Josie News

I wanted to share an update on Josie, since so many of you have prayed for her and asked about her. For those of you new to her story, you can read a couple of posts listed under Josie's Journey.

Below is a letter from her parents letting everyone know what's what in the world of Josie, so I'm just going to copy it verbatim. And include her picture because, well, she's just stinkin' cute!

Happy Halloween 2009!

Rather than our scheduled vacation to the Outer Banks for Josie's 1st trip to the beach - we spent the majority of September with Josie in Akron Children's Hospital. After almost 2 months full of appointments & tests to get answers as to why Josie was experiencing violent gagging & choking episodes every day, Josie endured a complex surgery which lasted 4-1/2 hours & involved 5 procedures to her esophagus & stomach.

Post-surgery, Josie's feeding routine changed which caused Josie much discomfort & mommy to "go over the edge"! However, now, her feedings are going well and she has significantly less gagging & choking. Josie is still not taking anything by mouth, but is making great progress with putting solid food to her lips and sticking out her tongue to taste things.

Late September, we met with the kidney transplant team at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and began donor testing for daddy or mommy to give Josie a kidney. To everyone's surprise, mommy was not a match for Josie. Daddy & Josie had further testing on October 8th. We should have those test results at the end of October - thus the reason for our delay of this note to you! I was hoping to have more specific information to report to you on this.

Developmentally, Josie continues to amaze us every day! She is just about 24 pounds and sitting on her own. She is standing on her own while holding onto the couch and will take steps while holding onto someone's fingers. Just today, she pulled herself from sitting on her Dora chair to standing at her activity center - all by herself!

Our continued thanks for your love, prayers & support - we will update you again soon.

All Our Best,
Louie, Jean Marie & Josie

Yeah, Josie! As you can tell from the picture, she's growing like a little weed, and has met her weight requirement for the transplant surgery. I know her parents are grateful for your prayers for this sweet gift from God. Please continue to keep her kidney transplant needs in the forefront of petitions on her behalf.

As I am updated, so will you be also.

PS: While I've got your attention, would you also pray for Stellan, if you're not already? He's been in the hospital for the past couple of days or so with his heart condition (SVT) and is not out of the woods. Unknown as to what actions will be taken once he's stablized and his meds are levelled out again, whether he'll be allowed to go back home, or will need another ablation even though they are trying to put it off until he's grown more, or what. Check out MckMama for updates.

Thanks for being the awesome, supportive, bloggy friends y'all are - God Bless.

A 1st for Josie

Josie reached a fabulous milestone recently - her 1st birthday! April 30th was a definite day of celebration for her family.

Praise God!

So, a few updates about how she's doing:

* Weight is 21 pounds, 8 ounces - Josie is being fed through a feeding tube in her belly called a Button. Her mommy feeds her every 1-2 hours.

* Less than 10% kidney function - it looks like they most likely will not be doing dialysis and will wait instead for a transplant. I'm not sure exactly what all the criteria is that she has to meet before she'll go on the transplant list or why not dialysis at this time - if/when I find out, I'll pass that info along as well.

So, dear friends, please continue to keep sweet Josie in your prayers.

Lord, you love this child as You love all children. Bring healing to Josie, who is not well. Stay by her side and comfort her through this trying time. Keep her parents ever mindful of Your loving presence. Bless Josie with Your powerful healing, and comfort her family. Thank You for hearing our prayer!

St. Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death, listen to us who are pleading for this sick child. We thank God for the great gift of Josie and ask him to restore this child to health if such be his holy will. This favor, we beg of you through your love for all children and mothers. Amen.

Sweet Lil' Josie

I just wanted to give y'all a peek at the little girl so many of you have offered prayers for over the past few months.

You may recall that Josie (one of our Donatelli relations) was born very premature at the end of April. My mom shared with me a couple of weeks ago that Josie is now in need of a kidney transplant. Her current weight is 12 lbs, and she needs to reach 22 lbs before the doctors will do a transplant. She eats via a feeding tube, but I don't know if this is a recent addition or something she's had all along. Please continue to prayer for her, specifically for her transplant needs.

As you can see, Josie is a happy little baby! You can't help but smile when you see that little face! What a sweet blessing she is!

Thank you to everyone who has asked about this little miracle, and prayed for her. I know her family appreciates each of you for your kind thoughts and prayers. I'll continue to keep everyone updated with any news or prayer requests for Josie that I hear about.

Y'all are an awesome prayer team and support system for me and my family - you just need to know that!!