lung had collapsed slightly, so we lost a lot of the progress she had made. We were seriously back at ground zero.
After 5 weeks in Denver working with about 20 doctors, starting new treatments, and trying everything we possibly could, unfortunately the condition was too much for her lungs to handle. She passed away on October 31st 2017. The last 4 days of Presley's life were filled with struggle, they were days you would never want to see a baby go through. Presley was a fighter, but ultimately God had bigger plans for her brief time on earth. Presley had fulfilled her purpose here.
In just 4 1/2 months of life Presley has taught her dad and I more than we could have ever expected. She showed us to have immense gratitude for our health and not to judge the special needs of others. How perfection is a perception. And how imperfect IS perfect.
I can't deny that our hearts are broken. But we feel such a sense of peace that she has peace and can breathe now. She was so strong. So precious. So beautiful. And so very loved. Presley touched the hearts of hundreds of people who followed her journey, and all her family. All we can hope for is that, she in some way has impacted people to become better.
A sign to have faith...
....A few days after Presley was born, we were hit with a sign from above to have faith. A big white charter van pulled out in front of my husband and I, while at an intersection. It stopped right in front of us with the scripture "Do not fear, for I am with you" Isaiah 41:10, painted along the entire side. We looked at each other and knew right away that HE would always be with Presley, and we didn't need to fear. We printed a sign (her sign shown below) and placed it on her bed, where it stayed her entire life. We found comfort knowing that she was never alone.
As soon as Presley passed away, I had a defining moment, and realized the scripture we had thought was for Presley the whole time, was actually Presley's scripture to us. We cannot fear, for she is with us. We are thankful to have her looking after us forever.
A true little angel, a Raye from heaven
Presley entered the world on 6-15-2017. She immediately was showing signs of respiratory distress, and needed help breathing. Within minutes, a group of nurses and doctors whisked her away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
We were told that she possibly had swallowed amniotic fluid, or had some sort of liquid in her lungs, and they thought we may just be in the NICU for a few days. After a couple days went by doctors began to feel stumped, Presley was not getting any better and was still not able to breathe on her own. Around 1 week old she started having an even harder time breathing and had to be placed on a high frequency ventilator, with a breathing tube. Doctors were at a loss for what was going on, they had never seen this before.
Our team of doctors reached out to a Pulmonologist from Denver Children's Hospital, and she looked through all Presley's X-rays and records. The pulmonologist told us she was confident Presley had a very rare genetic Lung condition called Surfactant Protein C deficiency. Something none of the doctors in our city had ever seen or treated before. We were told that there were only approximately 50-60 kids worldwide with this condition, and all vary greatly in how they are affected. We had to make the tough decision of starting intense treatments without having an official diagnosis, since genetic testing would take at least a week to get results. As soon as we started treatments, Presley started to improve! Her oxygen needs were decreasing and she was starting to need less ventilator support.
By 1 month old Presley was doing great! She was weaned from the breathing tube to a CPAP machine. She continued to do well for the next couple months! We were able to get to know her personality, see her smile, and do all the normal things babies would do at her age. We started to talk about our steps to get her home. The next step would be a more stable airway, in the form of a tracheostomy. We decided to move forward with the surgery with hopes that her lungs would do even better with the trach and she would be able to come home. Just a couple days after her surgery, Presley had one of the hardest nights of her life. She ended up needing 100% oxygen just to barely maintain normal levels of oxygen saturations in her body.
We transferred to Denver Children's hospital (about an hour and half away from home) to have the Pulmonologist who helped diagnose her, and other specialists help get her back on track, and get us closer to going home. She ended up developing Pulmonary Hypertension. And her right lung had collapsed slightly, so we lost a lot of the progress she had made. We were seriously back at ground zero.
After 5 weeks in Denver working with about 20 doctors, starting new treatments, and trying everything we possibly could, unfortunately the condition was too much for her lungs to handle. She passed away on October 31st 2017. The last 4 days of Presley's life were filled with struggle, they were days you would never want to see a baby go through. Presley was a fighter, but ultimately God had bigger plans for her brief time on earth. Presley had fulfilled her purpose here.
In just 4 1/2 months of life Presley has taught her dad and I more than we could have ever expected. She showed us to have immense gratitude for our health and not to judge the special needs of others. How perfection is a perception. And how imperfect IS perfect.
I can't deny that our hearts are broken. But we feel such a sense of peace that she has peace and can breathe now. She was so strong. So precious. So beautiful. And so very loved. Presley touched the hearts of hundreds of people who followed her journey, and all her family. All we can hope for is that, she in some way has impacted people to become better.
A sign to have faith...
