Carrying Lené: A Heart So Small

Blindsided by a pregnancy just six months after the birth of her second daughter, the author finds her life—and faith—shattered when early scans signal a profound crisis. What begins as a fight against genetic defects is soon revealed to be a battle against the inevitable: at 16 weeks, doctors confirm their daughter, Lené, has a terminal heart defect, incompatible with life. Carrying Lené: A Heart So Small is the raw, intimate memoir of the two-day, agonizing induction that follows, chronicling the mother's emotional breakdown and the terrifying physical collapse when her own heart failed under the strain. In an act of profound self-preservation, she makes the agonizing choice to say a final, silent goodbye, carrying home only a tiny clay handprint as proof of her daughter's existence. But the story doesn't end with loss. Fueled by a vivid dream where Lené gives her a mandate to survive, the author navigates the chaotic aftermath—the surgical cleanup, the crippling self-blame, and the immense pressure to carry on for her two living daughters. The book culminates in a miraculous, high-risk rainbow pregnancy that proves life persists, teaching the family that true healing is not about moving on from Lené, but learning the sacred, resilient work of carrying her with them forever. This is a profound testament to the power of enduring love, proving that even the shortest life can leave the deepest, most radiant imprint.