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Host
Hey guys, it's me, Dvorah. I just dropped an all new bonus episode inside my new subscription channel, We're All Insane. Plus this week's bonus episode is called My Brain Was Slipping into My Spine. Listen now by subscribing to We're All Insane. Plus inside your Spotify or Apple podcasts app or go to we're all insane.com
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Candice
I'm Candice, here with my mom, Christine. We are here today to talk about my daughter Delilah. Delilah passed away a week before her first birthday from sids, which is sudden infant death syndrome. Basically the day before I was cleaning, taking care of the house. Her and her brother were playing the whole entire day. So I didn't really get to hang out with her that much. I put her down for bed, put my son down for bed. And then at this point my boyfriend, he was working overnights and then I was just working at a grocery store. But that night, once both of the babies were down, I went and I started working on goody bags. Because the following weekend was supposed to be my daughter's birthday party. It was supposed to be very first birthday so I was making goodie bags for all the kids that were supposed to come. And that night I did hear her, like she never cried when she went to bed or anything. She was really good at going down and sleeping but she woke up a little bit, did her baby babbles. She didn't cry but went straight back to bed. She always went straight back to bed. Both my babies were sleep trained but I didn't think anything of it so I just let her do what she needed to do and went back to bed. I went to sleep. And then the following morning, it was probably around 10 or 11, which was pretty late. Usually the babies wake us up, but they didn't. I heard my son Roman, start to wake up. He's three right now, so he was probably around two, two and a half when this was happening. I heard him crying. Not crying, but waking up. So I went to go and grab him and told him, okay, let's go wake up sister. I let my boyfriend sleep because he had just gotten off at around 4 in the morning. I went to grab Roman. I said, let's go get sister. I walked into the room, and her room is dark, and we had the sound machine going, but she was face down in her crib, which, again, I didn't think anything of it because she always slept on her stomach. Actually, the day before, I could hear her snoring. And I took a little video of her face down with her hands next to her face, snoring when I went to go wake her up that morning. But the morning that I found her, I walked into the room with my son. And to wake her up, I would do the same thing every single day. I would tap her butt and rub her back. And that's exactly what I did that morning. And she didn't move, but that was my first thought, that she was gone. And then I felt her arm and she was freezing, so I just assumed, oh, we need to get you warmed up. But then again, I noticed she really wasn't moving. So I rolled her over and she was gone. She was purple. Blood had come out of her nose and her mouth, so it had stained her crib and mattress. I just remember running to go and get my boyfriend from the bedroom. Our bedrooms were right next to each other. And I remember screaming for him to help. And he immediately woke up screaming, like, what's wrong? Like, what's going on? And he ran into the room and saw that Delilah was gone. He called 911 while I stayed with her. And all I could hear was them saying, like, you need to give her cpr. Which I can see that she is not here anymore, like, completely gone. So it was really hard to fathom, like, having to do CPR on a baby that's no longer here. I tried to give her CPR in her crib, which obviously wasn't working. So I picked her up and she was just. That's saying dead weight. It's true. She was just so stiff and so heavy. But I picked her up I put her on the floor and I did what they were telling me to do. I was trying to do CPR on her, but again, she was dead baby. Ems, firemen, everyone, they were all there really quickly. They had to physically pick me up off of her. But then they just left her body there, just all day, which I understand it's considered a crime scene, there's a dead baby. But the whole entire time that they were investigating, she just laid there by herself. So from the moment she went to bed till then, she was basically just by herself. And. I don't know, it's just something that I really regret, just her being by herself during all of that.
Host
Did they let you back in there after?
Candice
No, no, they had me. So my son was still in his crib at the time? Well, not in his crib, but he still had his crib in his room. What they had me do was take like a fake doll and show them exactly how I found her in the crib. They wanted me to do it in her room with her still laying there or did they move her body? Yeah, they wanted me to go back in there where I found her and show them exactly how I found her. But instead we did it in my son's room. But we did everything right that you can do as a parent. She had a $400 breathable mattress. She had the fitted sheets. She only ever slept in the zip up sleep sacks. Her binky was always clipped to her. That way she could always have her binky and the sound machine going just everything.
Host
So do they know what causes that? No, not at all.
Candice
Not at all. Sid has been around forever and there's no new research. Nothing at all.
Host
It's just so crazy and scary because it's no answers.
Candice
That's exactly what it is. No answers.
Host
Right. And then it's like that fear that this could just happen. Is there like a time frame that you're like in the clear with that?
Candice
So sits usually occurs between the first few months of life. Like it's very like ramped up between I think months two and four. And then it's supposed to go away. Like that fear is supposed to go away after a few months. For us it was a week before my daughter's first birthday.
Host
Right.
Candice
So that shock was even worse for us. They do have new technology like the owlette and the snooza that are supposed to help track babies breaths and heart rate and all those. It's more so to help parents with their anxiety. But my daughter, she was a week away from her first birthday. She was her second child. Nothing had happened to my son, so we didn't have those same anxieties that we had as, like, brand new parents. We didn't expect. Nobody expects this to happen, but it can happen, and it did happen. I think another thing, too, is with sids, a lot of people mistake it for suffocation, especially because the numbers are so skewed, because they say that it is sids. If they can't rule it out to be anything else, well, I don't know how to explain it. Accidental deaths or suffocation for babies, those are completely different things, but they just throw it into the SIDS pile. So we don't know exactly how many babies really die from SIDS every single year.
