Audrey's precious life
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McCook Gazette
McCOOK, Neb. -- If there ever comes a time in your life that you are feeling sorry for yourself, take time to stop and think about the short but triumphant life of Audrey Ann Fish Haberman.
Audrey lived only two and a half years, but in that brief -- but awe-inspiring -- time, Audrey endured more than most who have lived much, much longer.
The first-born child of Erica Fish and Sam Haberman suffered greatly during her 935 days of life, but there were good moments, too.
Moments so memorable, sweet and agonizingly heart-breaking that Audrey's parents. grandparents, caregivers and companions will remember her ordeal as long as their earthly journey continues.
Audrey truly was one in a million . . . if not one in multiple millions.
She had a rare disease with a name so long it scares you to even say it. As spelled out by Erica and Sam at "An Evening for Hospice," the terrible, incurable disease is called metachromatic leukodystrophy.
When we remember Audrey, we probably should say the complete name of her illness to remind us of her struggle, but being human we abbreviate, saying simply "MLD" instead.
Listening to Erica and Sam at the Hospice evening at the Knights of Columbus Hall in McCook, it was awesome to consider all the places Audrey visited during her alternately painful and pleasurable life.
In her 133 weeks of life, Audrey spent time with her parents and grandparents in Omaha, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Europe, Dallas, Denver and Imperial. Some of her happiest moments were spent with her young uncle Isaiah and her neighbor's dog Stella, which Audrey lovingly called, "Lella, Lella."
During most of Audrey's life, her parents knew she was very, very sick, but there were other moments, too, moments of better health and hope.
Nights being crabby -- when she cried, cried and cried -- were followed by happy times, playing with dogs and delighting her Mom and Dad with her precious antics. And, then, as Audrey's condition worsened, came the falls, dislocations and -- finally -- arms which were locked in place and hands which dangled at her side.
Near the end, Mom and Dad received the diagnosis which they feared, but expected. Audrey's disease -- MLD -- was incurable and terminal. Knowing there wasn't much time left, Sam and Erica brought Audrey back to Imperial. Upon the advice of specialists in the U.S. and abroad, who knew there was no cure, Erica and Sam reached out for Hospice care.
With tears in her eyes, Erica remembers that moment when she connected with Jim Ulrich and the Hospice team at Community Hospital in McCook,
Despite the distance and not knowing anything about MLD, the Hospice team in McCook agreed to give all the care and support it could to Audrey and her family during the final days of her life.
She survived eight weeks after the diagnosis. The last days were agonizing, her pain so great that at the very end Audrey's death was a blessing, uplifting her from earthly pain to heavenly bliss.
In celebration of Audrey's life, the cover for the 2015 Hospice program quotes the lyrics of Alabama's song, "Oh, I believe there are Ångels among us, sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me in our darkest hours. To show us how to live. To teach us how to give.To guide us with a light of love."
With Sam and Erica, we join in believing that "little Audrey has a special place in heaven."