Prayer Request for Jorianna Nichols & Family
Will is doing fine, but one of our friends that we have come to know and love, is not.
Some of you might recall Josh & I telling you about the miracle baby at the University of Michigan, Jorianna Nichols. She is 10 days older than Will and has been at U of M's ped's cardio-thoracic ICU since she was born. She had a heart defect that has never been seen before, and Dr. Bove managed somehow to "fix" her. Dr. Bove had even said that it was a "higher power" that saved her, not him. Since this surgery, Jorianna had many bumps in the road, and went through a lot of the same things that Will has.
Over the past few months, Jorianna's mother, Ruth, and I have become quite close. Ruth was in the waiting room with us the day of Will's surgery, crying and praying with us, asking that God please restart Will's heart.
Jorianna was supposed to go home on Monday and had been in U of M's stable ventilator unit. Overnight, she became septic (developed some sort of infection) which made her blood pressure drop, and she was urgently taken back into the ICU.
Unfortunately, Jorianna could not win this battle, and went to be with Jesus this afternoon. She was surrounded by her loving family. Her parents are on their way home right now to Grand Rapids, Michigan to tell their two children that she has passed away.
Her mother is going to let me know the funeral arrangements in the next few days. I hope I will be able to make it and show her the support that she has given to us.
Some of you might recall Josh & I telling you about the miracle baby at the University of Michigan, Jorianna Nichols. She is 10 days older than Will and has been at U of M's ped's cardio-thoracic ICU since she was born. She had a heart defect that has never been seen before, and Dr. Bove managed somehow to "fix" her. Dr. Bove had even said that it was a "higher power" that saved her, not him. Since this surgery, Jorianna had many bumps in the road, and went through a lot of the same things that Will has.
Over the past few months, Jorianna's mother, Ruth, and I have become quite close. Ruth was in the waiting room with us the day of Will's surgery, crying and praying with us, asking that God please restart Will's heart.
Jorianna was supposed to go home on Monday and had been in U of M's stable ventilator unit. Overnight, she became septic (developed some sort of infection) which made her blood pressure drop, and she was urgently taken back into the ICU.
Unfortunately, Jorianna could not win this battle, and went to be with Jesus this afternoon. She was surrounded by her loving family. Her parents are on their way home right now to Grand Rapids, Michigan to tell their two children that she has passed away.
Her mother is going to let me know the funeral arrangements in the next few days. I hope I will be able to make it and show her the support that she has given to us.
posted by Stephanie Burns @ 5:47 PM
9 Comments:
At 6:12 PM,
Jay said…
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I will indeed remember Jorianna's family in my prayers. I hope you can make it to her funeral, as I know it will mean so much to her parents. You all are truly comrades in arms.
Romans 8:38-40
Uncle Jay
At 6:39 PM,
Anonymous said…
My sincere heart felt sorrow go to the parents of this new little angel. God Bless Jorrianna, her parents and siblings. Nana Morris
At 7:14 PM,
Anonymous said…
Jim and I will be praying for this hurting family. And for you as you stand by them. May the dear Lord strengthen allof you.
Love,
GGmom Perdue
At 8:35 PM,
Anonymous said…
Jorianna's parents and siblings are in our prayers as they grieve for the loss of their precious little one and sister. May our loving God comfort them as only He can.
~Cathy
At 9:30 PM,
Anonymous said…
I remember very well Ruth pleading with God to help Will in her corner of the waiting room... Her prayers along with all the other prayers were answered for all of us and Will... Please, when you see the family in Grand Rapids pass on our love and condolences to them... We will continue to pray for them and for God to give them strength in this trying time... Thank you for sharing this with all of us who could not be there... Of course you, Josh and Will are in our constant prayers as well...
At 9:31 PM,
Nana Nancy said…
Oh Stephanie......
Just thank you for sharing this family's pain.....I am sure you and Josh have been a tower of strength for them.....just as they were for you during Will's recent surgery....No doubt little Jorianna felt your comfort as you prayed for her and her family. The community of love, faith and support among the families at U of Michigan is surreal. I just remain so proud of you and Josh for the strength and faith you have continued to demonstrate for all of us........
Love you both so much,
Mom
At 9:45 PM,
Anonymous said…
I, too, remember Ruth, how even in the midst of her own family dealing with Jorianna's condition, found time and energy to minister to and offer encouragement to other families there at U of M. I remember her praying for a miracle for our Will like he had given her with Jorianna in her surgery. My heart breaks for them because I know what a long road this has been for them, and I hope and pray they will continue to find peace, comfort and refuge in God, and that he surround them with caring people just as they have cared for others.
At 11:19 PM,
Anonymous said…
I will remember Jorianna's family in my prayers. Thank you for sharing with us. You are such a sincere person.
At 6:03 AM,
Anonymous said…
It is a very sad day to learn that Jorianna has been taken from her parents, but we know that she is in a better place without the pain and suffering of this earthly life. We enjoyed talking to Ruth during the long and difficult days in the waiting room at the University of Michigan Hospital. She always had a positive comment and encouragement to our family when we were facing seeminly hopeless odds with Will. They will remain in our prayers.
We are thankful that Will continues to do well.
Larry and Pat
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