Host
And are there any parents that do autopsies to see?
Candice
Yes. So we did an autopsy, and they came back and said everything was perfect with my daughter. Her brain was perfect. Immaculate brain, immaculate heart, immaculate lungs. Like, everything was perfect with her. She didn't aspirate, she didn't choke, she didn't suffocate.
Host
Was the blood normal?
Candice
Yeah.
Host
Okay.
Candice
I've heard a lot of stories of parents where their babies also pass away in their sleep, and they have the blood coming out from their nose and mouth and everything, too.
Host
So it's just so scary that there's just no.
Candice
No answers, no answer.
Host
Even if there was, it still is horrible and scary. But, like, at least it would give you some sort of, like, clarity or understanding, like, signs to look out for.
Candice
We keep saying the same thing. Where I don't necessarily think it would be easier if there was an answer.
Host
Yeah.
Candice
It's just something that we could have prepared for. Like, if she were sick, we could prepare for it.
Host
Yeah, like, something, like, to be told, oh, your baby was perfectly healthy. It's like, well, then what happened? You know what I mean?
Candice
Cause the day before, she was outside playing with her brother. She was so close to walking. And this year, they were supposed to be running outside in the backyard together, playing, and just all of that got ripped away. And we're never gonna have answers, right?
Host
And then how's your son doing?
Candice
He's too young to really understand. Lately, these last few weeks or months, he's been saying that she's naughty because she ran away. So I think that's his way of coping with it. We also do have my daughter's ashes in this bunny. So this is Delilah. He plays with her all the time. We take her everywhere. We change her clothes into outfits that she's worn. We Buy her new clothes. But I'll go to work, I'll come home and she or he has her with him at night. My son, he now does sleep with me. I'll wake up in the middle of the night panicking because she's not in my arms. I'll turn around and he has her. So he's still the best big brother I could ever ask for her. Yeah, he loves her so like immensely. We have pictures of her everywhere. And he's like that sister he knows absolutely.
Host
I am sure so many of you can relate to the feeling of just feeling like something is off. Whether it's no matter what you eat, your stomach just isn't settling, it doesn't feel right, you're exhausted. Midday. That is like the biggest thing that I struggle with. And something that I just started to realize is that so much of these off feelings actually tie back to your gut and your gut health. Whether it's your digestion or your brain function or your focus or your overall energy levels. And that's why it is so important to really nourish and take care of your gut. And that is why I started taking just Thrive probiotics. And it's not one of those probiotics or things that you take that just looks good on paper. It actually is meant to arrive in your gut a hundred percent alive, which is the whole point, right? So instead of just hoping that something works, you're actually giving your body a real shot at better digestion, stronger immunity and just feeling like you are back to your normal self again. And the best part, there is no risk. You can try it and see how you feel. Start your 90 day risk free trial today at just thrive health.com/insane and save 20% on your first order. That's just thrive health.com promo code insane because be the best you with just thrive. How long ago was this?
Candice
This was last August. So her birthday's August 30th. She passed away August 18th. Yeah, August 18th.
Host
And then after the aftermath of everything, what did you find helped you? Did you. Was there like, are there a lot of groups and like communities that kind of like our support for things like this or. Not really.
Candice
So we do go to a support group once a month. It's the Pregnancy and Infant Loss support group in Reno, Nevada. And they have been incredible. We didn't start going until January of this last year. But you meet so many women who have gone through such crazy losses and they really understand that want and need of having their babies with them. And I've found that there's so many women who they don't have the same situation where they lose their baby to sids, but they have that similar loss and they also don't have answers.
Host
Yeah.
Candice
Like I find that so crazy that us as women, we don't know answers for what happens to our babies, like ever. Like if they pass away. It doesn't make any sense and there's not enough research going into any of it.
Host
Right.
Candice
But we do go to the support group. I started going to therapy earlier this year. What else? So my daughter's funeral was a Sunday. I went back to school that Monday, first time in college. I had already planned on going back to school but one of the last things that I had told her at her funeral was that I was gonna go back to school and finish it for her and make her proud. But I'm doing everything for her and my son.
Host
Right. That's all you can do.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
And I think it is something that it's super important because I've heard of the term but I didn't know that it was. It could just be so random and so sudden and you can have no idea why.
Candice
That's one of the biggest reasons why. When I saw your TikToks and I saw that you do guest based podcast, I was like, this would be amazing to speak out about SIDS and just spread awareness and let parents know that yes, it's scary and it's anxiety inducing, but it can happen. Just because it didn't happen before doesn't mean that it can't happen later on. And it's not to like make people more scared or anything, but it's just I never ever thought that.
Host
Right. It is almost like that something to keep in the back of your mind. It's like it's not to instill fear or negativity. It's just so crazy to me about like even the time frame, it just doesn't add up.
