Joshua has been congested since he has been 2 months old. We have been in and out of the Doctors office for the last 3 months. First, we all thought he had some sort of cold that would not go away, but the little guy was happy with no fever or any other symptoms except for congestion. With all the doctor visits, he ended up taking a total of 3 antibiotics and tried various prescriptions to help clear up his congestion. Poor little guy just wasn't getting any better. Our doctor referred us to a specialist, which was booked till February. Shelden and I knew that this was going to be something he was going to grow out of. We prayed for him and God gave us peace that this is not something serious and that he was going to be okay.
Well the last 5 days or so, he seemed to be getting worse. I am not sure if he picked up a slight cold but he was waking up in the middle of the night with coughing attacks and had a hard time breathing, especially while eating. I called our doctors office and left a message with the nurse to get back to me. She said she was concerned after hearing what was going on with him so we took him in for an appointment yesterday. She also called the specialist and got them to bump his appointment up for the next day.The nurses checked his vitals and the oxygen level in his blood was coming up really low. They put him on a breathing treatment to see if his oxygen level would go up and it didn't come up as high as they wanted it to so they sent us to the hospital. The doctor told us that his level was at the point where they start to talk about putting someone on an oxygen mask. That was a little scary to hear! We left the doctors office and dropped Micah off with his Nana, and picked up some things from home then went to the Emergency Room. We got their and it was packed with people. It was Joshua's turn to get checked in, get his ID bracelet and get his vitals checked again. We then both heard the nurse say the number 98. We looked at each other and said, "Wait! his oxygen level is at 98?" The doctor said yes. If your oxygen is measuring out in the 90's that means its normal. Joshua's oxygen level was back to normal!!! I believe it was from the breathing treatment back at the doctors office, it just needed more time to sit in his body and work. Shelden asked if we were okay to leave the Emergency Room, and the doctor said it was up to us. We both decided that since his specialist appointment got bumped up to the next morning that we didn't need to be there. I believe that the faithful prayers of our pastors, friends and family moved Joshua's oxygen levels back up!
I was so excited that God had healed our little guy in that very moment!
We went to the specialist today, and he told us that Joshua has a soft larynx. That means he can exhale normally but when he inhales his larynx collapses. This is why he has been sounding so congested every time he takes a breath. He also told us that the larynx has to mature and that could take up to his 2nd birthday before it is fully mature enough where it won't collapse anymore. He also said this is not common among babies. The specialist told us that we could go to the LA Children's Hospital to run more tests if we wanted to see if there was anything else going on with him, but if they were to come to the same conclusion of a soft larynx then there was nothing they could do. He suggested this because he did not have instruments small enough to put up his nose or down his throat since he is so small. But at the Children's Hospital they have 1mm scopes for infants. Shelden and I have decided that we won't be taking him to the Children's Hospital. We got a prescription for breathing treatments and bought a monitor that reads his oxygen levels.
This wasn't the answer I was expecting. Part of me wants to worry and keep him next to me all the time so I can make sure he is breathing right. I can't help but think about how his body isn't functioning right and it makes me cringe to know that part of his air way is collapsing while he inhales. But God is so good, he has brought him through the first 5 months of his life, I believe he will bring him through to the next 5 months and the next 5 years of his life. It truly is humbling that I cannot control my son's health. I can't make him any better, its all in God's hands. Literally every breath that he takes, is in God's control.
If you would like we are asking that our family and friends pray for a rapid strengthening of Joshua's larynx. I believe my God can heal anyone of anything! There has been quite a few stories of healing within our church and I want Joshua to be part of it. Thanks for being a part of Joshua's story and praying for him!
