Friends, Family, Prayer Warriors:
I apologize for it being so long since I have put an update for ya'll. Sheri and I can never thank enough all of our prayer warriors, friends, family, of us, our children's progress and those who read the blog on a daily basis. Since Jacob's arrival at home, it has been run run run nonstop, with everyone trying to juggle his feeds, visit Jordan at the hospital, work, breathe, sleep, a million things flying around at once.
To make things more difficult, I have a bunch of backlogged information to release on here, but there just are not enough hours in the day to get to it all right now. And once Jordan comes home (which to date should be this Monday), it will be even harder to post on here all the information that our little ones (and us) are going through and making.
The best thing that I can tell you is, for all of our difficulties, time constraints, etc... Jacob is doing fine. He weighs 5 lbs 9 oz. at his last doctor visit, has his days and nights mixed up, and takes about 2 to 3 oz. per feeding right now. Otherwise, he is a healthy growing baby boy.
Jordan will be coming home with the G tube (feeding tube) in her stomach and on a apnea monitor at night. Recently she had a bunch of brady cardia episodes, which prompted the doctors and nurse staff to require she be on it especially at night. I'm supposed to find out the inner workings of this device upon my weekend stay, in addition to learning how to work the pump, insert and remove the feeding tube which for the moment will be how we feed her. Although the excessive brady cardia episodes can somewhat be chalked up to feeding and constipation (she went for 5 days without a poop before the doctors' agreed to giving her a suppository, at which point she filled three diapers full when she finally got one). Part of this weekend will hopefully give us a better understanding on what is causing those episodes; it seems like she was brady free prior to the feeding tube insertion. Sheri and I will have to do some deep probing to determine what exactly is going on with that. At last weigh in, Jordan weighed 5 lbs. 6 oz.
That's the best I can tell you right now, especially with Jordan, things change on a hour-to-hour basis.
Please continue to pray for the growth, stability and improvement for our babies (not to mention the continued stabilization and growth of mine, Sheri's and everyone else who is helping us out's sanity). May the good Lord bless and protect us all.
More as it develops! Thank you for all of your love, prayers and thoughts! More progress reports as soon as I can spare another minute!
Kind regards,
The Cordova Family (Andy, Sheri, Jacob & Jordan)
cell - 281-300-6212
email - maverick2601@hotmail.com
Friday, April 30, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-17-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
According to Sheri, Jacob had a rough night last night. Apparently, his gas issues are making themselves known in the evening time frames, which makes him being fussy after and between his 9 and midnight feeds, and hard to get to lay down and go to sleep. Both of the kids have had gas issues all along, but especially where Jacob is concerned, the adjustment to a new environment on top of the gas makes things rough for him and for us. But, we will keep pressing along and bring the issue up to his doctor upon our next visit to see if he can make any suggestions for over the counter medication, drops, etc., or something prescribed to help him work through it. Here are a couple of pictures I snapped with my camera phone of Jacob when I got back this afternoon (I left the hospital around 2, so Sheri could come up and see Jordan, and Rae was taking a breather to go home, get some rest, go to church on Sunday and visit with Jordan).
Jordan continues to heal up from her endoscopy and bronchioscopy yesterday; no results as of yet (probably Monday). She was more alert this afternoon, but still a little worn out from the surgery, so that has kept her pretty quiet. See below, snoozing and enjoying her paci:
Jordan will have a acid reflux PH probe scheduled for Monday, which will be a tube inserted into her nose along with her feeding tube, and will stop about midway down the back of her throat. Once inserted, it will take the PH levels of when she has acid reflux episodes/aspiration (or something similar) for 24 to 36 hours. This probe study is the 2nd part of analyzing Jordan's difficulty swallowing, stridor, problems with vocal cords, and determining where exactly the reflux is coming from (above or below), then will define what kind of feeding tube Jordan will need to send her home, until such time as these issues can be worked out to allow her to take bottles again and swallow properly without choking.
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
5 lbs. 5 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
1/2 liter Nasal Cannula 21% Room Air
48 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
0 CC residual
taken off Prevacid for acid reflux until Tuesday to allow for proper assessment of reflux symptoms (or similar)
1.2 mg. Proponalol (bloood pressure medicine)
.2 mg. Dexamethasone (restarted for a day to help bring slight swelling with vocal cords and esophagus (if any) to lower level to better place PH probe
More as it develops! 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
According to Sheri, Jacob had a rough night last night. Apparently, his gas issues are making themselves known in the evening time frames, which makes him being fussy after and between his 9 and midnight feeds, and hard to get to lay down and go to sleep. Both of the kids have had gas issues all along, but especially where Jacob is concerned, the adjustment to a new environment on top of the gas makes things rough for him and for us. But, we will keep pressing along and bring the issue up to his doctor upon our next visit to see if he can make any suggestions for over the counter medication, drops, etc., or something prescribed to help him work through it. Here are a couple of pictures I snapped with my camera phone of Jacob when I got back this afternoon (I left the hospital around 2, so Sheri could come up and see Jordan, and Rae was taking a breather to go home, get some rest, go to church on Sunday and visit with Jordan).
Jordan continues to heal up from her endoscopy and bronchioscopy yesterday; no results as of yet (probably Monday). She was more alert this afternoon, but still a little worn out from the surgery, so that has kept her pretty quiet. See below, snoozing and enjoying her paci:
Jordan will have a acid reflux PH probe scheduled for Monday, which will be a tube inserted into her nose along with her feeding tube, and will stop about midway down the back of her throat. Once inserted, it will take the PH levels of when she has acid reflux episodes/aspiration (or something similar) for 24 to 36 hours. This probe study is the 2nd part of analyzing Jordan's difficulty swallowing, stridor, problems with vocal cords, and determining where exactly the reflux is coming from (above or below), then will define what kind of feeding tube Jordan will need to send her home, until such time as these issues can be worked out to allow her to take bottles again and swallow properly without choking.
