An unforgettable Cleveland Connection: While We’re Waiting

It was the beginning of 2017, and I was in a rut. I was working a job I wasn’t enjoying— something we have to do occasionally— and I needed some kind of release. I knew I wanted to write about sports, but how on earth would I get the chance? Was I even any good? I went out on a limb and decided to try a blog I found through Google. It was called RealSport101. I’m not sure if they were desperate for writers (I’m sure they were) or if I was actually any good, but it was a place to start.

I wrote for RealSport for about three months, but it wasn’t the audience I wanted. I missed writing on the sport I love, football, and I figured it was best to try to write on the team I know best, the Browns. But where, and how? So, again, I turned to Google. The site that kept coming up most frequently was WFNY. This site looked about as authentic, professional, and fan driven as any I could find, so I took a leap of faith and applied. Here we are eight months later and, needless to say, it has worked out well. The guys who run and write for this site have become a sort of family for me. Many of us have never actually met outside our chat groups, but we know so much about each other and provide real support for others like few groups of friends I have. There is discourse daily among the groups and we get to know each other well.

Now, as my connection to my fellow WFNY writers grew, so did my audience through covering the Browns. I was lucky enough that people cared about my content on Twitter, and it opened the doors to meet some great people. It also helped forge some deeper connections.

Kelby and I became pregnant over the summer of 2017. From afar, I paid attention to as much as I could about how other dads handled pregnancy and all that came with it. I had several resources for ‘dad advice’ both from guys I have met through WFNY, and some twitter connections. Still, I was always struck by the story of a man I met through Browns twitter.

Jeff Lloyd runs the Locked On Browns podcast, and has covered the NFL draft for a long time – longer than he probably wants to admit. He has had me on his podcast on several different occasions, and we often do a Browns off-season mock draft with a fellow Browns fanatic, Stephen Thomas. The three of us have formed a bond, and while talking Browns, they always shared their great advice as I prepared myself for what was months away.

Now, what had struck me most was Jeff’s story of his second-born child, a really miraculous story in itself. Here’s a short glimpse Jeff shared about his daughter.

They told me she had a 19% rate at not a normal life, a 19% rate at survival. They sent me out so they could work her on. I cried, screamed, prayed. All realizing that we had a 1 year old at home. There were good days and Aton of bad days. Collapsed lungs,

— Jeff-LJ-Lloyd (@Jeff_LJ_Lloyd) February 4, 2018

It knows she was given the incredible gift of life. Look days and times are hard, but have “Hope” believe in miracles because they do happen. Happy Birthday Hope, Mom and Dad love you, and are amazed by you daily. pic.twitter.com/mYFfKRBHgJ

— Jeff-LJ-Lloyd (@Jeff_LJ_Lloyd) February 4, 2018

I can’t quite explain why, but I was always taken by this child’s courage. I was stunned how well Jeff told his story, and how miraculous this child was; as she is now 10 years old and as healthy as can be. Call it what you will, but it was a form of foreshadowing I can’t quite describe. I knew it would hold relevance to me somehow.

As the calendar turned to January of 2018, Kelby’s pregnancy was in full force, but something was not right. She had always been extremely thin, and I understood pregnancy is hard on the female body. But, I knew something was off. Her feet and ankles were so swollen she could barely walk. Her face and arms had become swollen to the point she was stuck to the couch with her feet elevated. Just the weekend prior we had labored through a Cavs game at Quicken Loans Arena with her feet elevated the whole drive there (she wouldn’t take no for answer, she was going to this game). But, things escalated quickly. Two trips to the labor unit the following week for high blood pressure left us beyond nervous.

We sought answers from our doctor and the high risk doctor assigned to us. We just knew something was not right. On the first of February, Kelby was admitted for what the doctors thought may be preeclampsia. If you don’t know much about this diagnosis, you’re not alone. I was lost as well. Basically it’s the early stages of eclampsia, which is extremely dangerous for the mother. The child is not at risk, but the burden on the mother is rather dangerous. I will always be amazed at how little she cared about her own safety, and only worried about our son.

