Wednesday Afternoon - A Josiah Update

Hi Again Everyone ... this one should be brief ...

Josiah is doing pretty well. He's back to having a familiar nurse today which is o-so-good. Yesterday was really tough: we had a nurse who could really care less. In short she was abrasive, had no crib-side manners, a really short fuse, avoided parents, an arrogant way about her, no compassion at all, and refused to listen to us, the experts with our boy. We've butted heads or had conflicts with nurses in the past, but we've always been able to make amends and work with them and more or less respect them and their ways too. Nope. Not this time; she was scary. She really scared and frustrated the parents of the other infant she was covering, so I'm confident in our assessment of her.

Marie was compelled to bring our complaints to the charge nurse (first time in 8 weeks we've complained about anything) and Marie said it best: "I don't care what you do, but we are not having that nurse again." It was the first time I have ever felt like telling the nurse to get lost and that I would take care of Josiah myself, and it was the first time Marie ever was scared about the care Josiah was getting. In the past we may not have like the nurse's approach, but we knew Josiah would be OK. Yesterday, we knew he was only going to make it by God's goodness and not by that nurse! I was within inches and minutes of creating a blog where moms and dads can brag about or blurt out the good and the bad of their NICU nurses. I even had a URL picked out in my head: NICUprosandfoes.blogspot.com! Catchy, isn't it?! But today is better and that's all I'm going to say about that! Case closed and moving on!! :D

Marie was able to sneak off to her parents' place for the night. It was the first time she has left Vancouver for a sleep since Josiah has been born. She did pretty well, I think! I was able to be with Josiah a while during the morning before I left for Abbotsford. The doctors are still not sure if there is anything wrong with his heart: maybe we'll learn more throughout the day.

Marie and I are praying about a controlled-extubation for Josiah this Friday. A doctor who is really good with Josiah is on that day and we're asking God if know is the time to give Josiah a chance to breathe on his own; maybe I shouldn't call it 'breathing on his own' as I should say ... give Josiah a chance to breathe by God's support and ability. So, if God's been speaking to any of you about that, let us know! :)

Also, I've been continually praying for God to keep people praying for our guy around the clock. If you wake up in the middle of the night with Josiah on the mind, pray for him and reward yourself with a cookie or some leftover Easter chocolate ... or paska if you have any in the house! You deserve it ;)

Thanks to my family for dropping by today (even though I didn't get to hang out with you): Uncle Dennis & Aunt Alita, Erin & Carley H., and Uncle Gord H. Hmmm ... have I missed passing props to anyone this week?

Thanks for keeping us in your minds and prayers, and making us a part of your daily routine. We will never be able to fully express our deep gratitude to everyone: there just isn't the words - nor the time - in this world to do so.

Thanks.
In God's Love.
- Andrew, Marie & Josiah