Casi Rott was the happiest she had ever been when she first hugged her newborn triplets. She had no idea that the time she spent with them would be a fleeting memory that the youngsters would never forget. Casi Rott’s pregnancy went quite well. She and her husband, Joey, ran all the tests and took all the required precautions to ensure everything was in working order. They had nothing to be concerned about, or so they believed.

Casi was recommended to take a fertility medicine that would induce early labor when she realized she was pregnant with triplets—a high-risk pregnancy—but she resisted and decided to carry the kids until 34 weeks. The Kansas woman was temporarily relocated from their remote farmhouse to Wichita during her third trimester to be closer to medical treatment in case she needed it.

Casi gave birth to three healthy infants at 34 weeks through C-section on January 29, 2016, and they were kept in the hospital under close supervision. The happy mother rapidly healed and was released; but, two days later, she awoke with a terrible ache in her chest and a beating heart. Something went horribly wrong. Her husband took her to the hospital, and a CT scan revealed a blood clot in her lungs.

She was freed two days later after more testing was completed. The couple went to the NICU, thinking the worst was over, to spend time with their triplets, Asher, Levi, and Piper. They then drove back to Clay Center, Kansas, where their two older children, Tenley, then two, and Chloe, then six, awaited.

When they went to Clay Center, they left their triplets in the NICU with the intention of returning the following day, but things did not go as planned. Casi eased back into life as a mother, glad to be home after spending days in the hospital when the clot was detected. She washed and ironed the baby’s clothing, pumped breast milk, and baked cookies.

When Joey picked up his children from daycare, he informed them that he had a surprise for them at home, which heightened their expectations. The reunion of the mom and her daughters was touching, with many embraces and tears shared. Casi was happy to be reunited with her children, and the girls were thrilled to see their mother.

Casi’s joy was short-lived as she started having chest problems a few minutes later. She sat down to relax, but as the symptoms continued, Joey loaded her into their vehicle and took her to the closest hospital. He drove as quickly as he could, but the situation was severe; when his wife passed out in the driver’s seat next to him, she never opened her eyes again. When questioned about the incident, Joey said:

«I was emotionally numb. It didn’t seem genuine. It was without a doubt the worst moment of my life. The doctors and Joey both tried their hardest in the hospital, but nothing worked. Casi was gone for good. «I was attempting to wake her up,» the adoring spouse said at the time. The [doctors] worked on her for quite some time, but there wasn’t much they could do. Casi’s passing was difficult for those she left behind.

Joey characterized her as «ideal»—one of those individuals who really cared about others and was always ready to go out of their way to make them feel better. She worked as a secretary at the local elementary school and was well-known for assisting the students whenever they needed assistance, often at her own cost. Dealing with her death was difficult, particularly for their girls, one of whom, according to Joey, often spoke about her mother and how she had gone to paradise.

Joey was struggling as a father and mother to five children, three of whom needed extensive care and attention. He had to do his grieving while changing diapers, cooking meals, and playing with his children. He wondered what Casi would do if there was an issue as time passed. He understood one day that Mom would have advised him to accept his responsibilities since it was up to him to raise the children in his own manner.

Friends, relatives, and caregivers have been on hand to assist Joey, who has elected to stay in the house he and his late wife shared. Well-wishers also came together online and raised more than $100,000 for him. His parents, Barbara and Chuck, live about seven miles away and were kind enough to assist him with the children. Barbara, a nurse, described the encounter as bittersweet since Casi had been her daughter.

She also mentioned how much her son had to learn since he used to solely assist his wife, but once Casi died, Barbara stated, «he’s the mom and dad.» Joey refused to dispose of Casi’s belongings, which included her several artworks, after her death. He said it was too difficult for him; nevertheless, one thing he has no issue doing is making sure his children understand how much their mother loves them.

After the birth of their second child, she told him, «If something happens to me, please make sure the kids know how much I love them.»

To that end, he keeps their memories of her alive and has continued to raise them in the manner he knew she would have preferred. Moving on after his wife’s death had seemed difficult at first, but as Joey discovered, destiny never brings a person a struggle they cannot conquer.

The father commented on Facebook on July 1, 2020, «I apologize as it has been a long time since I’ve last provided an update.» The triplets are four years old and preparing to begin their second year of preschool. Tenley and Chloe, their older sisters, will be in the first and fifth grades, respectively. And as for me, I remarried a few years ago, and we just welcomed another child, Dawson, into our family. They’re all growing up quickly and doing well. At the Rott household, there is never a dull moment.

I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe during these unusual and hard times!