The phrase of the day is "Chaos Effect"! I just hope none of it goes your way, 'cause it's hit hard here today!

PS: Best wishes to your nephew and sis!!

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about your sister and little nephew. Love ya

We're thinking of you and hope all goes well for you, your precious new nephew, and family. Neonatal ICU's are known for miraculous happenings...may your family experience one of them.

AND congrats to all your family. Karen & Neal (Boyden USA)

Yeah, if the boy is anything like his uncle, he will be a "charmer". Will continue to pray for him and his uncle (and the rest of the family). Get home by Sept. and you can go up there with the girls and I. More news on the way but still just not as exciting without you in the midst wreaking havoc on all you touch. Husker football is just around the corner. Latest predictions are not looking good.

Miss ya.

Hi Will,

Your little nephew will have an up and down ride for a while. (Sound familiar?) Just remember 1 step forward and 2 steps back is the usual course for a premie. At least he has the advantage of getting "Survanta", which help the premie lungs open up and stay inflated. He'll be "vented" for a while, but they'll be turning down the O2 as he tolerates it. We breathe in 21% O2 a reference point to help you know how he is progressing. They can't feed him for a while, they have to make sure his gut is working OK. Then they'll put a tube down his nose and feed him his mother's breast milk or formula until he is off the vent or c-pap, and he is able to suck/swallow/ and breathe at the same time.

The skills your nephew must learn are;
breathing in room air without mechanical assistance

suck/swallow/ and breathe

keep warm in an open crib (premies lack the body fat to keep themselves warm, so ending up in an Isolette is normal until they can regulate their own temperature)

Gain weight consistently while doing all of the above.

There is an excellant book on premies that is written by parents and doctors, it will guide you sister on what to expect. I'll look up the name of the book for you soon.

Sorry for the crash course in NICU, but you sounded worried and we want your attention on staying safe and keeping your comrades safe too. Now our secret is out- one of us works in a LevelII nursery. And yep, when all the premies are asleep and it's 0200, we read your site. What better way to stay awake!

Keep your eyes open when you all go out and for Pete's sake watch each other's back.

God Bless you all ( and your nephew too)

The Williams family,

Will ~

Just read your last update and I will light a candle at church on Sunday for the little man, I know he is in good hands and with all of us praying he will be bigger and stronger in no time !!

God Speed home my friend !!

Take care !!

God Bless you !!

Hugs and kisses to all !!

Joanski (-;

First of all... Congrats on your new nephew!!! Everything will be alright, trust me! Glad you got to go have a normal meal. That has to mean a lot! Stay safe, OK? We are all rooting for you and your guys.

Take care...

Hi Will,

For your sister, tell her to buy the essential guide for parents of premature babies, titled "Preemies". It is written by Dana Wechsler Linden, Emma Trenti Paroli and Dr. Mia Wechsler Doron. the ISBN number is 0-671-03491-X. This book is wonderful in answering the many questions they'll have over the next few months.

Take care.

the Williams family

Will

Glad to hear your nephew is doing so well. His little lungs just need to mature to fit with the rest of him and then hopefully O2 can go away. NICUs are incredible places staffed by incredible people - truly gifted in what they do.

Glad you enjoyed your meal - what were they serving, BTW?

Stay safe and you and yours are in our prayers.

So glad to hear that you got a break to do something somewhat normal and all American (see face stuffing).

Take care of yourself and your unit... I mean fellow soldiers. Of course... ;)

Jake is in out thoughts.

Will...

Got a lot to do so have to get going, but wanted to say I'm still praying...for you and your nephew!

Hugs, Prayers, and Good Thoughts,
judi

Well, well Will,

Plenty of food for thought (Buffet) and much to be grateful for (Baby Jake) in this latest post.

Plus I know I am not the only gal whose mind set to wandering, imagining just "how good a pair of broke-in jeans" must look & feel Sgt. Will.

Not that I think the "man in uniform" was losing its appeal but every good character needs a wardrobe change to spice things up.

Mission accomplished.

Happy house warming in the new quarters - actually I ought to wish you a nice cooling off in there.

Perhaps being further away from the amenities actually means that you are closer to coming home. Don't repeat that as that is how rumors get started.

Wearin' denim on yer behalf cuz I'm a lucky civ. & it feels soooo good!

tee hee

Szaffie

Hi Will,
I will keep praying for Jacob.
Glad to hear that you have larger (better?) accomodations. Just maybe, someone sees that you guys need to be treated better, and that morale is so important.
I'm also happy that you guys got to go out and just eat "normal" food at a real restaurant, and wear jeans. Sometimes it's those little things that can make such a big difference.
You even got some time off, even though I suppose you got bored pretty quickly. Hopefully, real soon, you guys will be hearing some good news about coming home. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hang in there, and stay safe.

Hey you nephew is on our prayers ok I know the good lord will heal him and make him strong enough to beat you up soon!!

Anyway hope all of you guys come soon!

Hey Will,

I was born early too (by 6 weeks) and had to get help breathing too. He'll be fine :)

Erin

Just wanted to say congratulations to your family on the birth of your nephew. We recently (February) had a preemie born into our family also (great-neice) and she also weighed less than three pounds. She did really well, though and actually went home after about a month. She had some problems with her vision (which I understand is common in preemies) but that seems tohave cleared up finally. Everything is well and I know it will be for your nephew also.
I love to read your little letters to home as they bring a human touch to this war. I get so tired not knowing what my son is doing and worrying about him being in Iraq, that the lightness you bring in your letters are more than welcome. Keep it up and I hope you will be home soon. Good luck!

Will-

While I haven't been following your stories as they were submitted, I found myself with some free time today and decided to backtrack and start from the begining. I have to say I really enjoyed your view of your "mission", and I know my co-workers probably thought I was crazy for laughing so hard at the "Woogie, Woogie, Woogie" story.

