A young mother from Dartmouth is dealing with a pair of devastating losses, including the death of one of her twin daughters and being displaced by a fire the next week.

Shannon McDonald’s 18-month-old twin daughters Nyla and Nevaeh Kennedy recently saw a doctor for a routine checkup and shots.

“Nevaeh was healthy, she was happy, she was lovable,” said McDonald. “She put a smile on everyone's face that she met.”

The next day was McDonald’s birthday. When she went to wake up her girls, Nevaeh didn’t respond.

“Instantly, something in my chest, that big scary feeling that every mother has that their kid is supposed to be sleeping, and they are going to be dead. I felt that before I even touched her,” said McDonald.

The toddler was rushed to the hospital, but couldn’t be saved.

“I couldn't leave the room,” said McDonald. “I couldn't leave her for an hour after I knew to tell everyone because honestly it still doesn't feel real, it feels like a nightmare.”

The McDonald’s couldn't bear to live in their home where the little girl died, so they moved in with family. Tragedy struck again when the apartment caught fire last weekend.

Their temporary home was damaged by smoke. They've been offered another unit in the building for now.

At the time, McDonald was most concerned about recovering her daughter's ashes from the fire.

“I tried to run back in and they wouldn't let me, so I begged and pleaded for about two hours until I found an officer and he went and found a firefighter and he went and got them,” she said.

Now the family is trying to get settled and keep up with bills. But McDonald just wants to know what caused her daughter's death.

They've been told autopsy results could take six months.

“I do hope I get my answers to those questions because I need some type of closure. I need to know why,” said McDonald.

McDonald is thankful for the support she's received, but says nothing will ever take away the pain of losing Nevaeh.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl.