Joshua..
when you first get the news that you're expecting, it is the most exciting news that you will ever hear. Then, there was the first ultra sound, very cool right, but there was a discovery that changed how we would prepare for our first child. It was discovered that Joshua could potentially have a bilateral cleft and palate. Very tough news, but we prepped for the worst and did all we could to help get ready for this new little guy to come into this world.
We prepared as much as we could as we approached the final trimester, and all was ready in the home. Joshua decided to come a bit early. When we arrived at the hospital, our doctors reassured us everything was fine. As we went into the delivery room, we knew what to expect when Joshua was born. However, because he was born prematurely with a bilateral cleft and palate, the decision was made to move our little boy to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis as they would be be best equipped to get him the best care he needed. So off he went.
This started the long journey: many weeks of going to the hospital and visiting the hospital seeing my son under a curtain for oxygen as his lungs were not quite developed yet but were coming along just fine. Everyday I was surround by some of the best nurses that you could meet. They knew our little guy pretty darn good, giving us updates on his daily progress.
Joshua had a very rough first few weeks, as along with his cleft, he developed sever reflux, causing him to stop breathing. His first surgery was to repair the flapper to fix his breathing and to insert a feeding tube to ensure Joshua was getting the nutrition he needed.
After surgery the staff was very helpful making us more comfortable with the feeding tube and general care for Joshua.
We gauged his progress in small steps. It was great when he was moved to a semi private room with his own crib with a rocking chair so could hold the little guy. Such a fighter with a big smile!!
In all Joshua spent almost 13 weeks at Childrens, supported by some of the most wonderful individuals that you could hope to care for your child.
Unfortunately, Joshua was taken from Jason and Kelly far too young. There were underlying issues that resulted in Joshua leaving them on August 9, 2004. Jason is forever grateful to the loving care that Children's staff gave to Joshua. Please consider supporting Children's so that they can continue the important work they do every day!
