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Abigail Lynn Loebach
June 5, 2003 - October 21, 2003
Ontario
Abigail Lynn Loebach was born on June 5, 2003. Her proud parents are
Dave & Jennifer Loebach. Abby appeared to be a happy & healthy baby girl
who was just very content. We had some concerns however that she did not
move her arms and legs a lot. After many appointments with different
doctors Abby was diagnosed with SMA Type I on July 28,2003.
Like so many before us we had no idea what SMA was, only that our
baby was dying and that there was no treatment or cure for her. The only
thing we could do was love her, keep her happy and create as many
memories as possible; so that is exactly what we did. Mommy, Daddy and
Abby moved from our home in Belle River, Ontario in with Grandma and
Papa Loebach in London, Ontario so we could be close to her doctors and
also Grandma and Grandpa Galbraith and all of her aunts, uncles and
cousins.
 On Sept
7,2003 we had Abby baptized. It was very special to us for many reasons.
Abby’s cousin Father Chris Gevaert baptized her in a private service
with just Abby’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Abby looked so
beautiful in her gown that grandma made which was also the same one that
daddy wore for his baptism.
Abby was doing OK for a while, she had great big smiles for everyone
who came to see her and would check you out with those great big eyes of
hers. She soon developed a daily routine starting with hugs and kisses
from mommy & daddy and then from Big Strawberry Shortcake, Little
Strawberry Shortcake, Toby the Turtle and then ending with all her other
toys in her crib. Abby liked to spend time in her bouncy chair whether
it was watching Elmo, Bear in the Big Blue house or golf with daddy,
grandma and Papa or sitting in the center of the kitchen table while
everyone ate around her. She enjoyed having stories read to her and
having mommy try to sing. Her favorite song was "If You Are Happy and
you know it."
On September 14, 2003 Abby was admitted to Sick Kids Hospital in
London for a G-J Tube. She would then spend the next 3 weeks there. It
didn’t take the doctors, nurses and therapists long to realize what a
beautiful special baby she was. They would often come in just to see her
big beautiful smile. Everyone was very happy when Abby came back home.
Visitors were no longer restricted and VON nurses started to come in and
help through out the night.
On Oct 21,2003 Abby started having problems breathing and was
sweating a lot. We weren’t sure what was happening so we took her back
to the hospital. That is were Abby got her wings in the arms of her
mommy and daddy.
Abby’s life was short but she will never ever be forgotten. She
touched so many lives with her big eyes and beautiful smile. From people
in the medical field to friends and family who will love her forever and
cherish her always .
Dave & Jennifer Loebach
March 2004 |