I can sympathize with the young guy who is losing a year of college...My best friend (who happens to be one of those well loved MP's) lost one year because of training, and now has lost another b/c he was deployed for a year on the 4th of July. He laughed thought and said he may end up the oldest man in law school, but he's gonna make it or die trying.

As for the poor J who received a Dear John Letter, I haven't read any of the comments from others, but I am sure there is a wealth of young girls who have volunteered thsre e-mail, phone numbers, heck probably even their measurement to put a smile on the guys face. Not quite sure if he'll ever get it, but if either one of you, or another guy or gal from your unit needs someone to write, or to write them just let me know (stu05632@mail.atu.edu) I know a lot about being lonely, I just took a job across the U.S. from all my family and friends, and it's tough feeling like your one in a million.

I'm sure my mailman thinks I am running some sort of underground business b/c of all the boxes I have been sending, but I have several friends who are over there, and I feel it's only fair for me to do my part and send them stuff to make it a little easier for them.

In closing, I will be following your entries now...and I will pray that you and your Unit make it home safely!

Missy

Hey Will,

No worries! Jake is in good hands and in everyones prayers! He will be growing like a weed soon and waiting for you when you get home.

I'm glad you got to get out and "party" (I would count anything out of the normal a party these days). I bet it's nice to get into something other than your uniform!
I hope that moving you means you do come home soon! I need someone to remind me about the fun of a midwest winter! (born and raised in Iowa..twenty foot drifts, WOO HOO Fun!!)

God speed Will! Come back soon!

Nicky
P.S. I became an aunt the end of March. I tell you, wait until you get that first toothless grin and your heart will melt! Kids are great!

I am sending my prayers for your nephew and please tell your sis to give him some little hand touching comfort.
Some times little babes in distress are put into isolation to "nurse" them...but the human touch is very regenerative and encourages the best breathing and stimulation more than anything else. It gives the little soul the physical will to live - to be in contact with his mothers hands.
Much love to all.

Will,

Glad to hear that your nephew is doing better.

I visited that same resort last week. The deserts are incredible--if you have any room left after making it through the buffet!

Did you hang out on the beach and drink near-beer after dinner?

Congratulations Uncle Will! I'm keeping fingers crossed for Jacob. Good to hear that you are still smiling (?) through all the nonsense out there...

Dear Will,

I just arrived at this blog for the first time (via a page at Philly.com - Though I'm from Illinois, not PA), and this looks like a great site. Thank you so much for all that you are doing. And of course, congratulations on the new member of you family. God bless you, and all of our other brave servicemen and women, in the Middle East, as well as those in other locations throughout the world. All the best, and keep up the good work! :-)

Hi will

My son was 2 months early, it is a very hard time but thoses little guys are strong fighters. my son is now 2 years old and going strong. Take Care

Glad to hear you got a good meal in you! Sounds like that was $25 well spent. I'm sending in my best wishes for your nephew Jake along with everyone else. Take care of yourself and your guys and stay safe. I've got the "stay safe" engrained into my boyfriend's head while he's over there... and just so he doesn't upset me... he's got my little memo programmed into his watch.

Will--

Great site! Got directed here from LT Smash's wonderful site, and have really enjoyed reading your insightful letters.

Thanks for serving, and come home safe (but please don't ever stop posting)! :-)

Hey will, my grandson was six weeks early and he will be eight next month. He's a as busy as they come. They know what they're doing, and Jesus loves the little children.
AHere's a little warmth from the heartland. My sister called to tell me a radio station in Ft. Dodge, Ia. has a couple soldiers from there who regularly keep them posted on what's what. Seems they really are missing good old Ia sweet corn about this time of year. Word got out and now they will be sending 80+ bushels of the yellow gold over to them. It's being assembled at the local Walmart with several other companies helping the effort. We love you guys and gals.
Don't forget that bottle of scotch will be waiting when you get back.

Will,

Love your writing. I read it often and have always thought I'd make a post. The news of your nephew spured me to action.

July 25th is my step-daughter's birthday as well -- She's now 15 years old. She was 6 weeks early too. Spent several weeks in the NICU.

She was a bit behind the curve when it came to growth and development charts, but she's been a very heathly girl -- no real medical problems to speak of, just the typical kid stuff.

So hopefully your nephew will follow suit -- he shares a birthday with a strong-willed girl. My prayers to you and your family.

Hey, Will! I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for taking the time to share with us. Today I found an article of interest on the electronic version of "Stars and Stripes".

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=16895

I laughed when I read it because the guys they interviewed sounded so "perky" and "upbeat". All I could think of, though, was you and the song, "Workin' At the Carwash"!!

Wax on...wax off!

Seriously, though, keep up the good work and we'll pray for your speedy return home.

Dear Will,
we are sorry that cannot read your letters in this month of august,this means that we cannot write you.you will have understand that we aren't in city.Really,we are sorry know that you are still there.We hope our return of read still of you and your soldiers, you tell that you are return to home finally,you tell considered that you have much ideas the particulars your great party when you are in Winsconsin,you tell that you are fine.
P.S.:A tender greeting little Jacob.
We will remember never that a day to 31 years as we live reality sad how war, a soldier as make us company with his tellings and mybe when we have tried of confort you, we conforted weself.everyone live all this with own thoughts and share with differents people that live who knows where in the world,it has been for us important love gesture.We would like a day that all our hymns song together will become a only song.Maybe anyone can imagine our happiness when you will be to home .
P.S.:We think that jeans put on of the man are sexy,especially levi's 501 or 505.What do you put on?You don't remember us,we return soon.CIAO
Milena & Adriana

Find your www.ALL-FIORICET.COM here, 100% discrete!