Candice
Well, also whenever I bring it up, I'm very open about talking about this, but I'll bring it up to a stranger and they'll say, oh, what's sids? And I'll explain it. Sudden infant death. And they' I had no clue that was a thing. More people should know that this is a possibility. I knew about it beforehand, but again, I didn't think it was ever going to happen to us.
Host
Well, even just the. I think something you mentioned before, that's a good point. But where people's minds sometimes go of like, what did you do wrong? Yeah, And I think obviously, yes, there might be cases like that, but I feel like because there isn't enough information on it and people speaking out about it because I really, like I said, I haven't really heard about it that much. I feel like that's where people's minds go. And even that I feel like creates a lack of understanding.
Candice
Yeah. Because it's bad enough that I already have the guilt that I could have gone in the middle of the night when she. Not in the middle of the night, but when she had woken up that night and was just awake, she was just.
Host
Right. And that's the thing. It's like even then, chances are you wouldn't have thought anything.
Candice
My mom keeps having to remind me too that say I did bring her in bed with me that night. She still could have passed away right next to me.
Host
Yeah.
Candice
So I have all of this guilt, but for other people to think that I did anything wrong. I think I did what any parent could do and that was the best that I could do.
Host
Right.
Candice
I. Her crib was empty. She didn't have any toys, no crib bumpers. She had her binky. She had a zip up swaddle blanket. Like we did everything that we possibly could to keep our baby safe and it still happened to us.
Host
Yeah. Do you speak out about this on any other platforms?
Candice
No. This is my first time ever doing something like this. I would have never, ever thought about doing something like this until I saw your videos and I saw that you have your guests come out and speak and tell their stories and lo.
Host
And it's so important, I think, especially with women, I think when it comes to so many different topics about pregnancy and birth and postpartum and all these different topics, I think that even though sometimes they might be talked about a lot, there's a lot of judgment around all of it. And I think whenever I see different people reach out to me with things like that, I. They're very relatable topics. I think just a lot of people stay silent.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
Because they are scared of shame, which is sad.
Candice
I honestly don't blame them. And I feel the same exact way because that's. I've been nervous this last few days about coming on here for the same reason. I don't want to get stuck in those comments of people being like, well, why didn't she do this? Why didn't she do that? And I feel like this isn't a place for judgment or forcing your still
Host
trying to understand why people think that this is a place to write that. But no, and I agree. And I always tell people, look, you've been watching. I just sit here and let you guys talk. And I still get comments about me. That's the horrible downside of social media. But that, like I was saying, these topics are something. Because obviously I have stories on here that are like, sometimes you read these titles and you're like, wait a second. Like, what the heck? And it is insane. There's also. There's just these episodes that are just so relatable, and I feel like they are so, so important to show people that you can have support and community without even really, like, directly talking to a person.
Candice
Right. Because it's a good way to put it.
Host
Yeah. Because there are these, like, groups and you can go to therapy and all of these outlets are great and can be really helpful, but I think there's nothing like being able to just open up a video and listen to somebody that has felt similar things as you or has gone through something. Sure. Like, wow, like, that is exactly what I felt. And that's the whole point of the show and why I love when people come on here and they really are willing to get vulnerable and explain how they felt and what they went through. And I think not only is it important to bring the awareness of your story and what happened, but then even, like, the aftermath, I always tell people, I'm like, please share, like, what's helped you and what's worked for you, because people are looking for that. People want to know, like, what can I do to help? Or what? Even if it's just the smallest things,
Candice
I think that's something that I was really looking for in the very beginning. Somebody that could relate. Yeah. We had tried a different support group, and you go around the circle and everyone's talking about how their mother passed away and how their aunt and grandma. Which, yes, that is just as sad. I completely understand. But as soon as they would get to me, every single person in that room, jaw dropped, like, nobody could relate.
Host
Yeah. And I think that's something else that needs to be understood by people, is, like you said, loss is loss, but they are. It's very different people. Even beyond that, people's relationships. One person's loss of a mom might be so different than another person's because of the relationship they had. So even just comparing is never.
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Host
Watch only on Prime. Yeah, because it's not always relatable.
Candice
It's not about comparing beliefs. It's about having people that understand what you're going through. And that is so hard to find right now, especially in my case. I found one tiktoker who I love her, but I can't remember her name. Her son had passed away from SIDS a few. Probably a few months before Delilah had. Wow. And I had remembered that she had made a TikTok about it. I didn't think anything of it, but as soon as Delilah passed, I went searching for her videos and she would talk about it openly. And she's still going, which I think that's another thing. Like, where do I go from all of this? I live every day as this shell of a human with a gray cloud over me 24 7. But I found it very helpful distracting myself. I go to school, I go to work, and that keeps me busy until it doesn't. I can't say that every single day I'm not thinking about her and wanting to be with her. Like, I'm the most depressed I've ever been in my whole entire life. But seeing that other women can push through and build on their grief and find their purpose in life and make their babies proud, it's been really inspiring and really helpful. Yeah.
