A story about a little boy who was born at five months. He weighed as much as a 12-ounce can of soda.
Joshua Patrick Isaiah Noche is a survivor. He is more than that, though: he is a little Miracle.
At birth, Joshua weighed less than one pound: he weighed as much as a 12-ounce can of soda pop; and he was less than 11" long. He was impossibly tiny.
Joshua wasn't expected to live the day when he was born that warm June day; he was supposed to have been born in October, but he came early after his mother, Melissa, fell in her fifth month and her water broke; and as a result, she went into premature labor, where several hours later, she delivered a tiny baby boy in the hospital's maternity ward. Ever since, he has had to struggle for each and every breath, and now, nearly three months later, he is just about ready to be released from the hospital. He is still tiny in comparison to most babies his age, which is now 6 1/2 months old. He weighs 7 1/2 pounds now, which is the normal weight for a full term baby, and there are still some concerns regarding his physical and mental development; there is a distinct possibility of his having physical, mental, or neurological damage or problems.
Joshua, for all he has had to go through in his very short life, is still a beautiful baby, favoring his mother in looks. He has her thick, dark hair and huge, dark eyes, and he also has his mother's dimples and smile. He also has his father's olive coloring and his thin build; he has the best of both parents in his looks.
He is still dependent on supplimental oxygen, and he probably will be for some time to come. He had a lot of breathing problems during his time in the N.I.C.U., and he only recently was weaned off the ventilator only this past November, around Thanksgiving. He has a condition known as bronchiopulmonary dysplasia, which causes his lungs to collapse prematurely, and leaving him susceptible to any virus that may come along. He is on a whole schedule of medications, and he has had to endure numerous needle pokes and proddings, to make sure he is getting enough in the way of oxygen. Even after he is released from the hospital, little Joshua will have to be under a doctor's care, to make sure no problems come up, and to make sure that he is developing properly. He may need physical and occupational therapies when he is out of the hospital; and his parents are worried that they won't be able to afford the cost of his medical care.
The future is uncertain for this little baby, but one thing IS sure: he has the love and support of his parents, and he has a loving support system made up of grandparents, aunts, and uncles; and if they see to it, they will help little Joshua through whatever physical, mental, or neurological hurdles he may face as a result of his being born way too soon before his due date.
Joshua Patrick Isaiah Noche is a survivor. He is more than that, though: he is a little Miracle.