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
5 lbs. 5 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
1/2 liter Nasal Cannula 21% Room Air
48 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
0 CC residual
taken off Prevacid for acid reflux until Tuesday to allow for proper assessment of reflux symptoms (or similar)
1.2 mg. Proponalol (bloood pressure medicine)
.2 mg. Dexamethasone (restarted for a day to help bring slight swelling with vocal cords and esophagus (if any) to lower level to better place PH probe
More as it develops! 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
Friday, April 16, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-16-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jordan (ready for Bronchioscopy and Endoscopy procedure)
Before:
After:
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
5 lbs. 4 oz
0 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Nasal Cannula put in for purposes of assistance after procedure, will be removed when she comes out of anesthesia and breathes on her own
46 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
0 CC residual
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
Sheri and I shifted watches for tonight; she went home to love on and be with Jacob, I came up to the hospital and spent the night looking after Jordan, and am look forward to a restful night's sleep with no interruptions. I'll let you know tomorrow how Sheri's night with Jacob went.
Also, Abby, one of the great nurses we had in the beginning looking after the twins, has been freed up since one of our original podmates in Giraffe Pod A went up to the 8th floor, and she has graciously agreed to be one of our nightly primary's! We are so excited to have one more great nurse looking after our kids! See the picture below, so has already bonded with Jordan!!
More as it develops! 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
Jordan (ready for Bronchioscopy and Endoscopy procedure)
Before:
After:
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
5 lbs. 4 oz
0 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Nasal Cannula put in for purposes of assistance after procedure, will be removed when she comes out of anesthesia and breathes on her own
46 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
0 CC residual
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
Sheri and I shifted watches for tonight; she went home to love on and be with Jacob, I came up to the hospital and spent the night looking after Jordan, and am look forward to a restful night's sleep with no interruptions. I'll let you know tomorrow how Sheri's night with Jacob went.
Also, Abby, one of the great nurses we had in the beginning looking after the twins, has been freed up since one of our original podmates in Giraffe Pod A went up to the 8th floor, and she has graciously agreed to be one of our nightly primary's! We are so excited to have one more great nurse looking after our kids! See the picture below, so has already bonded with Jordan!!
More as it develops! 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
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-15-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jacob's 1st trip to doctor:
Recorded weight and assessment from doctor for Jacob:
4lbs. 15 oz.
irregular pooping is normal due to adjustment to new environment and formula, normal poop is a paste, irregular poop is hard, he has had good poops
every four hour feeding schedule, 22 ca. formula, 60 CC's (equiv. 2 oz. / feeding)
Growing boy!, developing his own personality, including fussiness!
Doctor will not need to see him again until 2 month visit
Jordan:
Renal Ultrasound & Urinalysis results = good kidney function
Endoscopy and Bronchioscopy scope procedure set for tomorrow after 7:30 am (good luck baby girl, we're all praying that it goes well for you!)
put on blood pressure medication (1.2 mg propanolol) every 8 hours
5 lbs. 2 oz
0 dirty diaper
6 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
46 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
0 CC residual
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
More as it develops! 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
Jacob's 1st trip to doctor:
Recorded weight and assessment from doctor for Jacob:
4lbs. 15 oz.
irregular pooping is normal due to adjustment to new environment and formula, normal poop is a paste, irregular poop is hard, he has had good poops
every four hour feeding schedule, 22 ca. formula, 60 CC's (equiv. 2 oz. / feeding)
Growing boy!, developing his own personality, including fussiness!
Doctor will not need to see him again until 2 month visit
Jordan:
Renal Ultrasound & Urinalysis results = good kidney function
Endoscopy and Bronchioscopy scope procedure set for tomorrow after 7:30 am (good luck baby girl, we're all praying that it goes well for you!)
put on blood pressure medication (1.2 mg propanolol) every 8 hours
5 lbs. 2 oz
0 dirty diaper
6 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
46 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
0 CC residual
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
More as it develops! 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
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-14-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jacob had a much better night last night being at home (we were surprised and excited how quickly he adjusted). Between all of our efforts, Jacob is now on a every four hour feeding schedule (12, 4, 8, 12), and in between feeds, he is sleeping beautifully! The report from Mia Rae today is that Jacob had one big poop this morning, but not has had any since, and during the day did well all day. She kept him in the living room pretty much (even squeezed in an hour nap); he seems to do better where all the activity is happening. For now, we will chalk his lack of many poops up to him adjusting to his environment (I'm sure that is all it is), but we will also bring it up to his pediatrician tomorrow (Sheri and Rae will be taking him to his first doctor's appointment since being released from the hospital on Monday in the Medical Center, across from Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital). Good luck baby boy, you will be just fine. We are so proud of your progress!
Jordan also had another progress hurdle lept over successfully; the doctors and nurses finally said she had come far enough long that she no longer needed her nasal cannula! Way to go! Here is the first photo of our little daughter breathing entirely on her own (we never had any real doubts anyway, she made her feelings known about well in advance...every time we looked at her after her PDA surgery, she somehow managed to get the nasal prongs out of her nose and blowing on her face instead)
Jordan also had a Renal Ultrasound and Urinalysis ran on her today; it seems her high blood pressure readings warranted a test to ensure her kidneys are functioning properly. Jordan also received a suppository this morning; we had asked the nurses to give her one because of the many days that had gone by with little to no poop action. To coin a phrase, mentioning that she was going to get one seemed to "scare the crap out of her", because she had two little poops at various points during the morning before she ever received the suppository, and then one big one later after getting it. Go figure :). Sheri had been able to go this morning and be with her (until she is released, the family is doing everything we can to make sure that Jordan is either not alone, or is by herself in the NICU for a very short time. We don't want her to get scared and lonely, do we?) Here is a picture Mom took of her when she arrived to be with her this afternoon:
And, I had a neat and exciting experience upon my visit tonight (Sheri and I had discussed it earlier, and we had opted for me to go up to the NICU tonight, and she come home to be with Jacob for the evening and get to bed earlier (which I was happy to do). I got to bathe Jordan! It was my first time, but I think I did alright (you be the judge) and enjoyed looking at my smiling baby girl all the while!