Host
And I think, too, I think that it is something where it can help you find a purpose because it's almost like you're more. You're looking for it more now. When I think that it's something where of course, you have your son and you want to make him proud and you're living to be the best mom you can for him. And I think that you're always going to have that sadness and that cloud and she's never going to go away. And that's okay, too. I think it's finding a balance between, like, I'm here now. Let me do the best that I can for the people around me, for my son to even help others. Like you're doing right now. It might not seem like anything crazy. And a lot of people that come on here, they're like, oh, I just hope it helps at least one person. And I'm like, it reaches so many more people than that. It's insane how one story and one voice can just expand to so many. So even you having the courage to do that and be Open and be vulnerable. That is huge.
Candice
I really appreciate that.
Host
Of course. It really is. It's something that. It's so important. And I do think you should speak out more about it in whatever way feels comfortable and whenever that feels right for you. I always encourage people. I always say this, too. Everybody has a story. But I think that if more people were open and people saw that we don't have to be so cruel and judgmental, like, more people would just stop being that way. And I think that's, like, going back to what I said. I think, unfortunately, that is why people stay so silent and why we don't hear more about topics like this.
Candice
I also think that grief is such a huge emotion that it makes a lot of people uncomfortable and they don't want to hear it. Which I shouldn't be shamed for posting about my daughter or speaking about her or making that topic of discussion. Right. Like, I want to keep her memory alive. I will talk about her whenever I want to.
Host
And if people can go online and talk about politics and celebrities every day and that's their page, you know, everybody's entitled to do their own thing for their own reasons. I don't think anybody should have anything to say about that at all. But, no, I think that. I think it's amazing that you are speaking out, but also that you're keeping yourself busy. Because I do think in times of grief and sadness, I think it's really. It is healthy to let ourselves feel it and to sit in it for a little bit, but just not get stuck in it.
Candice
I think I have a really hard time sitting in it because I do get very depressed.
Host
Yeah.
Candice
For example, these last few weeks, I've just been in the trenches with school and work and trying to find that balance. I started a new job, so I'm trying to find that balance where I can do school, I can do work, I can take care of my son and take care of the house and everything. But I've been. It's really been hitting me these last few weeks.
Host
I think maybe two, because this was coming up. So it's just, like, in your subconscious. Like, it's like, I know that I'm about to dive into this and talk about it. I feel like maybe that is something too. I always tell people, like, I hope that, like, afterwards, for a lot of people, it is this even just, like, one layer of, like, a little shoosh that felt good to, like, get it out and talk about it.
Candice
I think also my biological dad, he passed away a few weeks ago. As well. So I'm so sorry. It's like that reopened all of the work that I had done this past year. I truly think that's, like, the biggest part of why I've been so down these last few weeks is it just reopened all of this work that I did.
Host
I think, too, with losing people, when it happens very close together, you start to feel like, what is going on?
Candice
Like, can I catch a break?
Host
Right? Like, is everyone around me just dropping? Like, I think that it's so sad and disappointing and confusing. And everybody always says the term everything happens for a reason, blah, blah. Which, like, okay, sure, maybe it does. But, like, that's not gonna help anybody. I think that I believe that we are in this human form for X amount of time, however long we're supposed to be, but our souls are always there.
Candice
She's there already?
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Yes.
Candice
And I get signs.
Host
Absolutely. And I do not doubt that one bit. Anybody that doesn't believe that they're insane.
Candice
So we actually had two celebrations of life for my daughter. We had one with our family in Reno, and then my boyfriend's family is in Bakersfield. So we also had a celebration of life there. The day after her celebration of life, his parents, they took us out to BJ's. Yeah, they took us to BJ's. And I want to backtrack a little. My daughter, the last thing she ate was spaghetti that night. I don't know. I remember everything she ate. Chunky girl loved to eat, but that was her last meal. So for the longest time, I had said, like, no, I don't want spaghetti. Like, can you people stop trying to feed me spaghetti? We went to BJ's, and I wanted the chicken parm, forgetting that it came with spaghetti. So as soon as I realized that, I was like, okay, I just need to get over myself. She's obviously telling me to just eat it. So I ate the spaghetti, and we're all finished with our meal. We're waiting for the bouzoukis to come out. And all of a sudden, hey there, Delilah comes on the radio. Her name is Delilah. When I was pregnant with her, I always knew that she was a girl. And I would hear, like, hey there, Delilah. And I was like, oh, my gosh. Like, there's no doubt in my mind that she's a girl and this is her name. So as soon as that song came on, I was like, I can't do this. I gotta walk out. But I knew in that moment that it was her. Like, she's here all the time. I just graduated from my CNA program in or during the summer, and walking out of my skills exam, I was really anxious, didn't think that I had passed. But I walked out and there was immediately a white feather there. And in that moment, I knew, too. Like, it's her. I passed that test. Like, I get so many signs from her. Not as many as I would like, but I know for a fact that she's still here. She's still looking out for me. She's telling me, like, mom, I love you. You're doing everything that you need to
Host
and you will be with her again.
Candice
Absolutely. I have no doubt in my mind.
Host
And I always say to people, it doesn't matter what you believe. That is just a fact. And because we are so much more complex and smart and incredible humans, we're just. We're not just that, we're souls. And you will be with her again. And I think that, like I said before, getting to a place where you find your purpose here. And like, I'm doing this now, but I will see her again.
Candice
Yeah, she's waiting.
