I wrote this on Sunday night, the 24th:
Laura and I were sitting with Ira when we noticed a couple taking the NICU tour. The nurse doing the tour stopped the couple and started pointing in Ira's direction with specific attention paid to the ECMO machine. Later that day we listened to a grandfather talk of his grandbaby's situation. They were going on three months in the NICU.
Laura and I can't imagine going back in time to those days of NICU tours and waiting for Ira's birth. And we can't imagine going forward in time to days of waiting that soon turn into months. All we know is right now and it's hard.
Ira had a hard night not responding well to the weaning of the ECMO machine. It was hard to be with him this Sunday morning as he squirmed and shivered. Laura and I didn't stay long. We returned to our room and cried ourselves to sleep. We don't want him to hurt.
It's Monday night now and Laura and I have returned to sleep in Brooklyn for the first time since Ira's birth. Laura was officially discharged on Saturday but we managed to talk the NICU charge nurse into staying in the NICU suite for a couple of nights. (The NICU suite is a very spacious and comfortable room for parents who are transitioning babies from the NICU to home.) It was hard to leave tonight but it was made a bit easier due to Ira having a good day today.
He responded well to the weaning today. The surgeons were pleased and will do the surgery tomorrow at 1:20 PM. We'll spend the night in the NICU suite again tomorrow (Tuesday) night. They say that these babies take two giant steps backward after the surgery and that the 24 hours after are very critical. I have a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Oh by the way, Ira's offical birth weight was 7 pounds and 8 ounces and his official birth height was 21 inches. It's funny how those standard stats didn't mean much to us at the birth. But looking back it was good that he was a healthy size. Thank goodness Laura was able to make it to her induction date. Every day in the womb mattered.
Laura and I were sitting with Ira when we noticed a couple taking the NICU tour. The nurse doing the tour stopped the couple and started pointing in Ira's direction with specific attention paid to the ECMO machine. Later that day we listened to a grandfather talk of his grandbaby's situation. They were going on three months in the NICU.
Laura and I can't imagine going back in time to those days of NICU tours and waiting for Ira's birth. And we can't imagine going forward in time to days of waiting that soon turn into months. All we know is right now and it's hard.
Ira had a hard night not responding well to the weaning of the ECMO machine. It was hard to be with him this Sunday morning as he squirmed and shivered. Laura and I didn't stay long. We returned to our room and cried ourselves to sleep. We don't want him to hurt.
It's Monday night now and Laura and I have returned to sleep in Brooklyn for the first time since Ira's birth. Laura was officially discharged on Saturday but we managed to talk the NICU charge nurse into staying in the NICU suite for a couple of nights. (The NICU suite is a very spacious and comfortable room for parents who are transitioning babies from the NICU to home.) It was hard to leave tonight but it was made a bit easier due to Ira having a good day today.
He responded well to the weaning today. The surgeons were pleased and will do the surgery tomorrow at 1:20 PM. We'll spend the night in the NICU suite again tomorrow (Tuesday) night. They say that these babies take two giant steps backward after the surgery and that the 24 hours after are very critical. I have a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Oh by the way, Ira's offical birth weight was 7 pounds and 8 ounces and his official birth height was 21 inches. It's funny how those standard stats didn't mean much to us at the birth. But looking back it was good that he was a healthy size. Thank goodness Laura was able to make it to her induction date. Every day in the womb mattered.
posted by jch at
9:04 PM
20 Comments:
We're still showering prayers on all of you...
We continue to pray for Ira and all of you.
May you all sleep well tonight and meet tomorrow with strength.
Laura & Joe,
Our heart goes out to both of you as you go through this enormously difficult time. Thank you so much for your updates that mean so much to everyone that is continuously praying. Though we have no clue how deeply you are hurting, we hurt with you. Just know that our God is not I was, nor is he I will be. He is "I AM" & is with you in the here & now. Though you may have difficulty seeing him, He is there. He will make His presence known. It is at times like this that we loose focus on times past & think not about future times but live so heavily in the moment. We will continue to pray fervently for the "now" moment by moment.
