Monday, May 02, 2005

Laura and I live on the second floor of a brownstone in Brooklyn. Our landlords live on the first and fourth floors.

Jack and Delores are not your regular retirees. They didn’t move from the city to the suburbs for more land and more space after retiring; they moved from the spacious suburbs back to the crowded city. They both were born and raised in Brooklyn. Jack remembers Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Delores remembers the good ‘ol days when Brooklyn was more intimate and not so chic. Jack is a retired fire fighter of the FDNY whose ears perk every time a siren is heard and tears up when talking about 9/11. They claim they moved back into Brooklyn to stay young, informed and within reach of museums and shows.

They live on the first floor and bought the brownstone with their son Erik who lives on the fourth floor. Erik was a member out at my sister’s and her husband’s church in West Islip. Erik is the neighborhood historian who can tell you, in detail, the history of Boerum Hill, the neighborhood in which we live. He is now part of the Brooklyn church plant, Christ’s Church for Brooklyn.

I can’t even begin to tell you about Jack’s, Delores’s and Erik’s generosity and kindness. They have been more than our landlords. Delores has watched Sophia for us and Jack is quick to help us carry in groceries when we have a big haul. Erik allows us to use his washer/dryer free of charge and has even done some of our laundry during this journey with Ira. It’s not unusual to get a card from Delores or a knock on the door from Jack seeing if everything in the apartment is working correctly.

And as if that isn’t enough on the third floor lives the other renters, Yael and Bryan. They too are filled with graciousness and kindness. Yael is a third year law student and Bryan is in a MBA program at NYU. They have watched Sophia, walked our dog, baked us cookies, loaned us books and DVDs and are just about willing to do anything we ask of them.

Through this journey with Ira it’s nice to know that good people who genuinely care about us and our well-being surround us. It’s good to know that when we come home at night after a long day at the hospital friendly faces will greet us. We are blessed to have these people in our lives.
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Ira had a hard morning on Sunday. It wasn't a surprise as Saturday was a hard day for him. In spite of his stats (or numbers) being low he spent a good thirty minutes wide awake this Sunday morning. Laura and I stood there with him holding his hands and singing to him. I was relieved to tell him of the win the Yankees finally experienced on Saturday. We taped a picture of Sophia to his bed.

After lunch the neonatologist came to me and told me that he was "concerned" about Ira.

Ira was heavily relying on the ventilator and wasn't making any progress in being weaned from it. In fact, the opposite was happening. While the nitric oxide gas was helping a bit, it wasn't enough. The morning x-ray showed that Ira had collected too much fluid in the chest and the neonatologist was suggesting to the surgical team that some of the chest fluid be drained. The second problem was that Ira's right ventricle in his heart was not fully working. Because of the pulmonary hypertension the right side of Ira's heart was not being able to do the work necessary. He suggested that Ira go on another medicine along with the nitric oxide to help that problem out.

If these two measures (draining and the added medicine) didn't help they would have to put Ira on the oscillator (another type of ventilator). If that didn't work, the doctor said, there was nothing else that could be done.

The surgical team did drain the fluid in his chest and they immediately saw good numbers. The use of the ventilator came down significantly this evening and Ira's stats were pretty good; not great, but good. For now they are not using the extra meds.

This roller coaster is quite ride. I'm a fan of most roller coasters but definitely not this one.

12 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know that you don't know me, but I want to tell you that I am on my knees for your baby and your family. Since I found out about this site, I check it every day and pray and cry and I just want you to know that I'm fighting along with you in prayer for baby Ira's life. He is so precious, a beautiful angel!


'Blessed be the Lord, who would not give us up! Blessed be the Lord for His unfailing love...Our help is in the name of the Lord, Blessed be the Lord!'

12:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You know, one good thing about roller coasters, wild as they are, is that they hold lots and lots of people. You guys are definitely in the front car, and there are streams of people tagging along...

