A turn for the worse

This is a hard update to write.

Thursday seemed just fine for Joseph. Mary, Ann and Sue spent all day with him and he was alert and at times even smiled. I held him until about midnight and when I left he was OK. He had thrown up a little bit but it was not a huge concern. Friday morning was a different story. He was laboring to breathe, had thrown up some more and when the cardiologist examined him he was showing signs that his heart condition was deteriorating rapidly. Up to now, I have not written much about his heart. By all indications we had more time. We were planning on easing into this point. Joseph's heart is on its own schedule.

Joseph was born with two holes in his heart. A large hole between the ventricle chambers (a VSD) and a moderate hole between the atrial chambers (an ASD) This causes the blood to recirculate through the heart and lungs more and less blood gets out to the body. To complicate things further he has a deviation that causes the outflow to be constricted. This would normally not be a problem but it makes the holes more problematic. It is not surprising to the doctors to be at this point, but it is surprising that we are at this point right now. Instead of easing him into surgery he is being stabilized to make it to surgery. The surgery will probably be on Tuesday but they could do it any time on an emergency basis.

Yesterday was a really horrible day---and yet it was inspiring as well. The shock of each update was tempered with the realization that Joseph is in the best place possible, with the best doctors, and so many people praying for him. The doctors are concerned but not alarmed. They are reacting to Joseph and are setting the plan according to what he needs. The entire cardiology department is informed and aware of Joseph and they are ready to correct his heart condition. Now we just have to wait and see where Joseph takes us. Currently, Joseph is heavily sedated and carefully watched. Time will move very slowly this weekend as they work to get him to Tuesday. He could use a few more prayers. By the notes and messages we have received we know he is being surrounded with prayer. Heaven is being bombarded with requests for the health of Joseph. There are masses and prayers being said by the Holy Cross Fathers, the Franciscans, the Carmelites, the Dominicans, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the Jesuits, several parishes, and a cloistered nun in the Midwest. There are individuals and families across the United States praying. This is what will carry him and sustain our family. As you pray please remember to mention the other babies in the NICU. There are about 50 babies in the almost always full third floor wing. Several do not have families and could use the extra boost of prayer.
Joseph still has a good prognosis and we are hopeful of a full recovery. I focus on that when it seems like this path is not leading anywhere. I am sure there are more surprises along the way and it is a path I would rather not go down. But go we must. Thanks to you--we are not alone.

God Bless you,

Kenny and Mary