Parenting through a Life-Limiting Diagnosis (Trisomy 13) and Marriage & Faith After Loss | Episode 137 with Carolyn Keller

Episode 137

Listen in as I spend time with Carolyn Keller as she shares with me about her daughter Bethany who had trisomy 13. This episode is full of so much wisdom -- Caroyn shares about her pregnancy journey with Bethany as well as her life in the NICU.

She talks about what it was like to receive a life-limiting diagnosis and how she navigated that news with her husband and her 3 living children. And then we talk about what it was like to say goodbye and navigate life after loss. Again, we talk about marriage and parenting and what her faith looked like during that time.

Carolyn gives so much wisdom in this episode as well as a ton of practical advice including her favorite resources and books for navigating a life-limiting diagnosis and life after loss and how to walk living children through both of those.

Carolyn said something towards the end of our time together, something that only another grieving mom would be able to hear and understand, she said: “I look forward to the sadness because through the sadness, I can have joy remembering my daughter.” Such a beautiful and honest and accurate sentiment.

Make sure to listen all the way to the end when Carolyn shares a few more words that I promise will offer you freedom and hope today in your grief journey.

I am so thankful to Carolyn and her willingness to share her story and wisdom with us -- I pray it is a blessing to you.

QUESTIONS we discuss IN EPISODE 135

Your Story

What would you say to a woman who has received a life-limiting diagnosis for their baby?
What has surprised you most about loss and this grief journey?
What would you say to a woman who has just been given a life-limiting diagnosis for her baby? What do you wish someone would have said to you?

Marriage After Loss

How have you grieved differently than your husband and how have you navigated those differences?
What do you think is the most challenging aspect of navigating the marriage relationship after loss?
What advice would you give a grieving couple about how to navigate those challenges?

Parenting After Loss

You have three older children, Ruth, Nolan & John, what has it been like to parent them through losing Bethany?
What has been the biggest challenge of parenting after loss?
What advice would you give about navigating those challenges?
How do you help your children grieve and cope?
Were you ever fearful that exposing your children to the reality of death and pain would be harmful to them?
Are there any resources that have been helpful to you?
What it has looked like for you to include Bethany in the lives of your living children?

Faith After Loss

Tell me about your faith during this season — did you ever get angry with God? Doubt His goodness?
God’s Word and His promises have been important to you -- what has that looked like practically?
Are there any resources that have been helpful to you in regards to your faith?

Meet Carolyn

I'm Carolyn. I love Jesus. I'm married to my favorite person, Joel. I'm an RN, but mostly a stay-at-home-mom. We have four kids. This side of Heaven, we have Ruth, 9 ; Nolan, 5 ; John, 2. Bethany would be 6 months old. I'll see her again when I get to that side side of Heaven.

I love playing co-ed softball with my husband. Gardening makes my heart happy. I enjoy spending time with my sweet friends as our kids play. I'm discovering the therapeutic properties of crafting, and it has also helped with healing. I love sharing God's promises to those who will listen.