Born June 27, 2002, Joseph was a very healthy 8-pound10-ounce, 22-inch newborn. We immediately began debating whether he would use his weight to grow up and play football or his height to play basketball for the Fighting Illini. Mom and Dad and sister Lauren (age 3) were very excited to have the new addition to our family.

As with our first child, Joseph was starting off his life in pretty much textbook form. However, all of our lives would take a dramatic turn in late July, when Joseph developed a strange cough. He was taken to a local pediatrician and sent home diagnosed with what was thought to be reflux. The cough worsened quickly over the next two days.

Late at night on July 25, 2002, we took Joseph to the ER at BroMenn Medical Center in Bloomington as he seemed to take a turn for the worse. The next day, his situation did not improve, and the decision to transfer Joseph was made.

We chose Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis not only because it is a children’s hospital, but due to the fact that Joseph’s uncle had done his pediatric residency there, making it more comfortable for us because of what he had said about the staff and quality of care. Joseph was transferred via Life Flight late on July 26 and was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in the early morning hours of July 27.

Needless to say, we were shaken by all that was going on. How could a healthy full-term baby who had only left the house for his two-week check-up get sick? From the moment we were greeted by the Life Flight nurse, Afife Halabi, till the day Joseph was released, we felt comforted and well-informed about everything that was being done for our son.

Joseph was soon diagnosed with pertussis, commonly known as "whooping cough." Since he was only four weeks old when he became sick, he had not yet received his eight-week immunization shots, one of which is specifically for pertussis.

Joseph worsened and was soon placed on a ventilator for a total of three weeks. He would spend another two weeks in the ICU before being transferred to a general pediatric unit and finally being released on Sept. 4, 2002. Total time at Children’s Hospital: 39 days, seven hours and 15 minutes.

The doctors and staff in the ICU were outstanding. From the doctor doing his pediatric rotation while in residency (the first to see Joseph when he arrived), Dr. Phu Vu, to Dr. Kris Bysani, Dr. Julie Wohrley, Dr. Al Torres and Dr. Joel Manaligod, the care and attention were tremendous. The nursing staff in the Pediatric ICU also worked hard each and every minute Joseph was there to make sure he was receiving all the care he needed and to ensure the well thought-out plan for treatment was executed.

The doctors and nursing staff understood how devastated we were to see our baby boy lying in a hospital bed with a machine breathing for him. They were very good about explaining each and every move that was made, making us feel as though we were a part of the "team" to get Joseph healthy again.

The many prayers said by friends and family were answered as Joseph improved. He is now on his way to what is expected to be a full recovery. Looking back at how sick Joseph was and now seeing him smile and laugh at his sister’s antics makes us truly feel like we have been blessed with a miracle child.

Thanks to the doctors and staff of Children’s Hospital for all they have done to help Joseph. We are very happy to have our boy back at home.

God bless.

Paul and Teresa
Bloomington