The Best and Worst of Times

This last week has been the most wonderful and difficult weeks of our lives. We have been on an emotional roller coaster of elation and despondency.

Ilan Joseph Nassau arrived last week on August 24th at 10:53. He weighed 8.6 lbs and was 19.25 inches long at birth. Ilan is an Israeli name meaning tree. We pray Ilan grows up to be the man who is like a tree firmly planted by the rivers of water (Psalm 1:2-3). Mom showed incredible strength and endurance during labor, giving birth without the assistance of pain relievers. Abba is so proud of both Dana and his new son Ilan.

Here is a daily recount of our roller coaster ride.

Thursday 24th - Dana spent the day in early labor. We went to the hospital around 7:00pm. Dana spent the next 3 hours or so working through some really strong contractions. A little before 10:30 Dana's water broke and she began to push for about 35 minutes. We were so excited when Ilan arrived a short time later at 10:53.

Friday 25th - We spent the day adoring our new baby and receiving visitors at the hospital. His crying was rather irregular; therefore the pediatrician had his oxygen intake monitored for a couple of hours. Although his oxygen levels were fine, she contacted an ENT to examine Ilan's breathing. We began to worry about Ilan's condition.

Saturday the 26th - The ENT came early in the morning and ran some tests on Ilan. He diagnosed Ilan as have bilateral paralysis of his vocal cords. The vocal cords have three functions. They close to create noise and keep food out of the airway. They also open to allow breathing. Since Ilan's vocal cords are paralyzed he is not able to get the amount of oxygen needed for a child to develop properly. The ENT said that Ilan will likely need a tracheotomy so that he can get enough oxygen and possible surgery in a couple years to fix his vocal cords. He wanted to run some tests to see if there might be neurological causes. The sonogram of his brain came out completely normal. Ilan spent the afternoon on the monitor for more observation. We spent the day in tears. After the monitoring our pediatrician decided to release Ilan to go home, but we would have to use a home monitor on him while he is sleeping. We actually felt relieved about it because every parent worries about their child's breathing while he/she sleeps. At least this way we would have something to alert us if he is not breathing enough.

Sunday the 27th - Ilan came home from the hospital and tried to get into a routine. We really love our little boy Ilan. We are excited to have Ilan home, but are worried about what he may have to go through in the coming months.

Monday the 28th - I began emailing and contacting anyone I knew to ask for prayer for Ilan's condition. I also continued in our preparations for Ilan's planned bris (circumcision) on Friday morning. We tried to learn whatever we could about vocal cord paralysis in infants.

Tuesday the 29th - Today all of Dallas Seminary prayed for Ilan during chapel and before the start of every class. People from around the country told us that they were praying for Ilan. In the morning we had a pediatrician visit. She told us that his cry is getting worse and instructed us to see the ENT again. That afternoon we went to the ENT"s office for a more complete examination of his throat. The ENT used a scope to look down Ilan's throat and showed us his vocal cords. It looked like the left vocal cord was twitching, which he said was more movement than on Saturday, but he wasn't sure there was actually twitching because it could have been from the other movement in the area. He recommended we have a tracheotomy done the next day. We were devastated by the news.
I had alerted people to pray for Ilan already, but at this point I contacted whoever I could to ask for fervent prayer for Ilan. The seminary continued praying for him in chapel and in classes, several churches prayed and many friends and friends of friends were fasting and praying around the country. That evening several neighbors (some of whom we had never met) came over to pray and lay hands on him. We have been truly overwhelmed and blessed by the support we have received. Yet our hearts were broken over the difficulties ahead for Ilan.

Wednesday the 30th - The whole day had a dark shadow over it. How could it not? We were praying and hoping for a miracle, but prepared for the worst. We cried more in the past week than we ever had before. We met the anethesiologist and the ENT in the recovery room and they went over what they were planning to do. The first step was to send a scope in deeper for more assesment and to see if any other part of his airway is obstructed. He would then come talk with us before performing the tracheotomy. When he came into the waiting room he said, "We're finished the examination and I think we're done for the night." We couldn't believe our ears. He said the left vocal cord is now moving. He was really surprised and doesn't believe he is immediate need of the tracheotomy. He wants to keep observing him to see how his condition changes. Amazing. We have witnessed a MIRACLE. God answered our prayers and we avoided the tracheotomy. We are not out of the woods, but there is soooo much more hope than the night before. Please continue to pray that his vocal cords will have full movement.

On Tuesday night Dana and I said to each other that we believe God can heal Ilan, but we just weren't sure if He would. Why does God heal some and not others? There are thousands of people who have prayed for this little boy and have had their faith encouraged by God's answer. I know that there are lots of people who don't have a relationship with God, but have seen Him work on our son's behalf. Both Dana and I have been changed so much by this experience. We have understand the pain of having a sick child and have seen how the community of faith can rise up to support each other when we are in need. We have understood the power of prayer and we will never be the same. We were surprised by God's goodness to us even though He has a history of amazing us with open doors and provision. Why do we doubt His benevolence toward us? He has been abundantly better to us than we deserve. Right now our hearts are filled with gratitude.
I don't think we will feel completely at ease until the Dr. says that both vocal cords are moving, but I have faith that God will continue to heal our son. Please continue to pray with us for his recovery.

We have experienced the power and importance of community. In our individualistic society I often forget the importance of community. Many people have come up to me with tears in their eyes to tell me that they are praying for Ilan. We are overwhelmed by the love we have experienced from so many people. We have also seen the power of prayer. I know that God is capable of miracles, but I don't usually expect to see them in my own life. God has answered the prayer of thousands of people.

We believe God will completely heal Ilan. Please join us in fasting and praying for Ilan's complete healing.