Monday, May 09, 2005

Ira is pretty stable these days. Nothing really changed over the weekend. Weekends in NICU (and probably other hospital departments too) are pretty slow. That's nice because things are a bit quieter but a little nerve-wracking since your favorite docs aren't around. Here is where Ira stands as of today:

He is still ventilated. He isn't using nearly as much of the machine as he was a week ago. Instead of hovering around the 70-80% mark he is using around 40-50% of the machine. That's pretty good. He is still being medicated with nitric oxide and flolan (prostacyclin) but has been weaned from the milrinone. All these medicines treat Ira's pulmonary hypertension...which is still an issue. I talked with Dr. Stolar today and he said Ira's heart is still a concern. It's still working pretty hard and this is obviously not ideal.

The ECMO machine required that two significantly sized cannulas be placed in Ira's neck. (You can kinda see those cannulas in the pic on Apr 25 and the bandage on Apr 30.) They took those out recently and closed the area with stitches. They took the stitches out this past Friday. Ira will have a mean looking scar on his neck.

The surgery to repair Ira's hernia required an incision right below the left rib cage. They then were able to pull down the stomach, spleen, intestines, etc and put them into their respective places in the abdomen area. However, the skin in that area wasn't enough to close the incision so they patched Ira temporarily with a goretex patch. (Did you know goretex had so many uses?) So he has this goretex patch that will be removed and the incision closed up within the next couple of days.

The next steps are these: Ira needs to be weaned from the nitric oxide and then the ventilator. The flolan might be something Ira goes home with. Finally, Ira will need to learn how to eat. Let me give you an example: our friend, Baby Ava, has made significant strides. She is learning how to eat but because she didn't develop that naturally upon birth she doesn't know how. The first time she was given a bottle, she got some of the milk in her mouth and just kept it there. She didn't know what to do with it. Wow, huh?

And just when you think things are going good things turn. Our friend, Baby Lily, "crashed" this weekend. Whereas she too was making significant strides one of her lungs collapsed this weekend and was immediately back on the oscillator, nitric oxide and milranone. (Lily's mom does not mind me sharing this and would appreciate your thoughts/prayers.) Lily's been in the NICU for six weeks and counting. Lily's mom is one of the strongest and most determined people I know. Laura and I have learned much from her.

9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Joe,
Thank you for the update and for explaining what it all meant. We continue to plead with God for Ira and will pray for Lily also. Love you guys!

Kaley and Karl

7:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We are glad to have the update Joe. So many at our church have asked about Ira and we continue to pray for him at home and with our church family. We put our hope in Him.
lisa c.

8:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Joe-Thanks for the update today. I was hoping to be able to read one and was blessed to find it. I'm encouraged by what you wrote concerning Ira's condition, and I realize that this is a process. So, I'm not thinking that he's completely in the clear, but I AM ENCOURAGED... and very THANKFUL for the prayers that have been answered in such positive ways. Keep writing and updating, keep talking to the Lillys' moms (and dads)that you know up there. And, know that I will also pray for her and her family.

I liked hearing/reading the calmness in your words-maybe you don't feel peace; maybe you do... but, God's putting peace into your words as you talk to others.

Peace and love to all of you, my family of friends in NY.

TStack

9:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

JOE,LAURA, & SOPHIA,
IT IS LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR TO HEAR OF IRA'S PROGRESS. I KNOW ITS HARD TO GET HOPES UP , BUT YOU KNOW THESE BABIES ARE LITTLE FIGHTERS AND ARE DOING THERE VERY BEST. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR UPDATE. I CHECK DAILY TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING AND SAY A PRAYER FOR ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS BABIES TOO. GOD HAS A PURPOSE EVEN THOUGH WE DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS. WE JUST KNOW WE HAVE FAITH THAT HE WILL DO HIS WILL AND EVERYHING WILL BE OK, IT MAY TAKE A WHILE BUT IT WILL BE OK.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL WITH HIS LOVING GRACE AND MERCY. JANET,CURTIS, & CODY HARVICK-TX.

10:46 PM  
Blogger The Root said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

12:49 AM  
Blogger The Root said...

Ira, we're praying for you, buddy! We know you're fighting hard. God bless you guys

12:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We are still praying for Ira, Lily & Ava,too. May God continue the babies' progress & pour out blessings on the families & doctors. Talked to a friend at Fuller whose niece was a CDH baby. She just turned 39! Hope!
Love & prayers,
Dave, Karise, Keely & Kinlie

1:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Joe & Laura,

We've been praying for you this week since we were re-directed to your blog via Noah's. Glad to hear some progress has come Ira's way.

God Bless,

Marcie & Fred Muñoz

8:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Joe & Laura,

I'm so thrilled to hear that Ira has decreased his need for the ventillator and some of the meds. Thank you for taking the time to explain it all. We are praying that God will completely heal little Ira. And that He will bless you both with increased faith and patience - and strength as you are tirelessly dealing with all of this. Great is the Lord! We will also pray for the other NICU babies - and Noah. Thank you for telling us about them.

Lisa G. -- Madison, AL

12:29 PM  

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