CT Dad's Dying Wish Comes True, Meets Newborn Son In Last Breaths

TOLLAND, CT — A Connecticut family's emotional Facebook post about a newborn baby, a dad dying from cancer and the trials and triumphs of life has gone viral, and the community is rallying to raise money for the mom and children left behind.

Haley Parke wrote that on Dec. 2 she and her husband, Jb, welcomed their second son into the world, but the circumstances were anything but typical and in many ways heartbreaking and tragic.

On Nov. 28, Jb was admitted to Hartford Hospital with complications from his cancer. On Dec. 1, Haley and Jb received the heartbreaking news that his prognosis went from six months to just a few days, Haley wrote on Facebook. His one dying wish was to see the birth of his son, but he wasn't due for another three weeks.

The couple decided to induce labor. Once the doctors signed off, "I kissed my sweet husband goodbye and told him to be strong and hold on for me and the baby - he said he would," Haley wrote.

But this was far from easy. At 8 a.m. on Dec. 2, nurses told her that her husband was declining fast and only had a few hours left.

"It was either a c-section right at that moment, or Jb would not have the opportunity to meet our son," Haley wrote. "Without a question in my mind, I said 'Let’s go' and we did just that. In a matter of literally one minute, I was in the OR, and in just a short 20 minutes later, our son was born. He was given to me for a quick kiss, and then a team of doctors and nurses ran him up 2 floors, and he was placed on his daddy’s chest."

"The miracle of all this? When our baby was placed on Jb’s chest, Jb’s vitals all instantly improved. He was also acknowledging our son was there by making small head movements and sweet moans," Haley wrote.

She was able to get to her husband's room just in time to be with him and their new baby.

"I spent my recovery time gazing at my husband. I was gazing at him in sadness, but in awe of his strength," Haley wrote. "He took his last breaths with our son on his chest and my hand in his hand."

The baby is in good health. The hospital staff was emotional throughout, and they told Haley "they’ll never forget this act of selflessness. Some called my actions brave and heroic. I just call it love. I acted out of love. I put my trust in God that this was part of his plan, and I did what I had to do, out of love, to fulfill my husband’s last wish."

The baby's name, John Beeson Parke, is in honor of her husband. She ended her social media post by writing, "Welcome to the world baby Jb. Your story is truly a miracle."

One reaction on social media called the story, "The true circle of life."

As of late Thursday, the efforts had raised $49,000 on GoFundMe for the JB Parke Family Fund. The goal is $75,000.

Emotional responses on Facebook have been pouring in.

They include:

"Tears ... just tears ..."

"There are no words other than my heart is with you. Sending you and your family endless love and strength."

"My heart just broke for you!"

"I did not have enough tissues ready to read this post ... So much sorrow coupled with so much joy, the true circle of life. "

"I had the honor and privilege to work with John for 3 years. The memories of how funny he was as well as always there to help when asked will stay in my mind. I only met you one time (softball event) but want to extend to you my sincerest and deepest condolences to you. If there is ever anything you need please let John’s fellow work family know. Strength, peace and love to you during this time."

Jennifer Holowaty, the daughter of legendary Eastern Connecticut State University baseball coach Bill Holowaty, reached out to the family in a heartfelt post:

"Haley, we never met, but John played for my dad at Eastern. He became a part of our family, as did his family. There are no words in times like these, but know that you are in our thoughts. And it seems as though John's bulldog toughness (my father was a big believer in being a bulldog) has been passed along to baby Jb. I have a feeling he got some of his toughness from you, too. Sending much love."

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