Joshua had a deep impact on those who met him. There was an innocent angelic quality about him which drew people to him.
The following day we returned to the hospital. Joshua's condition remained unchanged. There were no answers yet. Jessica was released two days later. Dr Rodriguez felt the baby had aspirated some of Jessicas body fluids while coming through the birth canal. She had also been given antibiotics she was resistant too. Joshua remained in the hospital for ten days, and was finally able to come home. We were all overjoyed!
Joshua cried all the time. Jessica couldn't cope with it. When he was three weeks old, he came to live with my husband and I. Frequent trips to the doctor did not help him much. We tried different formulas ,he remained congested. When he was about a month old, I suspected he was blind. A specialist confirmed our fears. Predestination had delt us another vicious blow!
Joshua was unable to hold his head up. His arms and legs were spastic. He was congested a lot. I took him to Dr Rodriguez every week. Finally one of his associates saw Josh and admitted him to the hospital right away. Tests were done, and Josh was transfered to All Childrens Hospital in ST Petersburg. He began having seizures.
Finally after more tests, a diagnosis was given. Joshua had cerebal palsey, gastric reflux, a seizure disorder, his metabolism did not work right and he was blind. They did not exspect him to live to be a year old. He needed surgery at once to put a tube into his stomach to be fed by.He had been aspirating some formula into his lungs. Rick and Jessica agreed. The news shattered our world. We were over come by disbelief, fear and pain. We held each other, cried and then asked for the hospital chaplan to pray with us and baptize Joshua. As he prayed, some of our our fears abated. We knew God would watch over our precious baby.
The surgery was a success. We all learned about tube feeding, mixing special formula, and mouth care and physical therapy.
Three weeks later, Joshua came home. Jess and Rick freqently came over. She would help care for him here, but she never wanted to take him back home to live.
Joshua's hospital visits were frequent. Daily life was a struggle for him and us. He took medications for seizures through his stomach tube. Eye drops were applied as needed. Oxygen was continous. We had to keep the head of the mattress elevated, so he wouldn't aspirate his formula even tho it was given via his stomach tube. It also helped him to breathe better.
His crib was kept in our living room with a monitor attached to it so we could hear him at night. Our lives and world revolved around him. We loved him so much! Joshua was our grandson, but became like one of our own children. We'd hold him, rock him, love him. I sang little love songs to him . I could feel his love for me too. A deep bond developed between us that never has been broken. I called my self his grandmother, mother.
When his first birthday came, we all rejoyced. What did those doctors know, we asked? They were wrong, we
said. Everyone felt a little relieved. Time would tell what would happen next.
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Reviewed by Julie Leek
10/6/2023
Thank goodness for Grandmothers. My mother sadly suffered from serious mental health issues which caused her to be unable to care for me properly. When l was 5 my parents marriage finally collapsed and my mother walked out. Who came to the rescue? My paternal grandmother who had already raised 8 children of her own. My father remarried and went on to have 3 more children. However, his new wife had no intention of having me, so l lived with my grandmother until l met and married my husband. Now as a mother myself l realise what a self- sacrifising person she was, just like Grace.
Joshua was your little angel here on earth. The photo I saw of him is so darling, such blonde hair. Jessica wanted you to raise him as you were stronger than her, but she came to visit and help too. Sometimes it is meant to be that way. You were so helpful and she will be helpful to you in your illness and your husband's too. Prayers go out to you. God will bless you when you get to Heaven for doing all the good things in your life that you did and still do. Love, Lois Christensen
Now we know what Joshua's problems are: insurmountable odds, but love and compassion in deciding to raise him as your own. No greater love...powerfully penned.
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