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
5 lbs. 0.2 oz
3 dirty diaper
7 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Nasal Cannula removed, breathing Room Air completely unassisted (yeeaaahhh!)
46 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
3.3 CC residual
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
Renal Ultrasound & Urinalysis to test kidney function as a result of high blood pressure readings (results tomorrow)
Echo Cardiogram scheduled for tomorrow a.m.
Update on my ankle: I visited the podiatrist today. The MRI results say one of the outer tendons is 50% torn (see update with photo on April 6, 2010 for full explanation). At this point, surgery is on the low end (about 20% chance) and we should be able to heal it up with being in the boot cast for at least another three weeks, then a follow up visit where the doctor will poke and prod and measure my mobility and ankle strength, and see about transitioning to a smaller brace. For the rest of this season though, officiating baseball is officially out.
More as it develops! 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
Jacob had a much better night last night being at home (we were surprised and excited how quickly he adjusted). Between all of our efforts, Jacob is now on a every four hour feeding schedule (12, 4, 8, 12), and in between feeds, he is sleeping beautifully! The report from Mia Rae today is that Jacob had one big poop this morning, but not has had any since, and during the day did well all day. She kept him in the living room pretty much (even squeezed in an hour nap); he seems to do better where all the activity is happening. For now, we will chalk his lack of many poops up to him adjusting to his environment (I'm sure that is all it is), but we will also bring it up to his pediatrician tomorrow (Sheri and Rae will be taking him to his first doctor's appointment since being released from the hospital on Monday in the Medical Center, across from Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital). Good luck baby boy, you will be just fine. We are so proud of your progress!
Jordan also had another progress hurdle lept over successfully; the doctors and nurses finally said she had come far enough long that she no longer needed her nasal cannula! Way to go! Here is the first photo of our little daughter breathing entirely on her own (we never had any real doubts anyway, she made her feelings known about well in advance...every time we looked at her after her PDA surgery, she somehow managed to get the nasal prongs out of her nose and blowing on her face instead)
Jordan also had a Renal Ultrasound and Urinalysis ran on her today; it seems her high blood pressure readings warranted a test to ensure her kidneys are functioning properly. Jordan also received a suppository this morning; we had asked the nurses to give her one because of the many days that had gone by with little to no poop action. To coin a phrase, mentioning that she was going to get one seemed to "scare the crap out of her", because she had two little poops at various points during the morning before she ever received the suppository, and then one big one later after getting it. Go figure :). Sheri had been able to go this morning and be with her (until she is released, the family is doing everything we can to make sure that Jordan is either not alone, or is by herself in the NICU for a very short time. We don't want her to get scared and lonely, do we?) Here is a picture Mom took of her when she arrived to be with her this afternoon:
And, I had a neat and exciting experience upon my visit tonight (Sheri and I had discussed it earlier, and we had opted for me to go up to the NICU tonight, and she come home to be with Jacob for the evening and get to bed earlier (which I was happy to do). I got to bathe Jordan! It was my first time, but I think I did alright (you be the judge) and enjoyed looking at my smiling baby girl all the while!
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
5 lbs. 0.2 oz
3 dirty diaper
7 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Nasal Cannula removed, breathing Room Air completely unassisted (yeeaaahhh!)
46 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
3.3 CC residual
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
Renal Ultrasound & Urinalysis to test kidney function as a result of high blood pressure readings (results tomorrow)
Echo Cardiogram scheduled for tomorrow a.m.
Update on my ankle: I visited the podiatrist today. The MRI results say one of the outer tendons is 50% torn (see update with photo on April 6, 2010 for full explanation). At this point, surgery is on the low end (about 20% chance) and we should be able to heal it up with being in the boot cast for at least another three weeks, then a follow up visit where the doctor will poke and prod and measure my mobility and ankle strength, and see about transitioning to a smaller brace. For the rest of this season though, officiating baseball is officially out.
More as it develops! 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
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-13-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jacob's first night at home was its own exciting and LONG adventure. Apparently, he needed to make sure everyone in the house KNEW he was home, so it was a round robin between Sheri, Rae and I on getting him to take his feedings and used to a new bedding and nightly sounds (or lack thereof). Perfectly normal, but tiring to us three (I know, I know, get used to it, its only the beginning...I can hear each of you who are experienced in this saying these very words ;) )
One of the things we got at the shower from Mom and Dad (which I am very grateful for) is a cradle swing. This will allow us to breathe a little easier; Jacob does very well when he is in it...see below
Armed with this, we expect to have some recourse to occupy his time when we need to switch gears (and he likes being in it, so hey, another perk!). Jacob is also still taking his bottles well, and pooping and peeing up a storm (nice to see some things don't change!)
Jordan is doing well at the NICU (I'm sure she misses her brother, but she continues to do well given the circumstances). Dad went up and spent some time with her during the lunch hour, and Sheri went up to be with her after work. And, our princess has hit THE 5 LB. MARK OFFICIALLY THIS EVENING!!!! YEAH JORDAN! Here are some photos of our growing baby girl!