Hang in there, Ira! You're strong and brave and you're doing great. You look at that picture of your sister and listen to your Mommy's beautiful voice and your Daddy's sports commentary, and you feel Jesus cradling you even during the "no touch" times. So many people love you and pray for you constantly, because Jesus has given all of us just a tiny little taste of HIS LOVE for you! You can do all things - because He is giving you the strength.

Keith, Jen, and Leah Johnson

1:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Joe, as I was reading about your neighbors, couldn't help but think of something I heard recently: "All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action." Your neighbors and landlords sound absolutely wonderful--it is such a comfort to know that you and Laura and Sofia are being well cared for. And please know that a world of people who would love to shoulder some of this load for you are doing all they can do by praying constantly that Ira will respond to the treatment he is receiving. Love you so much, Aunt Jackie

2:09 AM  
Blogger JP said...

Joe,
I have so much respect for you, that you are able to keep us all updated during this rollercoaster ride. You guys will continue to be in my families prayers. My wife and I went thru difficulty when our daughter was born. She was in ICU for a while. She was born with a breathing apnea associated with immature lungs. Stay strong brother your christian family is here for you guys. I won't hold anything against you for being a Yankees fan.

7:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Joe and Laura,
I wish I could bake a dozen cookies or do a load of laundry for you... You have wonderful neighbours and that is a blessing.I keep reading your comments daily and praying for your family, for Ira and Sophia, Kay and Harvey and all the people I don't know who are anxiously waiting. Ira is so cute on the pictures!
God is on the throne, in all circunstances. To Him be the glory forever and ever.

9:17 AM  
Blogger Jana said...

A SERIOUS rollercoaster ride...but like the Johnson family wrote...there are a bunch of us in the cars behind you. We are still praying for Ira. Love y'all.

9:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We are all so honored to be kept informed and not left wondering what is going on up there. We are in continual prayer for Ira and all of you. I love you, Fortress loves you, but most of all God's love will never fail you.
Kaki

10:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Father be with Ira today, and may your Spirit move in everyone who comes in contact with him. Be the hands of those who take care of him, and give him your strength and your energy Lord.

Father be with Joe and Laura and Sophia--surround them with your peace, and give them your strength and your energy Lord.

we're praying for you guys.

cody b

10:57 AM  
Blogger The Root said...

God, please heal little Ira. You are so much bigger than his ailments. Please give him more of the strength he has displayed since his birth and guide the hands and minds of the doctors that are watching over him.

Joe and Laura, much love and many prayers. I can't begin to empathize, but I know that times like this can cause serious crises of faith and despair dousing your hope. I pray for strength and tenacity for your entire family, Ira most of all.

12:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am friends with Houston and Karen Helflin. I am a NICU nurse with 20+ years of caring for tiny sick babies. Trhough Karen I have been following your journey with Ira from before he was even born. This is one of the toughest birth defects to deal with in the NICU. I can tell from what you write that you are being cared for in a great NICU with all the lastest care options. For that I am very grateful for you, and I pray Ira will be a CDH survivor!
Carla Holland

1:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Father God, We offer You our praise because You are Creator. We thank you for the gift of babies who you have blessed several of us with. As the Creator of little Ira, You know every cell...how it works, what it is supposed to do. Please cause every littlest part of Ira's body to work, so that he can heal, and eventually go home with his family. As Father of Laura and Joe, and Sophie, please whisper in their ears of Your love and presence with them. Amen

Beverly McCallon

5:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for opening a window to your hearts as you share your journey with all of us. Thank you for your vulnerability; it makes your faith so evident. Thank you for your honesty; your trust in HIM is a witness. Thank you for your gratitude; it at once humbles and refreshes!! May your FEEL the prayers of all who have been permitted to catch at least a glimpse of your journey. Thanks for permitting us to love, via the BLOG and through prayer, Ira, and Sophie, Laura and Joe. Please know we at Christ Covenant continue to PRAY!!
dm Beaumont, TX

9:12 PM  

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