Hi, my name is Noah Abner Clark. During my 20-week ultrasound, I was diagnosed with a severe right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Essentially, my diaphragm failed to fully form, and thus, many of my abdominal organs (namely my liver), herniated into my chest which in turn inhibited the growth of my emergent lungs. The average survival-rate for babies specifically like me is around 50%--a proverbial coin toss. My mom and dad thought that perhaps in-utero surgery would be best, but they ultimately decided that for my case, surgery after my birth would give me even a better chance to survive.

In order to find the finest care, my parents consulted with or actually visited many far-away places, including San Francisco, Houston, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Denver, Baltimore, and Seattle. Ultimately, however, we decided to travel 3500 miles from home so that I could be born and live at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in sunny St. Petersburg FL. My doctor is Dr. David Kays and my nurse is Joy Perkins. You should pray for them.

My road will be long, one potentially wrought with many setbacks and "close-calls." I'll do my best, but I would appreciate some much-needed help. So if you would, pray for me. And if I don't make it, still know that it is "well with my soul."

Sincerely, your pal,
Noah

P.S. You can learn more about what I'll be experiencing if you watch "Adam's Story"--a video my folks found while surfing the web. Right-click HERE.
P.S.S. Check back regularly to see my blog updates.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

NOV 22, 2016--Tired, Tired, Tired

Good morning to all of my friends, especially to my new ones from the great countries of Turkey & Chile. No seriously, that was neither a food pun nor planned for the week of American Thanksgiving. I really do have two new friends from those countries.

In any case, it looks like after thirty-two days I have finally broken my parents' will. And who can blame them? They have been by my side for 24 hours a day since I was born. Its not that I make things helpful--I'm always taking medicine; my spaceship bed beeps all of the time; I want to eat and then not eat; I then spit up and then need to eat more; and I seem to always need an x-ray or other kind of test. For the last thirty-two days I have tried and tried to train them to sleep throughout the day with me, and it finally looks like I've accomplished my objective!!!

So, if you see my parents soon and they seem a bit cranky from infantile-induced sleep deprivation, please know that its all my fault. Sleep well my friends. Your CDH pal, Noah Abner.

P.S. There may be a big announcement on Thanksgiving Day!
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6 comments:

Stephen & Mildred Broadwell said...

Hang in there family! We're praying for you every day.

November 22, 2016 at 11:31 AM
Leslie Fraser said...

Glad to see you have such a great sense of humor Noah, we're all rooting for you and your family! :)

November 22, 2016 at 11:33 AM
Unknown said...

It's great to see your daddy catching some much needed sleep! I'll keep saying my prayers that there is an exciting Thanksgiving announcement. Heck, I'll be even happier with an announcement the day before! ;)

November 22, 2016 at 5:28 PM
Tommy said...

Hey Noah Pal, I'm sure Mom and Dad can live with sleep deprivation knowing you are getting stronger by the day. Loving your last pics....cute as. You really are a little trooper.....

November 23, 2016 at 12:40 AM
Anonymous said...

Donna said... Seriously!!! You are keeping us in suspense?! You are a little scamp ��. Glad you tortured your parents in to submission. Go Noah!!! D x

November 23, 2016 at 1:18 AM
Mammawinansetc. said...

Go Noah, go!! Sleep to Mom and Dad and the tribe will lift your name up in faith!

November 23, 2016 at 6:23 AM

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