*Please note that this story is about infant loss. Read with care.
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For over five years, Vicki and Kyle poured their hearts into building a family. After three failed rounds of IUI, and devastating setbacks—including canceled and rescheduled egg retrievals—they wondered if they would ever have children. Then, hope returned. A successful IVF treatment led to the pregnancy of their first child, Palmer.
Palmer was an active baby, especially in the evenings. So when Vicki arrived at her 35-week appointment and realized she hadn’t felt him move that morning, she wasn’t initially worried—he had been especially active the night before, even giving Kyle a few strong kicks before bed. But Vicki’s concern deepened when the nurse practitioner struggled to find a heartbeat. An ultrasound confirmed what she feared—Palmer had passed away.
“As soon as I saw the ultrasound, I knew,” Vicki said. “I knew that he was gone.”
Someone from the OB office called Kyle, and together, Vicki and Kyle spoke with the doctor about their options and what they would be facing. Vicki was going to need to be induced, but they wanted time to process the loss. They went home to grieve and gather strength before returning to the hospital the next day to do the unimaginable—deliver and say goodbye to their miracle baby, Palmer.
Support Through the Worst Moment of Their Lives
Labor was physically and emotionally grueling. Vicki, an ER nurse herself, struggled to see herself as a patient. When she collapsed during a contraction, her nurse, Meagan, walked in at just the right moment. Meagan helped her back to bed, cleaned her up, and got an epidural administered to ease the pain. To protect Vicki’s emotional state, Meagan created a code word for Vicki to use if the room became too crowded and she felt overwhelmed. Meagan wasn’t just a support for Vicki—she also supported Kyle during the process, guiding him on how to help Vicki through labor.
“As a first-time dad, I didn’t really know what to expect,” Kyle said. “Meagan walked me through everything, so I could be there for Vicki.”
When it came time for shift change, Vicki was nervous about losing Meagan’s support. But knowing Vicki and Kyle were facing a grueling night, Meagan handpicked Amber as her night nurse, ensuring Vicki would feel just as supported. Amber was equally compassionate, guiding the couple through the emotional toll of labor and helping them understand what to expect once they left the hospital.
“Just seeing how Amber supported Vicki made a huge difference for me,” Kyle said.
The care extended beyond the nurses. A doctor shared her own experience of loss and reassured Vicki that she could still have a family. The chaplain, Ruth, became a steady source of comfort from the moment Palmer was born and throughout their first year of grief.
When Palmer was finally born, the care team gave Vicki and Kyle the gift of time—12 precious hours to hold him and say goodbye. During that time, Meagan helped bathe Palmer and create cherished memories for them to keep. They were able to take family photos that they cherish to this day, including a picture of Meagan holding Palmer, a photo that will forever be a part of their family and his story. The time they had to hold their sweet baby boy and create these memories will forever live in their hearts.
“When you get pregnant, you buy everything expecting to bring your baby home,” Vicki said. “We never expected to be planning a funeral.”
After Kyle had called nearly every funeral home resource they were given, Ruth stepped in and connected them with a funeral home that reached out to Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation. Because of our generous community of donors, RMCHF covered the costs of Palmer’s burial.
“We were so grateful for this support,” Vicki and Kyle said. “It took a little stress off our shoulders as we were saying goodbye to our son.”
Growing a Family with the Support of Their Community
Determined to build their family, Vicki and Kyle tried again. A few months later, after a failed IVF transfer, they conceived their daughter, Bristol, through IVF. But even with the excitement of welcoming Bristol, they carried anxiety and grief from their loss. The same care team who supported them through Palmer’s birth stepped up once again. Ruth became a close friend, and their doctors provided extra care, even scheduling Bristol’s induction on Palmer’s original due date—forever connecting the siblings.
As Vicki prepared to give birth, she asked, “Is Amber working that night?” There was no guarantee Amber would be called in—but when labor began, Amber was there, ready to support them again. Knowing how anxious Vicki and Kyle were, their care team ensured that the doctors who delivered Palmer came in to welcome Bristol to the world, providing Vicki with a familiar face during delivery. The next day, Meagan and Loretta, a charge nurse present at Palmer’s birth, joined as well, helping Vicki and Kyle through a difficult and complicated delivery.
“There were times during labor when they weren’t sure if Bristol or I would make it,” Vicki said. “Meagan and Loretta jumped into action to save our lives.”
Bristol needed extra care after birth and required regular bloodwork in the weeks that followed. Each time, Ruth met Vicki and Bristol at the hospital entrance with a warm smile, saying, “Welcome home to your community.”
Palmer’s Legacy – Their Star
In the months that followed Palmer’s passing, Vicki struggled with her grief. She wanted to channel it into something meaningful. She remembered leaving the hospital, needing basic supplies to help her through the early days of healing. Inspired by this experience, she created Palmer Packs—care packages for mothers experiencing pregnancy loss who come through the ER where she works—to ensure they wouldn’t have to face the same challenges she did.
In the weeks before Bristol was born, Vicki and Kyle wanted to do something special to honor Palmer’s first birthday. Palmer was named after Palmer Lake in Colorado, a place deeply meaningful to them. Above the lake is a star that lights up after Thanksgiving and throughout December. The couple reached out to the Mayor of Palmer Lake with a heartfelt request: could the star be lit early in honor of Palmer’s birthday? To their surprise, the request was approved. A few days before Palmer’s birthday, the star shone brightly over the lake—a symbol of his lasting presence.
When Bristol was born, the star was still glowing for the holidays. From the delivery room, Vicki could see it shining through the window—a quiet reminder that Palmer was with them.
Gratitude for Supporters
As they reflected on the year since Palmer passed, Vicki and Kyle were ready to express their gratitude for the support they received for Palmer’s burial. Ruth once again connected Vicki with Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, giving them the opportunity to share the impact of that support.
“We are so blessed to have this community that rallied behind us,” they said.
RMCHF is proud to highlight the incredible work of our healthcare partners—supporters like Meagan, Amber, Ruth, Loretta, and the doctors who cared for Vicki and Kyle. Their compassion, expertise, and willingness to go above and beyond to support families change lives every day. You can help us support these incredible medical partners by becoming a monthly donor to Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation. Even $5 a month helps ensure our healthcare partners have the resources they need to provide comfort and care when it’s needed most.