....A few days after Presley was born, we were hit with a sign from above to have faith. A big white charter van pulled out in front of my husband and I, while at an intersection. It stopped right in front of us with the scripture "Do not fear, for I am with you" Isaiah 41:10, painted along the entire side. We looked at each other and knew right away that HE would always be with Presley, and we didn't need to fear. We printed a sign (her sign shown below) and placed it on her bed, where it stayed her entire life. We found comfort knowing that she was never alone.
As soon as Presley passed away, I had a defining moment, and realized the scripture we had thought was for Presley the whole time, was actually Presley's scripture to us. We cannot fear, for she is with us. We are thankful to have her looking after us forever.
A true little angel, a Raye from heaven
How Presley's Purpose ~ a NICU Project started....
After 4 months in the NICU with Presley, I finally decided I would take some time for myself. It was hard, really hard...I never wanted to leave her side. But since I hadn't had my hair done in 8 months, I figured it was time. I went to a salon and spent 4 hours getting pampered. I truly enjoyed my ME time! A definite change to my everyday yoga outfits (pretty much PJs...) and zero time spent on my hair or make-up. I felt refreshed when I returned to the hospital that evening. I had finally felt pretty again, I even took a hair selfie!
Just a couple weeks later our baby passed away. During my initial grieving period, I had several conversations with God looking for guidance. About a month after Presley’s passing, God laid a mission on my heart. I heard loud and clear that I needed to make NICU mamas feel beautiful and special! I had no idea where to start, but I knew I needed to. I started sharing my "NICU Project" with some friends, and everyone loved the idea and wanted help.
Ansley's Salon has so generously offered me a place to pamper NICU families! We have Massage Therapists, Nail Techs, an Esthetician, and a Hairstylist all ready to donate their time! We will offer NICU parents the services of their choice at no cost to them! They can come to the salon and have a day of stress-free pampering with any hair service, a facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, or combo of a couple services.
How you can help;
We are asking for monetary donations to help cover costs of professional salon & spa supplies for the services we provide free to the families, and to help with costs associated with keeping our non-profit going. Every single penny donated will go to an expense involved with Presley's Purpose and our NICU Project. Other ways to help are by purchasing clothing from Presley’s boutique, as a portion of the profits go to the NICU Project. Or share this mission and donation link with others. We will certainly be able to show where donations are being spent, if a donator would like that info. We so dearly appreciate all your help!
I feel blessed to be a part of this project! I love helping families in one of the most challenging times of their lives, get a sense of refresh. Being able to connect and give-back to these very special parents is just one way I am able to honor our angel Presley!
With love & gratitude,
Rinda Emick
Contact: 916.320.2654
presleyspurpose@gmail.com boutique:https://angelrayeboutique.com
After 4 months in the NICU with Presley, I finally decided I would take some time for myself. It was hard, really hard...I never wanted to leave her side. But since I hadn't had my hair done in 8 months, I figured it was time. I went to a salon and spent 4 hours getting pampered. I truly enjoyed my ME time! A definite change to my everyday yoga outfits (pretty much PJs...) and zero time spent on my hair or make-up. I felt refreshed when I returned to the hospital that evening. I had finally felt pretty again, I even took a hair selfie!
Just a couple weeks later our baby passed away. During my initial grieving period, I had several conversations with God looking for guidance. About a month after Presley’s passing, God laid a mission on my heart. I heard loud and clear that I needed to make NICU mamas feel beautiful and special! I had no idea where to start, but I knew I needed to. I started sharing my "NICU Project" with some friends, and everyone loved the idea and wanted help.
Ansley's Salon has so generously offered me a place to pamper NICU families! We have Massage Therapists, Nail Techs, an Esthetician, and a Hairstylist all ready to donate their time! We will offer NICU parents the services of their choice at no cost to them! They can come to the salon and have a day of stress-free pampering with any hair service, a facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, or combo of a couple services.
How you can help;
We are asking for monetary donations to help cover costs of professional salon & spa supplies for the services we provide free to the families, and to help with costs associated with keeping our non-profit going. Every single penny donated will go to an expense involved with Presley's Purpose and our NICU Project. Other ways to help are by purchasing clothing from Presley’s boutique, as a portion of the profits go to the NICU Project. Or share this mission and donation link with others. We will certainly be able to show where donations are being spent, if a donator would like that info. We so dearly appreciate all your help!
I feel blessed to be a part of this project! I love helping families in one of the most challenging times of their lives, get a sense of refresh. Being able to connect and give-back to these very special parents is just one way I am able to honor our angel Presley!
With love & gratitude,
Rinda Emick
Contact: 916.320.2654
presleyspurpose@gmail.com boutique:https://angelrayeboutique.com
Watch Presley's story here: https://youtu.be/Rlsg0OTtHWo