Jacob & Jordan Update 3-19-10

Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,

For those who were contacted today regarding Jordan's condition or have been following the blog, here is the official word from the twins doctor:

Jordan's official Echo Cardiogram results to assess her heart murmur and rapid breathing came back today. As we suspected before, Jordan's PDA (Patent Ductus Arterious) is still open. For those who don't know, the PDA is a blood vessel which lies next to the heart and is open while the baby is in the womb, and closes when the baby is delivered. If the vessel doesn't close by itself, over time it can put strain on the baby's heart and lungs, and one of the symptoms the baby will display is rapid breathing.

Because Jordan is not asymptomatic, and her weight and feedings have not been impacted thus far, the doctor's plan is to conservatively restrict her fluids by reducing the amount of milk she gets per feeding and give her once a day doses of duretics (in this case, Lasix or furofemide) in the hopes of accelerating the natural closing of the vessel, which at this point, the doctors are still confident that the vessel will close on its own. If it doesn't close though, once she reaches the 6 month marker and is considerably larger in size, the vessel will have to be closed by artificial means. This translates to a procedure called a "coil procedure" which is where a cathedur is inserted in the groin area, subsequently allowing access to put a clip on the vessel to close it and the clip will remain in once the PDA closes. As near as we can understand, there are not lingering effects of the clip remaining in. The other option to correct the issue is a minor surgery. Both procedures are slightly more evasive with equal results.

While Jordan remains in the NICU, the surgery is the only option and would only be considered if her conditions worsen. Which at this point, the doctors feel this won't happen because of her steadily gaining weight and taking her feeds well.

As we were dealing with this issue, another one was found, and would typically have not been located had it not been noticed in the Echo Cardiogram; we were told Jordan has mild stenosis on her Aortic Valve where blood goes from the left ventricle lastly as the heart pumps, to the rest of her body. Generally, stenosis means "tight or closed", and this is a condition that can appear on any baby. The greater the stenosis on the valve, the more restriction there will be to the regular blood flow from the heart. The doctors also feel that this right now is a mild case, and is something that Jordan will also grow out of, given her good feedings and steady weight gain. To treat the issue if she does not grow out of it would also be about the 6 month time frame and considerable larger size as well. Treatment for this condition would be corrected by a balloon procedure (similar to a stint procedure in adults) and would be accomplished the same way as the coil procedure would be. The other option is surgery, and again, is the only option while Jordan is in the NICU.

Clearly, baby Jordan still has some hurdles to overcome. Please pray that she outgrows both of these conditions.

Jordan's official report for today is:
4 lbs. 2.7 oz
21% Room Air, with 2 Liter flow nasal cannula
36 CC's fortified milk
1 dirty diaper
6 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desat
0 CC residuals

For Jacob, he continues to improve us each day with his bottle feedings, which now he is on two a day! Awesome job little buddy!

Jacob's official report for the day is:
3 lbs. 5 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air on the nasal cannula, with 1 liter flow
29 CC's of fortified milk
3 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
1.5 CC's residuals

Today was also a big day for the grandparents, as each one got to hold a baby! Some video files taken for you to enjoy are attached below (I also have a bunch of pictures which I will upload to the slideshow later; the host server at the hospital blocks access (go figure)) but at least you can see Rae, Bruce and Susu holding their first grandchildren for the Cordova clan!



Bruce & Jordan 3-19-10




Bruce & Jacob 3-19-10




Jordan & Rae 3-19-10




Jordan & Susu 3-19-10





Jacob & Rae 3-19-10




Jacob & Susu 3-19-10






Thank you for all of your love, prayers and thoughts! More progress reports soon!


Kind regards,


The Cordova Family (Andy, Sheri, Jacob & Jordan)
cell - 281-300-6212
email - maverick2601@hotmail.com