Blessings,
Dianne & Cecil
we'll be praying
Tuesday is the big day - the day you've all been waiting & working towards. Little Ira can do this - I know he can! With God's help, and all the prayers going up continuously, Ira & the doctors won't fail you. Keep the faith. Love you Joe, Laura, & Sophia!
Weedon
Joe and Laura- Your faith amazed me when we were in college and it continues to do so. We are praying fervently for Ira.- Jeff & Erin
Laura & Joe,
I've been praying for you daily since finding out about Ira's problems several months ago. Our home group prayed for you tonight. One prayer that seemed especially meaningful was that you would see what God is doing in all of this. It reminded me of something our preacher pointed out recently in Genesis 20: that while Sarah was still barren, God had Abraham praying for someone else's wife to be able to have children. Sometimes God has us minister to others in our very area of weakness. I'll pray that God gives you strength to share with the others in need around you, the blessings you are receiving from the prayers of people around the world.
You'll also be touched to know that our Laura has been faithfully praying for Ira too. She's the baby that was born on your wedding day.
Jena Coffey
You can be sure that 1:20 EST tomorrow will find the Saints of God on their knees in fervent prayer and supplication. Holy Spirit, dwell in the hands of the doctors, in the body of Ira, and in the hearts of his parents and sister. Pour in a rushing river your peace and steadfast love.
Blessings, peace, and hope,
David, Karise, Keely & Kinlie G.
We pray for you tonight and will be prayerful tomorrow during surgery. May God bless His servants Joe and Laura.
Bundys
Joe and Laura:
Your precious family has been in our thoughts and prayers. We will be praying without cease tomorrow during baby Ira's surgery.
I pray that you get a good night's rest and wake up tomorrow feeling restored and rested. I know it will be a long hard day.
You are an amazing couple and have been such a witness to me as I have read and kept up with all that is going on!
Thanks so much for taking the time to keep everyone updated.
Betsy Huffaker Addison
Laura and Joe,
The Lord is hearing constant prayers for little Ira. My heart yearns to be near you...I'll have to accept the distance for now.
praying and praying
ca
The community of Christians here at Bellevue Christian School, in Seattle, Washington, have been praying for you and keeping a watchful eye on Ira's progress. We will be praying tomorrow for the surgery to be the gateway to Ira's new life with strong lungs and a healthy body. May your blessings be abundant...
Bobbi Isbell
Dear dear Ira,
Already you are impacting so many people. Thank you, Ira, for prompting me to come closer to the heart of God. I am praying that you will be strong and get big and healthy so you can grow up and laugh and play with Sophia. Your parents are precious and I pray for them often as well. I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow afternoon especially.
Dear Joe and Laura,
You and Sophia and especially Baby Ira are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We will definitely be praying today for Ira's surgery and recovery.
Love, The Murphys
As we prayed for sweet Ira tonight, this song kept running through my head....and so we closed the prayer by singing it.
"For all that you've done, I will thank You... for all that You're going to do. For all that You've promised and all that You are is all that has carried me through! Jesus, I thank You."
May His promises continue to comfort you and carry you through. I pray boldly for God to heal Ira and make him strong.
~Stacy Kocur (Fortress)
Dear Joe and Laura, I'm praying a special prayer at this time for Dr. Stolar and the other doctors and nurses who are attending to Ira--how many times I've prayed a prayer like this and not thought much about it. This morning, however, as they are preparing for Ira's surgery, I'm praying specifically for their knowledge, their skilled hands and especially for their hearts. From your posts, I sense that they have come to know just how special Ira is and how much he has already impacted the lives of so many.
God be with you all as you face this day hope-filled and strong. Aunt Jackie
Joe & Laura,
We will be saying a special prayer for Ira today. We love you.
David, Brenda, Matt & Tyler
The ladies at Fortress prayed for you all last night at Bible study and into the morning hours. I have been in prayer this morning. I love you and God is good, all the time. Kaki
My friend and I have prayed together this very morning that this is Baby Ira's day to begin anew with health and strength through God's power. The community of God is alive and praying for the Hays family around the world today.
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