Nolan the contrarian learns to say “no”
Nolan is feeling contrary today and decided that he wasn’t ready to do as the doctor said. He’s continuing to do very well despite the expectation that he would be struggling now. He stayed about the same all through the night and has been stable today, so we are counting our blessings and hoping that this trend continues. I know we have all learned that good times are always followed by down times, in that “three steps forward, two steps back” manner (though sometimes it feels like we’re walking in circles even with the forward movement), so we are trying not to lose sight of that inevitability… but WOW, our spirits are sure lifted for the moment. We’ve been in the low point for so long that it just feels great to get some good news and to know that Nolan is getting a break from the hard hard struggles of the last week.
Kara and Ronan are a bit better than the rest of us at keeping it all in perspective, but still I know that they are happy to have this time right now. One of Nolan’s nurses who is very careful not to raise hopes too high (her own or ours, so as not to make the inevitable fall so hard) said she was surprised and very pleased with Nolan’s condition. Hooray!
I’m slowly getting some older pictures uploaded into the photo album. This is a picture from Ronan’s first kangaroo with Nolan last week.
Oh, and I wanted to correct my earlier statement about the bruise and the ultrasound. Turns out the bruise was on his skin and he had external swelling there, which is not a usual presentation of anything (one veteran nurse said she had never seen that in 20 years), and that is why they decided to do the ultrasound. The ultrasound showed an area of concern, but they weren’t sure whether it was necrotic tissue or not, leading to the question of whether to put him through surgery or not. Or course, Kara and Ronan and the doctors made an excellent decision there.
Thanks for all the love and support and shared joy!
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 2:21 pm
This is just the cutest picture I have ever seen. I think you should make cards–as if you had the time–and sell them. I know I’d buy a hundred and use them as Xmas cards. What better gift than that little baby boy and that look on his daddy’s face…
love, peapod
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Yeah, you show ‘em, SuperNolan! and Happy Birthday.
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 3:58 pm
Yeay Nolan!
Keep up the good work, we are cheering for you. What sweet sweet pictures!
Love to all of you,
Kelly and Matthew
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 4:43 pm
Nolan is a superhero,maybe like Thor, giving his mighty hammer a swing to make some thunder and show the docs that he is serious.Love the pic. The way Nolan is looking up at you and the joy on Ronan’s face is purely magical. Nolan keep it up.
Sending more love and always thinking about ya’ll.
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 8:50 pm
Maria, you are amazing. We love you, Nolan. A special hug to your precious grandparents, Carolyn and Lynn. They are superheros and stubborn like you. Love the picture of you with your daddy.
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Hi Nolan! Congratulations on your 4 week birthday! We really like the picture of you and your Dad! Keep on growing!
Love,
Devon and Deborah : )
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 9:42 pm
There was a small lad known as Nolan
The child of fair Kara and Ronan
His family was proud
and oft they ar loud
But they witnessed young Nolan a’ growin’
Stephen
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 11:22 pm
So glad to hear that Nolan is doing well and confounding the dubious! Keep up the good work, young man. You are all in our prayers– Miranda, Phil, & Griffin