A little boy born several months premature continues to battle the odds.
Joshua Patrick Isaiah Noche is now ten months old; and he is a Living Miracle of God.
He was born only five months into his mother's pregnancy; he should have been born the following year, in June, but thanks to a fluke of nature, his mother, Becky, went into premature labor, and as a result, little Joshua entered the world far too early. He was born over four months too early. At the time of his birth, Joshua weighed only 12 ounces, as much as a full can of soda, and he was less than a foot long in length. He was impossibly tiny, and doctors did not hold out much in the way of hope for his survival; or, if he DID survive, he would more than likely be permanently handicapped, either physically or mentally.
He was in the hospital for over two months, most of that time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where he battled for every ounce of his tiny little life. He did have some serious breathing problems which still need attention to this day (the little boy is still on oxygen, and there is no telling on how long he will be on oxygen), and he also has some neurological concerns; doctors fear he may have cerebral palsy, but they want to wait until he is older to test him, and want him enrolled in a therapy program for physical and occupational therapy.
But now, Joshua is home, where he belongs, with his family; and times are now, at present, very happy for the young Noche family.
Still, even with all his special needs and the concern, little Joshua Patrick Isaiah Noche is a beautiful little baby, with wide, dark-brown eyes that miss very little as he looks about himself, a shock of wild, thick dark-brown hair, and a dimpled smile that can light up a room. He laughs and chortles often, and he is a very happy, placid baby with an even temperament. He hardly ever cries; the only time he DOES seem to cry is if he is sick with another respiratory-related illness (these often put him into the hospital) or hungry; any other time, and he is usually laughing or cooing happily as he continues to discover the world about him and gets to know his parents, Bob and Becky, his daddy and mommy. He also will get to know his big sister, Jarisa Nicole, who is a "big girl" at the age of 2 1/2, and his older brother, Juano Ortiz, who is six. Add two parents and six dogs and sixteen cats! So you are talking about one busy household!
Joshua's parents are concerned about Joshua's future, in terms of disability and not knowing what he may do or accomplish; but they are hopeful, and both have a deep-seated faith and hope in their Lord God, and they are determined to look at the bright side of things and rely on God to help them get through whatever hurdles young Joshua may face as he continues to grow and develop. Even if Joshua WERE seriously physically or mentally disabled, they are still determined to give him the love and nurturing that he needs in order to grow into a happy, well-adjusted little child; and they are determined to help him overcome whatever problems or challenges that may come his way.
this strikes home in a very personal way, knowing we are tiny miracles of God...together weighing 3.5 pounds--by the Grace of God, we survived, with few disabilities...our experience allows you to pen profoundly moving stories, as this one is--well done!
In "A Touch of Your Presence" are words that would inspire, encourage and strengthen one's soul when faced with challenges and difficulties and to know the awesomeness of God's power.
Joshua Patrick Isaiah Noche is now ten months old; and he is a Living Miracle of God.