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
5 lbs. 0.8 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
1 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air nasal cannula 1/2 Liter flow
45 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
0 residuals
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
Both our kids still have some adjustments now they are in different places, but we will all be together again very soon. Please pray for continued success for both!
More as it develops! 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
Jacob's first night at home was its own exciting and LONG adventure. Apparently, he needed to make sure everyone in the house KNEW he was home, so it was a round robin between Sheri, Rae and I on getting him to take his feedings and used to a new bedding and nightly sounds (or lack thereof). Perfectly normal, but tiring to us three (I know, I know, get used to it, its only the beginning...I can hear each of you who are experienced in this saying these very words ;) )
One of the things we got at the shower from Mom and Dad (which I am very grateful for) is a cradle swing. This will allow us to breathe a little easier; Jacob does very well when he is in it...see below
Armed with this, we expect to have some recourse to occupy his time when we need to switch gears (and he likes being in it, so hey, another perk!). Jacob is also still taking his bottles well, and pooping and peeing up a storm (nice to see some things don't change!)
Jordan is doing well at the NICU (I'm sure she misses her brother, but she continues to do well given the circumstances). Dad went up and spent some time with her during the lunch hour, and Sheri went up to be with her after work. And, our princess has hit THE 5 LB. MARK OFFICIALLY THIS EVENING!!!! YEAH JORDAN! Here are some photos of our growing baby girl!
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
5 lbs. 0.8 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
1 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air nasal cannula 1/2 Liter flow
45 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
0 residuals
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
Both our kids still have some adjustments now they are in different places, but we will all be together again very soon. Please pray for continued success for both!
More as it develops! 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
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-12-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
JACOB IS HOME!
Sheri had to go out for a little while, so it was just me and the boy. We put him in the bassinet to get him used to his new environment, see below!
Tonight will be the telltale what we need to do (if any) to help him adjust further, but for now he is sleeping comfortably.
The ENT doctor came to visit Jordan with a checkup before we left for home. He admitted that his bedside scope was limited; he could not see past Jordan's vocal cords, and there was a lot of swelling in Jordan's vocal cords and throat. The ENT doctor also noted that out of the two vocal cords which are situated in a "V" shape, only one was moving. This lead the ENT doctor to surmise that there might be something going on below Jordan's vocal cords, which led him to set up a bronchioscopy and endoscopy hopefully for this Friday. Jordan will receive a gas anesthetic to calm her, and the ENT doctor will use a camera scope to see all the way down her esophagus and into the lungs. Our only objection to this procedure initially was we did not want her intabated again; it was our feeling that the ventilator when Jordan had her PDA surgery is what caused the swelling in the first place. The doctor agreed that the PDA surgery did contribute somewhat to the stridor in her vocal cords, which will heal with time, however, this procedure should not initially warrant Jordan having to go through that again. The anesthetic would be given in gas form, and the ENT doctor would perform his assessments once the anesthetic took effect. The ENT doctor also told us the procedure was necessary due to Jordan's squeakiness when she is breathing out; it was too loud to be caused by a swollen vocal cord and esophagus alone, which was cause for concern. This feeling was also confirmed by Jordan's attending pediatrician. Ultimately, it needs to be determined what is causing the squeak when Jordan exhales, and why she still has trouble swallowing to allow her to take the bottle properly.
Please pray that Jordan's issues are small and fixable...poor little girl has been through so much already!
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 15.7 oz
0 dirty diaper
7 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air nasal cannula 1/2 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
More as it develops! 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
JACOB IS HOME!
Sheri had to go out for a little while, so it was just me and the boy. We put him in the bassinet to get him used to his new environment, see below!
Tonight will be the telltale what we need to do (if any) to help him adjust further, but for now he is sleeping comfortably.
The ENT doctor came to visit Jordan with a checkup before we left for home. He admitted that his bedside scope was limited; he could not see past Jordan's vocal cords, and there was a lot of swelling in Jordan's vocal cords and throat. The ENT doctor also noted that out of the two vocal cords which are situated in a "V" shape, only one was moving. This lead the ENT doctor to surmise that there might be something going on below Jordan's vocal cords, which led him to set up a bronchioscopy and endoscopy hopefully for this Friday. Jordan will receive a gas anesthetic to calm her, and the ENT doctor will use a camera scope to see all the way down her esophagus and into the lungs. Our only objection to this procedure initially was we did not want her intabated again; it was our feeling that the ventilator when Jordan had her PDA surgery is what caused the swelling in the first place. The doctor agreed that the PDA surgery did contribute somewhat to the stridor in her vocal cords, which will heal with time, however, this procedure should not initially warrant Jordan having to go through that again. The anesthetic would be given in gas form, and the ENT doctor would perform his assessments once the anesthetic took effect. The ENT doctor also told us the procedure was necessary due to Jordan's squeakiness when she is breathing out; it was too loud to be caused by a swollen vocal cord and esophagus alone, which was cause for concern. This feeling was also confirmed by Jordan's attending pediatrician. Ultimately, it needs to be determined what is causing the squeak when Jordan exhales, and why she still has trouble swallowing to allow her to take the bottle properly.
Please pray that Jordan's issues are small and fixable...poor little girl has been through so much already!
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 15.7 oz
0 dirty diaper
7 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air nasal cannula 1/2 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
More as it develops! 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
Monday, April 12, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-11-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Everything is a go for Jacob to go home tomorrow! His car seat test (where he had to sit in a car seat which we got from the shower for an hour and maintain his saturation levels and be brady cardia free) was a success last night! The plan is to leave with our son by noon for homeward bound and his own room!
Melinda took the opportunity to have one last hurrah to feed Jake before his departure tomorrow, see below!
I also caught a great shot of Sheri holding Jordan as she was getting her feeds tonight. Tonight was a good night for both momma and baby girl.
