After 10 years of marriage, four years of raising a set of siblings, and enduring an intense custody battle and failed adoption, Ashley and Mike have been working through a grief that most people can’t begin to fathom. In 2018, they shared a video explaining that their reason for not having biological kids yet was because they simply weren’t ready.
This year, their hearts were ready to once again grow their family.
After sharing the news that they were expecting, Ashley took to Instagram with several posts, rocking the bump, and even writing letters to the children they lost.
But last week, this incredible couple endured perhaps one of the most difficult parts of their journey yet.
After suffering excruciating stomach pain, Ashley was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a kidney infection. That kidney infection led to a kidney stone, which led to sepsis.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, Ashely says Mike was unable to be with her in the hospital, which lasted several days.
“Being wheeled away from him was terrifying,” she wrote on Instagram. “Taking tons of tests and ultrasounds to determine if the baby was okay without Mike with me was anxiety ridden.”
On Friday morning, after days of fighting for her life, and the life growing inside of her, Ashley was forced to deliver their miracle baby at just 16 weeks.
“He came quickly and unexpectedly, and I delivered him all alone in a room that was never meant to deliver babies,” Ashley wrote. “I sobbed and screamed on my bed, yelling to God that it wasn’t supposed to be this way, as I waited for a group of doctors to come help me.”
Once she had delivered him, Ashley was rushed to the Labor and Delivery unit of the hospital where she could finally be with Mike for the first time in days. Together the met, and held, and said goodbye to their son, Jayce Michael LeMieux.
“The name Jayce means ‘Healer,’” Ashley said. “That’s exactly who Jayce has been for us. This baby healed us in ways we never thought we’d experience again, and showed us that there is a beautiful life that is still waiting for us to live. Our hearts are cracked wide open again, but this time, we have Jayce as a guardian angel to help light our way.”
Mike took to Instagram with his own message, calling Ashley a “warrior,” and promising to spend the rest of his life sharing the peace and healing that was found in their son.
“As I held my baby, I felt so much peace,” he wrote. “I thought about what [Ashley] went through to bring him here, and I wept. The level of emotional and physical pain she’s endured has left me shattered. You know — when those you love go through the most difficult things, it makes you ache. My core was shaken.”
This week, just seven days after giving birth and saying goodbye to her son, Ashley shared a beautiful encouragement to her almost 300k followers.
“I know that life might seem impossible for you right now. I know that it might freaking hurt like hell, and you might be really scared. But maybe there are some little lullaby’s that are still surrounding you, that can remind you that life, joy, growth, and love, still overpower the darkness. Listen for the lullaby today.”
Our hearts and our prayers are with Mike and Ashley as they navigate this new grief and peace. Jayce brought healing, and we’re praying for more of that to come.
