Coping with loss and holding on to hope

Saturday's devastating earthquake has affected the lives of millions of people in Sichuan and beyond. It's impossible to describe the full experience of those injured in the tragedy, those who've lost relatives and friends, and the soldiers and volunteers participating in rescue operations. But here's a small snapshot of what the past 60 hours have been like.

Cries of pain from devastated parents fearing their little girl might never open her eyes again. 11 year-old Huang Siyi was struck by a falling wall during the earthquake.

Death was literally at her doorstep. Doctors had to amputate her right leg to save her life. Though still in a coma, she is at least out of immediate danger.

Kang Yan, physician of Huaxi Hospital Intensive Care Unit, said, "We've given her some sedatives, there is the possibility we may be able to take her off the ventilator and she can breathe on her own. From what we've seen, she's now in stable condition."

But cries for help can still be heard throughout the disaster area.

Harrowing pleas... a constant reminder of the damage done and the tough work ahead.

Dr. Su is from a hospital of the Chengdu Military Area Command. As an emergency response veteran, Dr. Su participated in the rescue operations in Wenchuan Earthquake 5 years ago.

So far he and his team have performed 8 surgeries and treated 110 patients.

Dr. Su, NO. 42 Hospital, Chengdu Military Region, said, "We were air-dropped by an Air Force helicopter into Baoxing. This area was hit very hard by the quake. We'll take our medics deeper into the disaster area tomorrow."

In a time of tragedy, it's hard to find moments of celebration. But at the wedding of bride Chen Jing and groom Zhuo Jia, they're honoring more than just their new marriage.

The bride walks down the aisle and bows to relatives and friends, but the groom is nowhere to be found. He is fulfilling another commitment.

"Honey. The wedding ceremony just started. Don't worry. Everything is fine."

Chen says she is marrying a man of courage and responsibility.

Chen Jing said, "I was once a soldier myself. I understand that when the country and people need help, you don't hesitate."

And the death toll continues to rise, cries of new life bring hope to the devastated region.

Born just hours after the deadly earthquake, Xin Long has brought joy to a family who's lost everything else.

His first home is a makeshift tent, but it's filled with all the love he needs.

An estimated 1.5 million people have been directly affected by the earthquake. But even those outside of the earthquake zone have felt grief. "We are all one family," this vigil organizer says. "A family helps each other, and a family sticks together."

Special report: 7.0-magnitude earthquake jolts Ya'an