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 9.6 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Ad-lib feedings of 22 calorie fortified milk, 8 bottles a day
2 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Eye exam went well; will not need to visit eye doctor until 1 year old
Jordan will have to remain a few weeks longer while we get her reflux and stridor under control. As it is now, she takes her feeds via tube very well, and she is able to maintain her stats while getting them. However, she cannot swallow yet without aspirating, so these next few weeks will be chock full of physical therapy and assessment so she can take her feeds successfully by bottle.
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 15.4 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air nasal cannula 1 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
ENT Doctor and Developmental Assessment Doctor visits tomorrow to assess acid reflux, vocal cords swelling, and possible floppy air valve
Eye exam went well; will not need to visit eye doctor until 1 year old
More as it develops! 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
Everything is a go for Jacob to go home tomorrow! His car seat test (where he had to sit in a car seat which we got from the shower for an hour and maintain his saturation levels and be brady cardia free) was a success last night! The plan is to leave with our son by noon for homeward bound and his own room!
Melinda took the opportunity to have one last hurrah to feed Jake before his departure tomorrow, see below!
I also caught a great shot of Sheri holding Jordan as she was getting her feeds tonight. Tonight was a good night for both momma and baby girl.
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 9.6 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Ad-lib feedings of 22 calorie fortified milk, 8 bottles a day
2 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Eye exam went well; will not need to visit eye doctor until 1 year old
Jordan will have to remain a few weeks longer while we get her reflux and stridor under control. As it is now, she takes her feeds via tube very well, and she is able to maintain her stats while getting them. However, she cannot swallow yet without aspirating, so these next few weeks will be chock full of physical therapy and assessment so she can take her feeds successfully by bottle.
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 15.4 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air nasal cannula 1 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
ENT Doctor and Developmental Assessment Doctor visits tomorrow to assess acid reflux, vocal cords swelling, and possible floppy air valve
Eye exam went well; will not need to visit eye doctor until 1 year old
More as it develops! 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
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-10-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 9 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Ad-lib feedings of 22 calorie fortified milk, 8 bottles a day
3 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 15 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air nasal cannula 1 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
dexamethasone discontinued
More as it develops! 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
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 9 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Ad-lib feedings of 22 calorie fortified milk, 8 bottles a day
3 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 15 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air nasal cannula 1 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
dexamethasone discontinued
More as it develops! 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
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-9-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 8 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Ad-lib feedings of 22 calorie fortified milk, 8 bottles a day, avg. 50-60 cc's/feeds
3 dirty diapers
8 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Pulsox monitor taken off today
circumcision done today (ouch >o )
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 14 oz
1 dirty diaper
7 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air 1 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid 2 mg. 1 x day
dexamethasone .2 mg every 12 hrs.
More as it develops! 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
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 8 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Ad-lib feedings of 22 calorie fortified milk, 8 bottles a day, avg. 50-60 cc's/feeds
3 dirty diapers
8 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Pulsox monitor taken off today
circumcision done today (ouch >o )
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 14 oz
1 dirty diaper
7 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air 1 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid 2 mg. 1 x day
dexamethasone .2 mg every 12 hrs.
More as it develops! 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
Friday, April 9, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-8-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Tonight's Infant CPR training class went well. The attendees for the Cordova family were: Suzanne, Bruce, Andy, Sheri and Rae.
This class also allowed us to visit the 8th floor where babies are moved to once they improve to a level two or even level 1 status (Jacob and Jordan were originally at level 3 status when they first arrived to Children's Memorial Hermann [critical care]). It's was also interesting to see that Roger and Debbie Clemens had donated some money to the floor, and their contribution is noted by signs that you see upon entering the floor from the elevator and as you approach the receptionist desk. The layout is setup where each pod has a central nurse station and a bunch of individual rooms around it. Each room has a pleather love seat that can fold out into a single bed if a parent wants to stay overnight.
As far as Jordan's situation is concerned, she still has a raspy cry and although her feeding amounts are progressively increasing, she has been restricted to getting her milk and formula by feeding tube only. Jordan's acid reflux is also still presenting a hindrance; it is adding to the irritation of her already inflamed vocal cords. It is the doctor's diagnosis that her recent symptoms could suggest she has a floppy airway in addition to underdeveloped or irritated vocal cords; this could be contributed to prematurity, and unfortunately there is no surgery to fix them, Jordan will have to outgrow it. In the meantime, Jordan has been started on Prevacid to help with her acid reflux and dexamethasone, which is a steroid to reduce the inflammation on her vocal cords (a condition known as Stridor). And, the Ear-Nose-and Throat doctor and Developmental Assessment techs will come by Monday to see if the next few days of Jordan being on both of these medications has made any improvement and a next course of action. Please pray for Jordan's issues to resolve without drastic measures.
Jacob is now taking his feeds ad-lib; he takes as much or as little as he wants. It will be our goal to still keep him on the feeding schedule we currently have for him (every three hours), but the amount he takes now is up to him. Jacob's feeding tube that deposits directly into his stomach was also taken out today; the only lines he has tied to a monitor now is the one that reads his heart rate!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 6.2 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Ad-lib feedings of 22 calorie fortified milk, 8 bottles a day
3 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 12.6 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air 1 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
dexamethasone (steroid, help with swelling of vocal cords) .2 mg every 12 hrs.
More as it develops! 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
Tonight's Infant CPR training class went well. The attendees for the Cordova family were: Suzanne, Bruce, Andy, Sheri and Rae.