Host
Absolutely.
Candice
We like to say that she's up with my grandma. She passed away when I was 16, taking care of her. She loved to craft, loved to do scrapbooking. So Delilah's just bumping into walls with her wings and. Right. Making a mess, but my grandma's up there taking care of her.
Host
It's just so sad. It's. Whether it's an accident, whether it's something sudden. It's very real. And I think that it's a. It's horrible because, like, it's horrible to lose anybody at any age and anytime. But, like, I think when you think about it, it's just so heartbreaking because it's like, that's still your baby. And I think it's very easy to think, well, what if this. And she was supposed to grow old and my kids were supposed to play happily? And it's. I think that those are very normal thoughts, but at the same time, they're thoughts that I think are only going to drive us nuts.
Candice
Yeah. Because I can't sit. It's heartbreaking. And think about it.
Host
No.
Candice
And unfortunately, drive yourself crazy. My mind just goes 24 7.
Host
Absolutely.
Candice
And I've tried talking it out with a therapist. I've tried seeing a psychologist to get me some prescriptions to help me. Nothing works. I've tried Zoloft for months and adding Wellbutrin and all. Any of those.
Host
They're not going to prescription.
Candice
Yeah. It's not going to take it away. And I understand it's supposed to support when you don't have those coping skills, when those coping skills aren't working. Those medications are supposed to be a backup. But I just felt rage all the time. I'm already like an angry person.
Host
Yeah, I think too, it's one of those things that in your mind you're like, if this isn't going to take it all away, I don't even need it at all. Like, why even try it? Wait, that's surprising. So Zoloft made you more angry?
Candice
I think adding Wellbutrin to it.
Host
Okay. I was gonna say because I started Zoloft, not probably over a year ago. And I was gonna. For panic attacks and I was gonna get off of it. Cause I felt like I was fine. But something that it helped me so much with was the short fuse anger feelings. Like now I don't. And I like, I swear I'm like convinced it was so much. I'm like, I don't want to stop because I feel like I'm so much nicer. So. Yeah, that's interesting. But I feel obviously with any medicine it's different.
Candice
Everyone for everyone.
Host
And trial and error.
Candice
No, I would pop off at everyone, anyone. I was already, like I said an angry person before, but now it's so enhanced. I'm angry at the whole entire world. Like, why her? Like.
Host
And why? No answer.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
Right.
Candice
Literally no reason.
Host
Yeah, that's what it seems like. And that's what it comes down to.
Candice
So frustrating.
Host
Yeah. And this is so as far as like, I guess your own research goes, there's. Are there still people, I guess with anything they'll say that the doctors are constantly researching. But has there been any like any type of newer research about SIDS at all or.
Candice
No, not that I can find. Find personally. We were actually supposed to go to a conference about sids.
Host
Yeah.
Candice
And I think they changed it to like just a zoom, like come in and hear everybody out. That was a while ago. I don't even remember what it was called.
Host
But I was going to say if you have any resources or anything that you have found or that's helped you, I would love to link it for people that.
Candice
It's just hard because the only thing that everybody says is keep the beds clear, do everything that we had already done.
Host
Yeah. And hope for the best.
Candice
Yes, hope for the best. That's basically all I've got. I've. I don't want to say that I've done a lot of research either. I've been trying to stay away from it as much as possible because I don't want to go and make myself even more insane than I already am.
Host
Yeah.
Candice
But there are a couple resources. I did a little bit of research for my CNA class. We had to do, like, presentations, so I did research for that. I just don't remember a lot of stuff. Yeah, my memory has been wiped ever since this happened too. They call it that grief brain, the grief fog. So I have a hard time remembering a lot of stuff too.
Host
Well, no, I think, like I said, I think that it's extremely important the more people that are willing to speak out about these topics and anything. Pretty much anything, actually. I feel like that's one of the beauties too, I feel like, is creating a safe space where people feel like there isn't any judgment. And I really feel like you should do that as well for yourself and for this. I feel like it can be. And maybe not now because I think sometimes talking about things can feel like you're continually like opening up a wound. But I do feel like if you find that there is a group of people that would we even want to create. Like, even if it's. People think it's funny, but it's so. You have no idea what people are searching for. Like, even if it is just like a small community of just like three to five women that meet once a month that have gone through something similar that even if they're all in. All across the world, but it can be like a FaceTime or a Zoom call just to. To check in. I think that, like I mentioned, it's so. It can feel like such a great support.
Candice
Yeah. I think something else that is really hard is finding somebody who's gone through SIDS with them being so far along. Because we know there's so many people who have experienced SIDS between the ages of fourth to six months. But anything after that, we have had a very hard time finding anybody like that. So I think that's something that I struggle with. I can relate to the women who have experienced sids, but I have not found anybody to relate to SIDS a week before their first birthday.
Host
Right. And I'd be curious if anybody listening would have a similar story or know somebody just to like, I was going to say even if it's just so that you could, like, if it was somebody that you could talk to. Just. I don't know. I think any of those things. The whole point is so that people don't feel so alone.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
And they feel like that's what I've
Candice
experienced is that I have my village, I have my mom, I have my dad.
