Edmarc: Embracing Our Family Through So Many Stages
The Burkett Family
Pregnancy is usually a time of joy, filled with expectations and dreams for a new addition to the family. It’s a season of celebration with weekly milestones, pregnancy announcements, gender reveals, baby showers, and the awaited arrival of the new baby. However, this joyous journey can sometimes take unexpected turns. Our family faced such a challenging time when we were introduced to Edmarc.
We were referred to Edmarc’s perinatal hospice program shortly after receiving the news that our son had a neural tube defect called an encephalocele as well as a rare brain malformation called holoprosencephaly. In layman’s terms, his skull didn’t close as it should’ve and his brain didn’t divide. Our maternal-fetal medicine team was phenomenal but had little to offer in the way of good news or hope. We were gently told our son would likely not survive to delivery, and if he did, his time here would be brief. Suddenly pregnancy looked very different. Edmarc met us in the “different” and brought with them hope for our journey.
Bridges of Hope – Perinatal Program
At our initial meeting with Edmarc, we were overwhelmed by our son’s prognosis and uncertain about the next steps. Britney, our exceptional social worker, attentively heard our story and assured us that Edmarc would support us every step of the way – a promise they wholeheartedly fulfilled. From delivering Thanksgiving meals to home visits, assisting with funeral arrangements if needed, and accompanying us to medical appointments, our time in the perinatal program was defined by the unwavering presence of our Edmarc team. Throughout this journey, the team consistently asked, “What if he lives to birth?” and urged us to maintain hope and prepare. I am immensely grateful that they did, as against all odds, our son, Barrett Malcolm Burkett, was born alive on December 10, 2015.
Hospice Care
Barrett was discharged from the NICU to Edmarc’s hospice program a week after his birth. Our deepest wish was to spend his remaining time at home as a family. The Edmarc team listened to our desires and collaborated with the hospital to ensure we had support and necessities for his welcome home. Not only did they manage his care, but they also organized a Santa visit with gifts, and a Christmas meal for our family. The nurses visited our home, guiding us on how to care for our son. They were always available, even at night, providing hope for Barrett’s journey and bringing large stuffed animals for our children.
Six weeks after Barrett was born, we were relocated across the country by the military. Edmarc ensured we had the necessary equipment and care arranged for our son at our new location. Saying goodbye to the supportive Edmarc community was one of the most challenging aspects of the move. To our surprise, our connection with them was far from over! Six years later, upon our return to Hampton Roads with the military, our first call was to Edmarc. They warmly welcomed us back, this time to benefit from their nursing and family support services.
Home Health
While the care services Barrett receives have changed since our initial visit, the consistent support from Edmarc remains the same. Over the past two years, our remarkable Edmarc team has supported us through relocation, rebuilding a strong care network, tough decisions, surgeries, and much more. Not only did they stand by us during difficult times, but they also brought immense joy throughout the journey. From special visits from Santa on Barrett’s birthday to summer pool parties and family petting zoo experiences, Edmarc continues to embrace our family and walk beside us. It’s a source of joy! The care and attention shown, not just towards our son but to the entire family, is remarkable! This is what Edmarc excels at – they embrace your entire family and become like family in the process. We are so grateful to have Edmarc beside us throughout Barrett’s hopeful journey!