This class also allowed us to visit the 8th floor where babies are moved to once they improve to a level two or even level 1 status (Jacob and Jordan were originally at level 3 status when they first arrived to Children's Memorial Hermann [critical care]). It's was also interesting to see that Roger and Debbie Clemens had donated some money to the floor, and their contribution is noted by signs that you see upon entering the floor from the elevator and as you approach the receptionist desk. The layout is setup where each pod has a central nurse station and a bunch of individual rooms around it. Each room has a pleather love seat that can fold out into a single bed if a parent wants to stay overnight.
As far as Jordan's situation is concerned, she still has a raspy cry and although her feeding amounts are progressively increasing, she has been restricted to getting her milk and formula by feeding tube only. Jordan's acid reflux is also still presenting a hindrance; it is adding to the irritation of her already inflamed vocal cords. It is the doctor's diagnosis that her recent symptoms could suggest she has a floppy airway in addition to underdeveloped or irritated vocal cords; this could be contributed to prematurity, and unfortunately there is no surgery to fix them, Jordan will have to outgrow it. In the meantime, Jordan has been started on Prevacid to help with her acid reflux and dexamethasone, which is a steroid to reduce the inflammation on her vocal cords (a condition known as Stridor). And, the Ear-Nose-and Throat doctor and Developmental Assessment techs will come by Monday to see if the next few days of Jordan being on both of these medications has made any improvement and a next course of action. Please pray for Jordan's issues to resolve without drastic measures.
Jacob is now taking his feeds ad-lib; he takes as much or as little as he wants. It will be our goal to still keep him on the feeding schedule we currently have for him (every three hours), but the amount he takes now is up to him. Jacob's feeding tube that deposits directly into his stomach was also taken out today; the only lines he has tied to a monitor now is the one that reads his heart rate!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 6.2 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Ad-lib feedings of 22 calorie fortified milk, 8 bottles a day
3 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 12.6 oz
1 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air 1 Liter flow
42 CC's fortified milk 22 cal.
Prevacid (for acid reflux) 2 mg. 1 x day
dexamethasone (steroid, help with swelling of vocal cords) .2 mg every 12 hrs.
More as it develops! 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
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-7-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jacob continues to perform well with now 7 full days of no brady cardia or desaturation episodes as of today. Technically, he could go home, however the doctors and nurses have opted to keep him in for a few more days just to make sure that all is working as it should be. We still have the car seat test to run on him; he will have to sit in a car seat (endorsed by the hospital) for an hour without any brady cardia or desaturation episodes, one night of care-by-parent assessment(where Sheri and I are in one of the Ronald McDonald houses and take care of him on our own, but still have the nurse staff checking in on us to help if needed), and Sheri and I will need to take and pass a child CPR class (which Mom and Dad and Sheri's mom will be taking also). As long as he keeps on track, and we pass all of our tests, he will still be released to go home on Monday.
Although Jordan's respiratory rate has drastically improved since her PDA surgery last week, she is still struggling with the suck swallow breathe reflex which she needs to master in order to bottle feed to the hospital's requirements to allow her to be released with no support backup (i.e., oxygen, feeding tubes, etc). The goal is to get Jordan completely off of the feeding tube in her nose, and use the bottle entirely. Earlier this week she was taken down for some routine tests and another echo cardiogram to monitor her progress. Upon being put in the transport box, she freaked out and her saturation levels dropped significantly, which caused the nurses to have to crank up her oxygen to calm her down. Then she failed her swallow test by aspirating violently during the exam, which sent up a red flag to the doctors.
Despite all the difficulties Jordan is experiencing, the doctors and Sheri and I are still confidient that Jordan will be able to overcome this, given her progressional history to date. After tonight's assessment by the doctors, which range from the doctor's hypothesis' for her swallowing issues being chalked up to her surgical procedure on her PDA (which required her to be put under anesthesia and a ventilator and could be causing strain), prematurity to her vocal cords, to cerbal palsy, Jordan will begin physical therapy tomorrow to work on improving the suck swallow breathe reflex to allow her to effectively bottle feed so she will not have to be released from the hospital with oxygen and a feeding tube in her stomach. This assessment and physical therapy should go on for about two to three weeks.
Please pray that Jacob continues to stay on track to departure home on Monday, and that Jordan's issues will correct themselves and she will be able to come home with her brother and mom and dad with no issues other than being a preemie.
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 4.6 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
55 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with now 8 bottles a day!
1 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 9.4 oz
2 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics cancelled as of today
Potassium 4 x day cancelled as of today
21% Room Air, with 1 Liter flow
38 CC's fortified milk 24 cal.
The official word on my condition by my podiatrist is: my right ankle is in between moderate to severely sprained.
As shown on the diagram, the top picture shows the outer side of the human foot. The three lines that are circled represent tendons which provide support and movement. As it was explained to me, because of the way our feet are designed, this is where 99 % of all the injuries occur (hairline fractures, compound fractures, sprains, etc) due to the design. The second diagram is the inner side of the human foot. This side has a triangular tendon that is much more durable and can withstand a lot more activity. In my case, with my fall and rolling my ankle under, there is probably a good chance that I tore the first tendon on the left side. However, since the swelling is confined to my ankle, and I don't have any blood or bruising under my skin or further down along my foot or heel, it is probable that the second tendon is just strained and not torn. The podiatrist took x-rays which did not show any hairline fractures, or broken bones. Tonight at 9:30, I had a MRI, which the results should be transmitted to the doctor's office by tomorrow or Friday to determine the full extent of the injury. In the meantime, I am wearing a prosthetic boot to allow for support and mobility (at a much slower pace than my normal walk, but at least I can stand and walk again) which I will need to wear for at least a month. Once the MRI results get back to the doctor, we will determine the next course of action of any.
