Baby Ira
Baby Ira
It's Monday mid-morning and Laura and I are back in Brooklyn for a couple of hours. We found out this morning that Ira won't have surgery until Tuesday. He is having a hard time being weaned off the ECMO machine. This is not good. Our surgeon, Dr. Stolar, wasn't as positive sounding today as he has been.
The above picture was taken this morning. The left side of Ira's head is swollen. The unofficial term for it is "ECMO head". Because he lays on that side it collects fluid and becomes puffy. It's very typical.
Sunday was a hard day for us. We asked that there be an announcement made at church that no visitors come and the church family graciously complied with our request. We were greatly appreciative of all the visitors we received previous to Sunday but we needed a sabbath.
It's hard for Laura and I to see Ira in his condition. He shivers and shakes and he still contorts his face like he is in pain. Laura and I have often cried ourselves to sleep the last couple of days. And we wonder if we are asking too much of him.
We're having a hard time understanding God's role in all of this. The NICU is completely full at the moment with at least three other CDH babies. It's hard to watch parents come in and out of the NICU looking worn and weary. What does it mean for these innocent babies to struggle in this way? And what does it mean for some to make it and for some to not?
I'm not looking for your answers. We debated these questions endlessly in seminary but no answers were sufficient and as I peer into Ira's bed the answers are still lacking.
posted by jch at
10:39 AM
10 Comments:
No answers... just lots of prayers for all of you. God hears and cares.
Love you guys. It is hard to see your picture and not be able to reach out and embrace you! Still praying....
Cara and Michael
Fortress
I love you all. None of us have answers and yet we long for them. I feel your pain and continue to pray with you for Ira and God's graciousness and goodness for you all. I know this is the hardest thing you have faced in your young lives.
Elaine Schwenker
Joe and Laura,
Ira is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing the photo. It is hard for everyone who loves and cares for you to grasp even a little bit of what you are going through as a family. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Kristen and Mark Denner
Joe & Laura-
Thanks for sharing the photo and keeping us all updated. You are in our constant thoughts and prayers. God Bless your family.
joe & laura-
your baby is beautiful. my heart aches for you both and my prayers are with you and all of your family. may God bring you peace, rest and comfort. thank you for taking time to share your lives with me.
-newton dominey (nashville, tn)
Howdy Joe Clyde
Joe and Laura, we are about to take our six-year-old daughter to Houston to face her 9th heart surgery in May. I do understand the feelings and thoughts that are running through mind. I too have had the same questions, and worries about what God’s role in of this means. This is what I know, that God will only give you what you are able to handle, and nothing more. God has blessed ya’ll with baby Ira for a reason, and that is a blessing in its self. Look at this way that out of all the children born everyday in this entire world, God has blessed you with baby Ira for a reason. Which may bring you to the question what is God’s role in this? This is what I can tell you Joe and Laura, that God has a plan, but you need to ask the Lord what is my role in this? Ask God to continue to bless you and give you the wisdom, strength, and vision to see you through these challenges, and that your witness, be of His will.
Blessings
Andre J. Chapa
Blessings from Tahoka.....you can't imagine how many people are praying for all of you here.
You are being lifted moment by moment. I once heard someone say. "why me?" and God "why not you?"
Ira has already touched so many lives...only HE nows the plans HE has for Ira and for you uys...
Keep trusting.
Joe and Laura
through a strange string of events, David and I found ourselves at Tahoka church of Christ on Sunday to observe their part-time worship leader. We saw the tears and the love of a church who call you family. It was odd to arrive there not knowing it was "home" and then hear the prayers and talk. Odd in a comforting kind of way. We could join in their love and pain because we love you too.
Joe and Laura, Sophia and Ira...we love you so very much. Aunt Jackie
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