Host
Yeah.
Candice
My friends. But it is the most. How would I put it? Isolating experience ever. I just feel like I'm.
Host
It's a battle all by myself. It's like this internal mental battle. It's like. And people can relate to that.
Candice
I think I'm scared too, because I don't want to go and hang out with my friends and bring the room down with me. Being there. I honestly feel like a lot of people avoid talking to me and hanging out with me for that reason. And that's really unsettling too. But I don't hold it against them.
Host
No. But people that. That goes back to what you were saying. People feel uncomfortable around grief. People feel uncomfortable around change. And whenever there's. To me that shows real friends. Because if there's ever this, like, unbalance if they can't show up.
Candice
And I think that's really hard too because I'm such. I'd like to think of myself as such a like, giving person. Like my love language is definitely gift giving. And I'm not saying that materialistic things are what brings friends together and everything. Yeah, that's something that I love to do for my friends. I love to show out. I love to be around them. I would love to just hang out with them on the couch and do absolutely nothing all day. But this whole entire year, at the beginning, when everything happened with Delilah, every single person, if you need anything, let me know. I need you to be there. I shouldn't have to beg and ask you guys to do anything for me. I just want you to remember I am going through the worst time in my life and I feel so alone. And there's only so many times I can go and cry to my mom without feeling like I'm bugging her, which I know that I'm not. But
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Host
And I've heard that a lot, too, that, you know, from a lot of people that come on here. They're like, it's not about the act of asking, it's just showing up.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
It's not even about doing anything. But it's just that I think even the reminder of, like, hey, wanna go do this today? Or just something to feel human again. Normal.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
Normal sense of normalcy.
Candice
Cause I have tried that. I have tried, like, reaching out to people and being like, hey, like, we're going to this. Like, if you want to, like, please feel free to come and hang out. Like, I'm not asking you to, like, one on one, because I know that we're super busy.
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Yeah.
Host
But then they'll not ask for therapy sessions. Like, you just wanna hang out. And I think that's where, once again, a lot of people don't know how to handle it.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
But I think. And that's with anything in life that could be lost, that could be a change. That could be. People don't know how to react and how to adapt to different things. If it's not on, if it's not what they understand or going through, it's like they just retreat. Which.
Candice
And again, it's not like I'm holding it against these people. Like, they're my friends. I love them.
Host
Yeah.
Candice
But if anybody else is going through a similar experience, like, I would want to be there, like, very annoyingly. Like, are you okay? Check in with them every single day. Like, I would want to be that annoying person after a while to make sure that they're okay.
Host
Right. It's the smallest things that make the biggest difference.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
For sure. Well, I'm so glad that you wanted to come on here and talk about this. I. It's always so incredible to me when people are like. And this happens. I would say probably 50% of the time, which is pretty big percent. But people will say, like, I never thought about sharing my story. The thought never crossed my mind until I heard other people sharing theirs. And I was like, that is so good, though.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
Because so many people are. It's like, almost encouraged to stay quiet or it feels more normal to stay quiet.
Candice
I think, again, it goes back to everyone Being so uncomfortable. So you make yourself quiet to not make everybody else uncomfortable. I'm uncomfortable every single day of my life now. I don't care if you're uncomfortable.
Host
Right. Well, also, I think there are some people where they naturally have that ability to talk to a camera. Like the people that do go through traumas and they're able to set up their phone and talk about it, which incredible. You know, I don't know how to do that. No, the fact that. And the fact that it reaches. That's one of the things I love about TikTok is it's created its own little community of people that have gone through different traumas and they can just relate to each other and you can discover these stories and it's crazy to me. And they're so quick. You can like, hear someone's life story in like a minute. But there's people that naturally can do that and there's people that can't. So I always say it's. I feel like I've created this space where somebody's always wanted to share, but they don't know how or where to start or it is so uncomfortable. I've. I do this online, but I hate setting a phone up and talking to. It doesn't feel natural. So, yeah, like, if I can give people a place where they feel like, okay, I can talk and say whatever I want and be honest and I know it'll reach people.
Candice
Well, I saw my first video. Honestly, it was back in August when I probably reached out to you. I think it was her birthday. When I saw your. One of your very first video. Well, not one of your very first videos, but the first video that I ever saw of you sitting down with somebody else and they talked about their story and I was like, oh, you're talking about trauma. And I have a lot of that. And I feel like it would be very helpful to spread awareness and be an advocate for my daughter and just do everything I can to let more people know that this is a real thing that can happen at any. I don't want to say any point because they do say that since is only up to the first year, but she was a week away from her first birthday. Right.
Host
Which makes you wonder how accurate.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
What they're like. You know what I mean? Like, I don't know. It just. There's so many questions that are left unanswered.
Candice
Yeah. Every single one of them.
Host
I'm sure there's things that have probably happened even after a year. We just haven't. There's not as much of it.
Candice
I don't think they call it SIDS afterwards.
Host
What's the term for that? I'm sure they're right.
Candice
Like, my mom said that my aunt had said something about it.
Host
Sudden infant child. Okay.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
It's just like. You know what? It's just like, Right.
Candice
I'm.
Host
I'm like, hello, can you give answers?