More as it develops! 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
Jacob continues to perform well with now 7 full days of no brady cardia or desaturation episodes as of today. Technically, he could go home, however the doctors and nurses have opted to keep him in for a few more days just to make sure that all is working as it should be. We still have the car seat test to run on him; he will have to sit in a car seat (endorsed by the hospital) for an hour without any brady cardia or desaturation episodes, one night of care-by-parent assessment(where Sheri and I are in one of the Ronald McDonald houses and take care of him on our own, but still have the nurse staff checking in on us to help if needed), and Sheri and I will need to take and pass a child CPR class (which Mom and Dad and Sheri's mom will be taking also). As long as he keeps on track, and we pass all of our tests, he will still be released to go home on Monday.
Although Jordan's respiratory rate has drastically improved since her PDA surgery last week, she is still struggling with the suck swallow breathe reflex which she needs to master in order to bottle feed to the hospital's requirements to allow her to be released with no support backup (i.e., oxygen, feeding tubes, etc). The goal is to get Jordan completely off of the feeding tube in her nose, and use the bottle entirely. Earlier this week she was taken down for some routine tests and another echo cardiogram to monitor her progress. Upon being put in the transport box, she freaked out and her saturation levels dropped significantly, which caused the nurses to have to crank up her oxygen to calm her down. Then she failed her swallow test by aspirating violently during the exam, which sent up a red flag to the doctors.
Despite all the difficulties Jordan is experiencing, the doctors and Sheri and I are still confidient that Jordan will be able to overcome this, given her progressional history to date. After tonight's assessment by the doctors, which range from the doctor's hypothesis' for her swallowing issues being chalked up to her surgical procedure on her PDA (which required her to be put under anesthesia and a ventilator and could be causing strain), prematurity to her vocal cords, to cerbal palsy, Jordan will begin physical therapy tomorrow to work on improving the suck swallow breathe reflex to allow her to effectively bottle feed so she will not have to be released from the hospital with oxygen and a feeding tube in her stomach. This assessment and physical therapy should go on for about two to three weeks.
Please pray that Jacob continues to stay on track to departure home on Monday, and that Jordan's issues will correct themselves and she will be able to come home with her brother and mom and dad with no issues other than being a preemie.
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 4.6 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
55 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with now 8 bottles a day!
1 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 9.4 oz
2 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics cancelled as of today
Potassium 4 x day cancelled as of today
21% Room Air, with 1 Liter flow
38 CC's fortified milk 24 cal.
The official word on my condition by my podiatrist is: my right ankle is in between moderate to severely sprained.
As shown on the diagram, the top picture shows the outer side of the human foot. The three lines that are circled represent tendons which provide support and movement. As it was explained to me, because of the way our feet are designed, this is where 99 % of all the injuries occur (hairline fractures, compound fractures, sprains, etc) due to the design. The second diagram is the inner side of the human foot. This side has a triangular tendon that is much more durable and can withstand a lot more activity. In my case, with my fall and rolling my ankle under, there is probably a good chance that I tore the first tendon on the left side. However, since the swelling is confined to my ankle, and I don't have any blood or bruising under my skin or further down along my foot or heel, it is probable that the second tendon is just strained and not torn. The podiatrist took x-rays which did not show any hairline fractures, or broken bones. Tonight at 9:30, I had a MRI, which the results should be transmitted to the doctor's office by tomorrow or Friday to determine the full extent of the injury. In the meantime, I am wearing a prosthetic boot to allow for support and mobility (at a much slower pace than my normal walk, but at least I can stand and walk again) which I will need to wear for at least a month. Once the MRI results get back to the doctor, we will determine the next course of action of any.
More as it develops! 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
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-6-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Day two of the mad dash to get everything ready for Jacob's homecoming...I took off from work at Aker today and was very grateful to have Robby and Dad set some time aside to help me. Thank you very much guys!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 4 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
45 CC's of 22 calorie fortified milk
4 dirty diapers
8 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 9 oz
4 dirty diaper
8 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 x day
30 mg. baby tylenol every 6 hours (discontinued today)
21% Room Air, with .5 Liter flow
38 CC's fortified milk 27 cal.
Murphy's Law seems to be running pretty rampart tonight; it waits until you are all alone to show itself vehemently. Once Robby and Dad had left, and after I finished putting everything in the attic out of the spare bedroom and the baby's room, I misjudged the second-to-last rung of the attic ladder and fell, rolling my right ankle. After sitting on the hallway floor for 30 minutes and loudly shouting some "R" rated explicits, the pain had subsided enough for me to put my weight on it. So, everything was OK, right? No no, remember Murphy's law? By the time I finished cleaning up, and spent some time visiting with my next door neighbor, my ankle is now swollen up to the size of a tennis ball. Great. So, I'm off to take a Epsom-salt laden bath, put some ice on it and hope I can walk on it tomorrow. Sigh, the pains of parenthood...
More as it develops! 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
Day two of the mad dash to get everything ready for Jacob's homecoming...I took off from work at Aker today and was very grateful to have Robby and Dad set some time aside to help me. Thank you very much guys!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 4 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
45 CC's of 22 calorie fortified milk
4 dirty diapers
8 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 9 oz
4 dirty diaper
8 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 x day
30 mg. baby tylenol every 6 hours (discontinued today)
21% Room Air, with .5 Liter flow
38 CC's fortified milk 27 cal.
Murphy's Law seems to be running pretty rampart tonight; it waits until you are all alone to show itself vehemently. Once Robby and Dad had left, and after I finished putting everything in the attic out of the spare bedroom and the baby's room, I misjudged the second-to-last rung of the attic ladder and fell, rolling my right ankle. After sitting on the hallway floor for 30 minutes and loudly shouting some "R" rated explicits, the pain had subsided enough for me to put my weight on it. So, everything was OK, right? No no, remember Murphy's law? By the time I finished cleaning up, and spent some time visiting with my next door neighbor, my ankle is now swollen up to the size of a tennis ball. Great. So, I'm off to take a Epsom-salt laden bath, put some ice on it and hope I can walk on it tomorrow. Sigh, the pains of parenthood...
