In September, Cecilia was flown to Denver for specialized care. While she was admitted to the hospital, Shayne checked into RMHC-Denver, where he found a warm, comfortable place to stay just minutes from his wife. Having a space to rest and regroup made all the difference as he navigated the uncertainty of his wife’s health and their baby’s future.
At just 26 weeks, baby Emma made her arrival—weighing less than one pound. The first few weeks were touch-and-go, but Emma showed incredible strength. Slowly, she gained weight, and today, she’s over four pounds and getting closer to heading home. After spending a few days recovering in the hospital, Cecilia was discharged and joined Shayne at RMHC-Denver, where they could stay together while remaining close to Emma.
In the middle of it all, another challenge arose. Their two daughters, 9-year-old Oshea and 6-year-old Ivy, were initially staying with their grandmother back home. But when their grandmother faced a health issue and could no longer care for them, the family was faced with a difficult situation. Fortunately, RMHC-Denver was there to help keep the family together.
Shayne was able to bring Oshea and Ivy to stay at the House, where they quickly found joy in the play areas, family activities and new friends. Oshea loves spending time in the library, while Ivy’s favorite spots are the playrooms both outside and inside the House. “It was such a stress relief to have such a welcoming place to stay where we could all be together,” Cecilia shared.
The days have been long and full. Between hospital visits to be with Emma, caring for their two daughters, and managing Cecilia’s ongoing dialysis treatments, life has felt like a whirlwind. Yet the support from RMHC-Denver has provided a sense of stability — and a financial relief that Shayne says they can’t imagine living without. “I don’t know how we would have handled that burden,” he shared. “The staff has been amazing, and I’m able to sleep at night knowing my family is safe and together.” As the family looks forward to Emma’s release, there’s excitement — and understandable nervousness — about returning to their rural home, where the nearest emergency room is 20 minutes away. Cecilia will also need to continue traveling for dialysis, adding another layer of complexity to their already full plates. But one thing is certain — they’ve built a foundation of strength as a family, thanks in part to the love and support they found at RMHC-Denver.
“Our family has been through so much but having a place where we could stay close to Emma — and keep our daughters happy and safe — has made all the difference,” said Cecilia. “We’ll always be grateful for this place and everyone who helps make it possible.”
