Comment

Comment by Anup Kalra on May 3, 2012 at 9:30pm

May god give you strength and courage to face these moments. My prayers are with you. God bless.

Comment by Veronica E. on May 2, 2012 at 11:33am

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart breaks for every family that has to go through the pain of losing a child. Something that has helped me since Max passed away has been attending Grief Share, a 12-week Christian program for people who have suffered a loss. Here's the Web site: www.griefshare.org.  You can do a search to find a Grief Share group near you.

Comment by Terry Porcaro on May 2, 2012 at 10:51am

I am so sorry for the loss of your precious son.  My prayers are with you.

Comment by lisa burke on May 2, 2012 at 7:32am

I'm so sorry. My thoughts are with you. God bless.

Comment by MommaToo on May 2, 2012 at 12:14am

Thomas, Thank you so much.  i had saw your comment, but couldn't find you to thank you.  I hope I/We are able to move on eventually where everything will not have this huge dark and dreary cloud over it.  I can't imagine the agony y'all went through.  I was fortunate to be able to be by Brandon's side and even holding his hand as he passed.  Although I knew it was coming, I was still not ready.  I always had this picture of how it would happen..he would weaken, become bed bound, get pneumonia once or twice, maybe have an exacerbation of CHF...something would weaken him first.  I know it was better for him this way, which is what matters.  You are right...we become so many things for them.  Since he is gone I am not sure what to do with myself.  I spent almost every waking moment doing for him, or advocating for him.  Before that, it was spent trying to get him to appointments and trying to give him as many "adventures" as we could.  

I do agree, our boys are both happier than they ever thought possible...running and jumping and experiencing a joy we cannot imagine.  The spirit of our boys was never dented from this horrible disease...only their bodies...

Thank you again so much-everyone.  Hopefully there will come a day when no one has to go through what we all have/or had to...Luv and best wishes to all...

Comment by Thomas Hoel on May 1, 2012 at 11:38pm

Hi Catie, I am so very sorry for the pain and anguish you’re feeling with the loss of Brandon. I have been to Brandon’s Caringbridge website and could see what a wonderful young man he was, and how much you all helped him live his life to the fullest. He was blest to have you, and you him.

Six months ago, I came home to bring my son lunch. After lunch, I helped to the bathroom and got him on the elevator. He was playing on his Xbox when I left him. Forty minutes later, the police called me to my home where my daughter found my son unresponsive. He died shortly after. I never had a chance to say good-bye, how much I loved him, and how proud I was to have him as my son. His heart just stopped and he went very quickly the autopsy said. Up until that moment, I had never in my life experienced the gut wrenching pain, loss, and utter helplessness that you speak of. I remember saying, this is not happening over and over again. Yet with time, prayers, and the loving support of family and friends, I am coping better than I was the first three months. I pray that you continue to be patient with yourself and this unbearable process so that in time, peace and acceptance will begin to lessen your waves of grief.

We had become parents, caregivers, doctors, and friends to our sons on such an intense and intimate level. Most of my life was wrapped up in caring and finding a cure for his DMD. His loss left a huge void that is hard to put into words. Yet I have to believe, that Anthony and Brandon are so much happier where they are now. I will say that many days it has been hard to carry on. Reflecting on how my son courageously lived his life has helped me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. In spite of his increasing limitations, I remember he still continued to smile. So, I draw on his inspiration to get me through this difficult time and hope for some peace and understanding with his loss. Again, I pray and hope the same for you.

I will continue to think and pray for you, Brandon, and your family.

Comment by Trinh Nguyen on May 1, 2012 at 10:01pm

Pray he's in peace now. Pray for you and your family.

Comment by Claire Diemler on May 1, 2012 at 8:35pm

I am so sorry.  Our prayers are with you and your family.

Comment by Guadalupe Franco on May 1, 2012 at 7:58pm

Our prayers with you.