As we sat in the High Risk section of the labor unit at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, we tried to map out how she could get to 36 weeks (out of high risk for the baby)– or full term. We were only approaching 33 weeks, but we felt we could make it three more weeks. Is she going to be safe? Will our baby boy be safe? Are we prepared for this? How could we manage taking care of our pets? How long would we be at the hospital? Hours and hours of thought ran through my head as I sat next to her.

As those thoughts ran through my head, Jeff and Michael Bode (a fellow writer here at WFNY) were both there answering every question I had. I have not met either man in person, but the way they answered everything I asked made me think we were friends since childhood. Their kindness and sincerity was beyond amazing. Also, the line of events that had to occur just to meet these guys was amazing itself, alongside their courage to share their stories with me and take the time to walk me through everything will be something I will never forget.¹

On February 2, Jeff shared with me that his miracle daughter was coming up on her birthday February 4th, and it would be ironic and special for them to share a birthday. I didn’t think much of it at the time as things weren’t quite that serious yet. We were still envisioning leaving the hospital the upcoming week and making plans accordingly. We knew there was a chance for an early delivery, but we had no indications it was something our team of doctors was seriously considering. Then, things shifted… quickly.

Little did we know Kelby’s situation was placing high stress on her kidneys, but it was. So, on late Saturday February 3, the doctors thought it would be wise to push things forward immediately. One second we were eating Olive Garden for dinner, and the next she is having contractions through the night. We spent all evening battling contractions and the epidural, all hoping to get our little man out safe and make sure Momma was as well. At 10:35 am on Sunday February 4 (of all days), we had our little healthy boy. Porter Foxx Burns came out 4 pounds, 2 ounces and as healthy as can be.

Porter Foxx Burns is settling in well. What a beautiful weekend. pic.twitter.com/57Nf4vTf6D

— Jake Burns (@jake_burns18) February 5, 2018

I didn’t quite understand the strength it took from a woman to make childbirth happen. The strength and courage Kelby displayed on that day and the night prior will forever change me as a man. The words for how proud of her, and how motivated she made me by her ability to deliver our son will forever elude, but it is one miracle I will never forget. A story I will share on a later date, I’m sure.

But, the point here is to cherish the connections we make. If I had not come up with the desire to chase what I really love, I would not have found WFNY. Without WFNY I would not have met Michael, and I wouldn’t have become a figure in Browns twitter enough to meet and share a bond with Jeff– a connection now through our children that will last a lifetime. These men gave me everything I needed to stay calm for Kelby. They eased my concerns, so I could ease hers. They helped me in ways I will never be able to fathom. As Porter continues to grow in the NICU at Riverside, these guys have helped every step of the way with motivation and personal stories I can relate to.

Just a few weeks back, a passionate WFNY reader named Frank Ryan wrote a great piece on his Cleveland fandom. Frank and I have connected through Twitter many times. He is about as nice and thoughtful a person as we can ever hope to come across. He reached out to me to pass along a surprise he had arranged. He went out of his way to send me a gift from our baby registry. He took it upon himself to buy me something when he did not need to do anything at all. It’s kindness like that the world is craving. He moved both Kelby and myself with his actions, and we will never forget it. I thank you again, Frank.

Life has its moments. The ones we are never able to forget. The ones that are the fabric of who we are as people. The memories and friendships I have made in just this month alone will be indelible forever. My life changed on February 4, 2018 and I know it would not have been nearly as easy without the Cleveland connections I have made in the past six months. Social media and the negativity in our world can become overwhelming, but when things like this happen through those mediums, you remember its purpose. Its purpose to bond people and bring them together. People you would never have met just 10 years ago. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to have met these men. They gave me everything I needed on those days.

1. Editor’s note: Jake is under-selling his role here. He was doing a fantastic job comforting his wife, Kelby, as he researched everything the doctors were telling them and finding ways to make it more understandable and demonstrate they would get through everything. Huge way to show he’s going to be a great dad. [↩]