Tuesday, September 19th
Today we are trying to figure out what to do with ourselves now that we can’t convene at the hospital as easily. (The NICU waiting room is not a comfortable place to be for a long time.) Spending long days in the hospital isn’t fun, but it does give you a place to be together and a way to get information as it is available.
Today the news is good. They’ve begun the slow process of weaning Nolan off the ventilator. They started by reducing the tidal volume a little bit. Today they will also start feeding him a bit of Kara’s milk by tube, which will help him get the many benefits of breast milk. Yay!
He looks good, and especially stylish because he has a glowing fiberoptic blanket under him and blue lights over him to treat jaundice/excess bilirubin (a common problem). He wears a mask to protect his eyes from the light therapy. And, he has a glowing red foot! (I’m not sure what it is, but I’m guessing it is some kind of sensor.)
Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 11:36 pm
Not knowing what to do with myself, pained by my distance and powerlessness - I took the day off from school and climbed through sparkling aspen meadows to pray from a beautiful mountain top. Nolan and family - I just so wish I could be there …Love.s
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 1:38 am
Maria, thank you so much for putting this together. Somehow it is comforting to have all this information - and espcially the picture of this sweet, tiny baby. We are holding you all in our hearts and praying for the best possible outcome for Nolan.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 2:08 am
maria, thank you for doing this! At last we have a place to go to exchange info and generally just be together. I’m grateful for Nolan’s life and for the loving family he is blessed to be part of.
When I looked at his picture, I had the funny experience of seeing his ARM, of all things, raised slightly toward his head, and I - I fell in love! Gretchen
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 5:51 am
Kara, Ronan, and Nolan - All of my thoughts and prayers are with yoy at this moment. A little bit of prayer will go a long way in this sitation and you will get more than a little bit of prayer. God bless you.
Carolyn and Lynn - Let us confirm our faith in a life that is full of love, and be aware of all of God’s blessings in a world that is filled with distress. May God bless and comfort you as my heart goes out to you.
Maria - Thank you for creating this idea and implementing it. This is the most beautiful and wonderful thing that you could have done. Peace be with you
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 7:43 am
Dearest Kara,
You and Ronan and your beautiful Nolan are constantly in my thoughts. I offer this prayer for healing from the Jewish tradition for all of you:
May the One who was a source of blessing for our ancestors, bring blessings of healing upon Nolan and Kara and Ronan, a healing of body and a healing of spirit. May those in whose care they are entrusted be gifted with wisdom and skill, and those who surround them be gifted with love and trust, openness and support in their care. And may they be healed along with all those who are in need. Blessed are You, Source of healing.
All my love,
Catherine
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 8:17 am
Kara, Ronan, Nolan…I just wanted you to know I’m thinking about you all the time in these really hard days. Seeing the picture of Nolan LaRue remiinded me that this is also a time of miracles and beauty - what a beautiful amazing little life! I hold him and you all in my heart. I know how exhausting the ICU can be so if there is ever any little thing you need please call (338-2792). Huge love, E (and Jen too)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 8:38 am
In October of 1937, a Charlotte woman who was 51/2 months pregnant suddenly and unexpectedly gave birth in her kitchen. The housekeeper, thinking that the tiny boy (less than two pounds) hadn’t made it, wrapped him in newspaper and proceeded to tend to the mother. Then she heard a “squeak”, and discovered that the baby was alive. The rest is the history of Chapel Hill surgeon Woody Burns.
I just learned this story yesterday, and it gave me great hope, especially since neo-natal technology has made so much progress in 69 years.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 8:51 am
Dear Ronan and Kara,
Our greatest hopes and warmest thoughts go out to you and your newly formed family.
Please tell Nolan “welcome to the universe” for us.
With gentle love,
Deb, Devon, Dean and David
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 9:34 am
Ronan & Kara - We are lifting many, many prayers for your precious Nolan. Have good hope! The specialists at UNC are wonderful! We know that the Lord is guiding the doctors and nurses as they minister to Baby Nolan.
Love and Prayers to you all! - Judy & Carlton Batten
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 10:00 am
Ronan & Kara - Out thoughts and prayers are with you. Our son Cole was born in 2002, at 25 weeks, weighing 1lb 10oz. Today he is a healthy active little boy. Contiune to pray and find strength from each other and your family.
P.S. I am a co-worker of Judy Batten, friend of Kara’s Mom.
Love and Prayers,
Julie & Tommy Masten
Roxboro, NC
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 10:01 am
Kara & Ronan, So glad to know that you are home and so hoping that being home will allow you to rest. We are holding each of you and Nolan in the light with all of our love - Saw two shooting stars, while lying in a field Saturday night thinking of you and made the strongest wishes possible for you both and for Nolan. I can feel the strength and love of you, your family and the vibrant community of all those who care so much for you encircling beautiful Nolan. We love you dearly. I have faith. - Heather & Family
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 10:09 am
Dear Kara, Ronan, and Nolan,
You are in the middle of my prayers and heart,
with love,
SaraCarter
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 11:25 am
Hi Kara & family.
You may or may not remember me from CFS long, long ago, but I heard about the birth of your precious baby from Lori & Logan Carter. I had my son at 30 weeks and know the NICU experience well and felt very inclined to drop you a quick note. Try to rest your body , but so much more easily said than done when you just want to be at the hospital with your baby. We are lucky to have these NICU staffs to care for our littlest people as they are truly angels on earth. You all will stay in my thoughts.
Gillian (Jill) Redfearn Korwan
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Kara and Ronan
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing your parents Carolyn and Lyn for some time. It was nice meeting you at Carolyn’s retirement party. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you both and Nolan. God still performs miracles. Nolan is an example of that fact. Remain hopeful.
Maria I appreciate your setting up this site so that we can share in this experience with your family.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 12:11 pm
Oh wee Nolan, what a love-generator you are! My goodness, you’ve opened so many hearts, tapped rivers of love, and you’re not even a week old!
Kara and Ronan and families, you are all in my thoughts and prayers all day long. Seriously. All day! This morning the sun light was so shiny, clear, and inspiring coming through the tree tops against a Carolina blue sky. I was reminded of what a good healer nature can be, in addition to all that amazing modern medicine. So, in case you missed the sky, I sent a wish for you each to have a shiny, clear, and inspiring moment today. Hope it finds you. Nolan has a tremendous core team in all of you so don’t forget to take care of youselves.
Oh, and I’ve dubbed myself an honorary auntie so I guess I’ll need a T-shirt at the next family reunion…
All my love,
Kirsten
Contacts: kwkrueger2003@yahoo.com; Cell 919-259-8080; Home 942-4376; work 544-7040 ext 322
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Love generator is right! It feels like the very atmosphere is buzzing with the energy of love that’s pouring out towards Nolan and Kara and Ronan and families. I think all day long about my love for these wonderful people I know, and my love for for this beautiful boy, and marvel at the powerful force of this young life to generate all this love.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 3:54 pm
All of us in the mountains are thinking of all of you and send positive thoughts and prayers.. XXOX, Cynthia
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 4:11 pm
Hi Karna Jean an Rahnin!
Cowboinin’ say he happy dat ebruhtang gwinin’ better wit yaw, n he canna wait to see bebe Nolan and playnin wit he. We send yaw many lubinses,
Leeniemae