Candice
And, like, babies are just passing away.
Host
Right.
Candice
For nothing.
Host
Who knows?
Candice
No. There's people that bothers me.
Host
I would go, like, I would go nuts.
Candice
Yeah. They want to blame it on everything and anything. I don't like talking about this subject, but they want to blame it on vaccines. That's literally.
Host
You took the words of my honest. Vaccines. Yeah.
Candice
I don't believe in that. We've had vaccines for how many years? I would much rather take that risk to prevent my baby from getting sick from anything else.
Host
Right.
Candice
Which I don't judge those women that do that. Like, go ahead. It's your baby. Do what you want to. But I'm gonna do everything that I can to prevent anything from happening to the babies.
Host
I'm the same way. I'm like, you. Do you. I Do you. We don't care.
Candice
Exactly.
Host
But I also feel like if it was something like that, in my opinion. I'm no doctor, but I think that if it was something like that, they'd have more a reaction, some sign, like, something. I don't think somebody would. I don't think it'd be vaccines. And then you get an autopsy, and they're like, your baby was healthy.
Candice
Yeah.
Host
Okay. That doesn't make sense.
Candice
I feel like there would be more research if it were strictly from vaccines.
Host
Right. And look, that's not to say that it's the healthiest thing, but I do agree with you. I'm the same way with my animals. And I'm somebody that I'm, like, very cautious about what I feed them and what I. The products I use in the house. But do I want to risk my dog dying from Parvo because I didn't get her the vaccine? Like, that's just the example I can think of. But. But it's. Everybody's gonna have their different opinions and thoughts.
Candice
I don't like to think about the vaccines being the cause of sids. If that were the case later on down the road, we find out that vaccines. Then. Okay, Like, I will take that. Like.
Host
Right. But you're not gonna start. Yeah. Like, assuming things. No. And you can.
Candice
There's not enough research. Just. She just passed away in her sleep. It's like how older people pass away in their sleeps. And I'm currently going to school. I would like to apply for the nursing program in the spring, but I take biology, I take anatomy. And I've asked my professors before, like, what do you think causes this? And they don't have the answers either. Nobody does. But one of my professors, she had said. What did she say? That they should do more research about sleep apnea in younger children and babies. And I don't know how you would do that specifically, but they also need to do more research in the adults with sleep apnea and work their way down, if that makes sense. She thinks that could help with research. I don't know. She's educated.
Host
I know. It does make you think, though. Like, what else?
Candice
It leads you down that road of
Host
what could go crazy again.
Candice
Yeah. So.
Host
Right. Literally. So there's just constant cycle, which once again, just another aspect that I'm sure so many people can relate to, along with the guilt, along with the shame, along with the confusion, lack of understanding and knowing, and all of it sucks. But I think the right now, what you're doing is incredible, not only for yourself, but your family and for so many other people that are going to be able to hear your story. And it's very moving and touching and it shows a lot of strength and vulnerability. And I always tell people as well, you might not think that you're healed yet or anything, and I don't think we ever are fully healed. But you have to be at a certain place, place strengthwise, within yourself, to be willing to come somewhere, tell a stranger your story along with a public platform. Yeah, that takes.
Candice
Thank you.
Host
Courage, a lot of it. So give yourself credit because Delilah would be very proud of you for doing this.
Candice
Yeah, she's the reason why I do anything now. I'm actually planning on going to nursing school specifically to help people, especially babies. I would like to be a NICU nurse, help save babies anywhere that I can. I think I'm nervous to say that on such a public platform too, because I don't want families or hospitals to come in and think that my grief is going to overshadow the care that I give to their family members. I think it's only makes me more compassionate and empathetic. And I'm able to once again relate to parents going through such a tough time.
Host
No one should. If anybody thinks that, which I know that there are, excuse my language, assholes out there, they get it. They're sincere, they're sympathetic, they have feelings. To me, in my opinion, there's nothing worse than a cold hearted snake. Yeah, that's like talking to you like, don't you want like, like that bond, that feeling it like that's what humans are here for.
Candice
I want to sit there and cry with a mom if she's going through a hard time. I want to be there for her.
Host
Our world would be a lot better of a place if people related to each other more and more. Open and kind and not so cold. Just because it's your job doesn't mean that you have to act that way. Just because you went through something doesn't mean that you lack something or that you can't. You're not capable of doing something just as well, if not better than someone else.
Candice
Well, I also wasn't planning on going into nursing. I had originally planned to go in for radiology. I took an intro to radiology class for last semester and I had to do a radiology clinicals at our hospital. And of course they were working on a nine month old baby girl. So similar to Delilah, closer in age. The imaging staff was amazing and professional. But in that moment you just have this nine month old baby girl bawling her eyes out because she's in so much pain. And in that moment, I knew I'm not supposed to be here. Yeah, I'm not supposed to be behind the scenes. I'm supposed to be helping, caring for these infants. I felt like Delilah was guiding me in that moment. Like you took this class for a reason. To realize that radiology isn't for you and that you're supposed to be on the other side, hands on with patients, taking care of babies.
Host
And that's amazing. I think you absolutely should. Anything that you feel drawn to, do it.
