So, I'm a first time auntie........

[Jessica]

Hello all. It's been a couple of weeks since I posted. I've been very busy lately though, my sister inlaw, whom a few of you met at the WWF concert, had a baby boy last Tuesday, July 5th. Jonah Hugh Donnelly weighed a lovely 8 lbs 2 oz.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this to any of you at the WWF concert in Vancouver, but the baby is very sick with a congenital heart defect. It's called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Basically Jonah had a poorly developed left ventrical and aorta. We found this out at Monica's 18 week ultrasound.

Anyhow, there were three options: terminate the pregnancy, which was not a consideration as we are a Christian family, a heart transplant, which was decided against due to the low availability of infant hearts and an early mortality rate, and the last choice, which was what my brother and Monica chose, a three stage open heart surgery called The Norwood.

Jonah had his first surgery last Friday at the BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver, and we are now waiting and praying. As a point of interest, we have an information website set up to keep people informed. Monica is dutch and has a HUGE family. The URL is www.jeffandmon.com go and have a look, he's absolutely beautiful. Also feel free to drop them an e-mail, they have been enjoying the well wishes and good thoughts.

So yeah, that's what I've been up to. Good to be back at this place. Well, that's my news, I'm back to Vancouver for a couple of weeks to keep my brother and sister inlaw company while Jonah recovers. We are looking at a 4 to 8 week recovery period.

Thanks for reading

[Dragonheart]

Congrats to all involved...
its not nice to have to go through the surgery, in the end, he will be blessed with having had the surgery that is required to a normal and healthy baby....I might be working a childrens hospital where I'll be seeing this on a daily basis btw the hospital is called "Princess Margaret Hospital for children" - and you're all thinking where have we seen that hospital's name before...

[Jessica]

What would you be working as at the hospital Dragonheart?

And I tell you, I have a newfound respect and admiration for doctors and nurses after all this has happened. The folks at the Children's Hospital are freaking amazing. Bless them all.

Good luck with the possible job.

[Freakin' Geek]

*hugs for lack of word to express her feelings*

[no nickname, just Andrea]

Congratulations to you and your family, Jessica. I'm very sorry to hear about the health problems that your new nephew has. Is this something that happens often with babies? Is it something that they have a high outlook on the outcome? I had a friend in high school that had to have several heart surgeries when he was a newborn, too. And other than being smaller than most kids and having a scar on his chest, he was just as normal and as healthy as the rest of us. So I'm hoping that your family will have the same good fortune. Best wishes!

[Dragonheart]

Jessica to answer your question I'll be employed as a Patient care assistant and I'll be the one who changes the sheets, sweeps, vacuums, and mop floors, clean benches and transport patients to and from x-rays, operating theatres, and other areas for treatment - so it is a big job, and its one thing Iwill enjoy immensely

[BeiNtelligentLater]

<<<hugs to Jessica, and send some on to Monica too
Congrats on being a new auntie, and it sounds like you are being an incredible auntie at that. You did tell me in Vancouver of the heart problem. I am so happy that the surgery seemed to go well....and I send my thoughts and prayers your direction, and that of your brother, mom and baby, for a fast and full recovery for the little one!!!! You know where to find us if you you need us. Give the little one a kiss on the foot for me...I love baby feet!!!