Upon cradling her newborn triplets for the first time, Casi Rott experienced a profound joy surpassing any previous happiness. Unbeknownst to her, however, the precious moments she cherished with her little ones would remain etched in her memory alone, for they were too young to recollect them.
Casi Rott’s journey through pregnancy unfolded with remarkable ease. Together with her husband Joey, they diligently pursued all the examinations and precautions, ensuring perfect harmony. Confidence filled their hearts, enveloping them in an illusion of tranquility.
However, when Casi received the astonishing revelation of carrying triplets—a pregnancy classified as high-risk—medical experts suggested a fertility drug trigger premature labor. Yet, she courageously declined, opting instead to nurture her precious babies until they reached the 34-week milestone.
During the final stage of her pregnancy, the mother from Kansas made a temporary transition from their secluded countryside abode to Wichita, ensuring proximity to necessary medical assistance if the need arose. On the momentous day of January 29, 2016, Casi underwent a Caesarean section, bringing three robust infants into the world at the 34-week mark. The newborns were carefully monitored in the hospital, subject to stringent scrutiny.
With remarkable swiftness, the proud mother recuperated, earning her discharge. Yet, two days later, she abruptly awoke, plagued by excruciating chest pain and a palpitation racing within her core. A foreboding sense whispered that something grave was amiss.
With a sense of urgency, her husband swiftly transported her to the medical facility, where a CT scan unveiled the unsettling revelation of a blood clot nestled within the delicate recesses of her lungs. Following a series of subsequent evaluations, she was granted her second release from the hospital a mere forty-eight hours later. Fueled by an overwhelming sense of optimism, the couple embarked towards the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with hearts brimming with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the treasured moments they would spend with their precious trio—Asher, Levi, and Piper.
Having relished their tender moments with the newborns, they bid their farewells and embarked on a wearying two-and-a-half-hour journey back to their idyllic farmhouse in Clay Center, Kansas. There, their two elder daughters, Tenley, then two years old, and Chloe, then six years old, eagerly awaited their return.
A JOYOUS FAREWELL
As they embarked on their journey to Clay Center, leaving their precious triplets behind in the comforting confines of the NICU, a sense of assurance enveloped their hearts, anticipating a swift reunion the following day. Little did they know that destiny had charted an unexpected course.
Upon their arrival at their cherished abode, Casi exuded an overwhelming sense of delight, basking in the warm embrace of a home after enduring days confined within hospital walls, plagued by the ominous blood clot. Immersed in the role of a nurturing mother, she effortlessly resumed the rhythm of daily life—tending to laundry, meticulously folding dainty baby garments, expressing breast milk, and even indulging in the aromatic art of baking cookies.
Meanwhile, as Joey ventured to collect their beloved daughters from daycare, a glimmer of mischief danced in his eyes. With a mischievous smile, he whispered tantalizing promises of an enchanting surprise awaiting them upon their return, heightening their eager anticipation to unparalleled heights.
The long-awaited reunion unfolded, enveloping the mother and her daughters in a symphony of emotions—embrace after embrace, accompanied by the gentle cascade of tears. The girls radiated pure delight at the sight of their beloved mom, while Casi herself was consumed by an intoxicating elation, a feverish ecstasy sparked by the long-awaited reunion with her precious children.
The jubilant festivities abruptly shattered as a wave of ominous chest pains seized Casi merely minutes later. She sought solace in a seated position, but Joey’s instinct propelled him into action, swiftly guiding her into the confines of their vehicle, determined to reach the nearest hospital as the disquieting symptoms persisted.
Every fiber of Joey’s being compelled him to drive with unwavering speed, yet the gravity of the situation loomed ominously. Tragically, as his wife succumbed to unconsciousness beside him in the driver’s seat, her eyes never graced the light of day again. Reflecting on the heart-wrenching tragedy, Joey somberly expressed,
“My emotions were engulfed in a numbness. The surrealness of it all made it feel utterly unreal. Without a doubt, it was the darkest moment I have ever endured.”
Amidst the hospital’s valiant efforts and Joey’s unwavering determination, their collective endeavors proved futile. Casi slipped away, forever departing from their midst. In the depths of grief, the devoted husband uttered with a heavy heart,
“I pleaded, desperately trying to rouse her from slumber. The doctors toiled tirelessly, their efforts enduring, yet the options at their disposal remained limited.”
A BURDEN OF INEVITABLE LOSS
The weight of Casi’s untimely departure weighed heavily upon those she left behind. Joey’s tender recollections painted her as a paragon of perfection—a rare gem radiating boundless love, eternally poised to uplift others and offer solace.
Within the realm of the local elementary school, Casi diligently served as a secretary, renowned for her unwavering dedication to assisting children in need, even if it meant bearing personal sacrifices.
Navigating the aftermath of her demise proved arduous, especially for their daughters. One of them, as Joey candidly acknowledged, incessantly reminisced about her mother, wistfully pondering her celestial ascent to heaven.
Joey found himself thrust into an unexpected role, suddenly assuming the duties of both a father and mother to his five children, with the added challenge of three little ones requiring substantial care and attention. Amidst the whirlwind of grief, he navigated his mourning amidst the ceaseless tasks of diaper changes, meal preparations, and engaging playtime with his precious brood.
As the sands of time slipped away, Joey often pondered how Casi would have tackled challenges that arose. It was on a fateful day that he had an epiphany—Casi would have encouraged him to embrace his responsibilities fully, guiding him to rise to the occasion of nurturing their children in his own unique way.
Fortune smiled upon Joey, for he made the heartfelt decision to remain in the cherished abode he shared with his late wife. With an outpouring of support from friends, family, and dedicated caregivers, he found solace in their helping hands. The online community also united in an inspiring display of compassion, rallying together to contribute over $100,000, extending a lifeline to assist Joey on his challenging journey.
Residing a mere seven miles from Joey’s abode, his parents, Barbara and Chuck, emerged as the steadfast pillars of assistance, graciously extending their aid in caring for the children. Barbara, herself a nurse, described the experience as bittersweet, as Casi had seamlessly nestled into the role of a cherished daughter. She acknowledged the steep learning curve that lay ahead for her son, for his prior involvement had primarily revolved around supporting his wife. Yet, in the wake of Casi’s untimely departure, Barbara eloquently expressed, “Now, he’s the nurturing force, simultaneously embodying the roles of both mother and father.”
AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT
In the wake of Casi’s heartbreaking departure, Joey resolved to preserve her cherished possessions, including the myriad of paintings she had created. He candidly admitted the immense difficulty he faced in parting with her belongings, for they held an indelible connection to their shared memories. However, amidst this challenge, he wholeheartedly embraced a crucial responsibility—ensuring that their children would never doubt the depth of their mother’s love.
Following the birth of their second child, Casi confided in Joey, imprinting upon his soul a poignant promise: “If anything should ever befall me, please ensure our children are acutely aware of the immeasurable love I hold for them.” Determined to fulfill this sacred pledge, Joey devoted himself to nurturing their offspring’s hearts, painting vivid portraits of their mother’s love through his words, actions, and unwavering presence.
With unwavering determination, Joey preserves the cherished memories of his beloved wife, ensuring that her spirit permeates the lives of their children. He forges ahead, raising them in a manner that honors the essence of what he knows she would have desired. The notion of moving forward after the devastating loss of his wife initially appeared insurmountable, an inconceivable feat. However, as Joey discovered, destiny never bestows upon an individual a challenge they are not capable of conquering.