Candice
I had no idea that that was gonna happen.
Host
I feel like that's when we are the most guided, is when we don't plan it and it literally it's given to us.
Candice
I didn't go to school after high school because I had no idea what I wanted to do. Not until a year ago. I thought I knew what I wanted to do. And then after everything happened with Delilah, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
Host
All right, this is it. This is my purpose.
Candice
Yeah. I'm turning that grief into purpose.
Host
And that can expand, that can change that can you just gotta. I always tell people, just go with the flow. Yeah, exactly. It'll all work out no matter what. And it only. It's cheesy. So cheesy. I hate to even say It. But genuinely, every single day, every single experience, it only makes you a strong, stronger human being.
Candice
I agree. Yeah.
Host
For sure.
Candice
Because even right now, I'm working as a CNA at a hospital, and I see these patients going through the hardest days of their lives. But I had a patient the other day, ask me, what's your favorite part of the job? And I had a difficult time finding the correct words. But I had just had an experience of a different patient who I thought I was going to lose. And he had a family member who was very emotional. And in that moment, I just felt, like, gravitated towards her because I just. All those emotions. I still have so many much emotion from my daughter, my biological dad, but I could have, like, relate to that person with not wanting to go through this and lose their family member. And I just felt all this empathy and wanting to be there. But knowing that I helped take care of that patient that day and help them get some dignity. If anything, just being there and caring for them and knowing that I helped them regain some of that, I think that's what really, like, changed that mindset of I am here to help and, like, take care and give back empathy and sympathy and being with those family members in me that are going through it emotionally.
Host
Yeah. I agree. That's incredible.
Candice
Yeah. But that this only happened a couple weeks ago, so it really has helped me realize I was going down the right path, where I was right.
Host
And everything is still so fresh.
Candice
All of it. Yeah. Because it was only last year.
Host
Right. And with each. With each week, month, everything, it will only. I think you'll only discover more about yourself and about the journey. And like we were saying, just wherever it leads you, be open to it.
Candice
Yeah. Because that's all this really is. It's big grief journey. There's no right or wrong way to do it. You're learning. Yeah.
Host
How to cope, how to move forward. And moving forward is very different than moving on. People don't really.
Candice
I like the way you put that.
Host
Yeah. And it's true. It's just figuring out what works for you day to day.
Candice
Because we're not moving on. We're not forgetting about her. We talk about her all the time.
Host
She's right.
Candice
Her ashes are right here with me. And not only that, I know that she's here with me. 24 7.
Host
Spring just slid into your DMs.
Candice
Grab that boho look for that rooftop dinner.
Host
Those sandals that can keep. Keep up with you and hang some string lights to give your patio a glow up Spring's calling. Ross.
Candice
Work your magic.
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Host: Devorah Roloff
Episode: Found My Daughter Dead in Her Crib
Date: April 26, 2026
Guest: Candice (with her mom Christine present)
In this deeply personal episode of We’re All Insane, Candice shares the raw and heartbreaking story of losing her infant daughter, Delilah, to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) just one week before Delilah’s first birthday. Candice offers a candid, unfiltered narrative of the events leading up to Delilah's death, the aftermath, her journey through overwhelming grief, and the confusing search for answers that families face after losing a child to SIDS. The conversation touches on themes of guilt, the inadequacy of current research, parental anxiety, and the critical importance of community and vulnerability in healing. This episode stands out for its unguarded emotion, making it a vital listen for anyone affected by infant loss or seeking to understand its impact.
Candice details their safety measures: Breathable mattress, fitted sheets, zip-up sleep sacks, binky clipped, empty crib, sound machine. “We did everything right that you can do as a parent.” (06:54)
No answers:
Misconceptions: Candice explains that accidental suffocation and SIDS are often lumped together in statistics, obscuring the real numbers (08:20–09:33).
On research:
Coping:
On medications:
Candice’s new path:
Candice’s hopes for others:
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:20 | Candice’s introduction and recounting Delilah’s last night/morning | | 04:30 | Discovering Delilah and the emergency response | | 06:34 | Police/crime scene protocol and using a doll for investigation | | 07:31 | SIDS explained, lack of answers, ongoing fear | | 09:37 | Autopsy results and the mystery of SIDS | | 11:04 | Coping with grief, son’s way of processing | | 13:24 | Grief timeline, support groups, Candice returning to school | | 17:15 | Guilt and judgment from others | | 22:16 | Connecting through stories, the importance of community | | 25:31 | Spirituality, signs from Delilah, moments of connection | | 32:13 | Medications, mental health, differences in experiences | | 35:08 | Support groups, the search for community especially after late SIDS loss | | 37:00 | The isolation of unique grief | | 41:04 | The need for friends to show up during loss | | 49:39 | Newfound purpose: shift to nursing, empathy in medicine | | 51:12 | “Turning grief into purpose” | | 53:34 | Moving forward versus moving on, Delilah’s enduring presence |
If you are affected by infant loss or have a story to share, or wish to support others, you can find more resources and community through local support groups (such as Pregnancy and Infant Loss groups) or online platforms.
For more episodes or to share your story, visit: wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com or We're All Insane Podcast Story Form