More as it develops! 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
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-5-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Today was cleaning day for the house by Sheri's friend Angie, which was done very well. The nursery was set up (functional only; decorations still have to be put up), cleaned and hospital-grade sterilized, and a good portion of the house received the same treatment from stem to stern. There are still some rooms left to clean, and with my construction crew (Dad & Robby) coming tomorrow to take care of some last minute house errands (decking over the garage in the attic, replacing the two torn up baseboards in the living room and installing the storm door we got from our next door neighbor (if it will fit), Sheri thought it was best to leave some to clean this weekend after the baby shower. We have a lot to cram in to get done before Jacob comes home; we have now been told he is scheduled to come home Monday Apr. 12 instead of Saturday Apr. 10. Here we go!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 2 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk
3 dirty diapers
8 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 8 oz
0 dirty diaper
9 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 x day
30 mg. baby tylenol every 6 hours (to help manage the pain of surgery and keep her comfortable)
21% Room Air, with .5 Liter flow
35 CC's fortified milk 27 cal.
More as it develops! 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
Today was cleaning day for the house by Sheri's friend Angie, which was done very well. The nursery was set up (functional only; decorations still have to be put up), cleaned and hospital-grade sterilized, and a good portion of the house received the same treatment from stem to stern. There are still some rooms left to clean, and with my construction crew (Dad & Robby) coming tomorrow to take care of some last minute house errands (decking over the garage in the attic, replacing the two torn up baseboards in the living room and installing the storm door we got from our next door neighbor (if it will fit), Sheri thought it was best to leave some to clean this weekend after the baby shower. We have a lot to cram in to get done before Jacob comes home; we have now been told he is scheduled to come home Monday Apr. 12 instead of Saturday Apr. 10. Here we go!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 2 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk
3 dirty diapers
8 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 8 oz
0 dirty diaper
9 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 x day
30 mg. baby tylenol every 6 hours (to help manage the pain of surgery and keep her comfortable)
21% Room Air, with .5 Liter flow
35 CC's fortified milk 27 cal.
More as it develops! 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
Monday, April 5, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-4-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jacob had another good day on bottle feeds, especially without any of his breathing assistance. When he is awake, he is bright eyed, bushy tailed, and rearing to go! Depending on how he takes the rest of his bottles tonight, tomorrow will be set for him to take feeds at his own pace. It will be our plan to keep him on the current schedule we have for him, but if all goes well, it will be up to him how much he has at each feeding. Also, the countdown is on for him to be sent home...possibly this weekend! We are nervous as can be, and this week will be a mad dash in between everything else, but we will bust arse to get it done so Jacob has a clean and safe environment to come home to. We also have a CPR training class for Sheri and I scheduled this Thursday at 7. It is required that we have it before he is released. The major stipulation for Jacob to go home now is 7 days with no brady cardia episodes, no desats, completely feeding on his own and breathing on his own. Hold on to your lugnuts, it's time for an overhaul!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 2.5 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
breathing Room Air completely unassisted
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with now 8 bottles a day!
5 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan is struggling a little with her bottle feeds, but the most important thing is to keep at it so she gets it down. Please pray for to take off running at this task with little to no effort so we can get her home too real soon (as it is now, Jacob will be going home before her, so we have a real task ahead of us!)
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 9 oz
0 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 x day (restarted when tube feeding began)
30 mg. baby tylenol every 6 hours (to help manage the pain of surgery and keep her comfortable)
21% Room Air, with .5 Liter flow
35 CC's fortified milk 27 cal.
I captured a video of both of the twins with matching green pacifiers, just chillin' out! See below!
More as it develops! 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
Jacob had another good day on bottle feeds, especially without any of his breathing assistance. When he is awake, he is bright eyed, bushy tailed, and rearing to go! Depending on how he takes the rest of his bottles tonight, tomorrow will be set for him to take feeds at his own pace. It will be our plan to keep him on the current schedule we have for him, but if all goes well, it will be up to him how much he has at each feeding. Also, the countdown is on for him to be sent home...possibly this weekend! We are nervous as can be, and this week will be a mad dash in between everything else, but we will bust arse to get it done so Jacob has a clean and safe environment to come home to. We also have a CPR training class for Sheri and I scheduled this Thursday at 7. It is required that we have it before he is released. The major stipulation for Jacob to go home now is 7 days with no brady cardia episodes, no desats, completely feeding on his own and breathing on his own. Hold on to your lugnuts, it's time for an overhaul!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 2.5 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
breathing Room Air completely unassisted
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with now 8 bottles a day!
5 dirty diapers
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan is struggling a little with her bottle feeds, but the most important thing is to keep at it so she gets it down. Please pray for to take off running at this task with little to no effort so we can get her home too real soon (as it is now, Jacob will be going home before her, so we have a real task ahead of us!)
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 9 oz
0 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 x day (restarted when tube feeding began)
30 mg. baby tylenol every 6 hours (to help manage the pain of surgery and keep her comfortable)
21% Room Air, with .5 Liter flow
35 CC's fortified milk 27 cal.
I captured a video of both of the twins with matching green pacifiers, just chillin' out! See below!
More as it develops! 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
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Happy Easter from The Cordova's!!
Kind regards,
The Cordova Family (Andy, Sheri, Jacob & Jordan)
cell - 281-300-6212
email - maverick2601@hotmail.com
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-3-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jordan was transitioned to the CPAP this morning, but after displaying signs of her mother's feistiness and many bouts of pulling the CPAP out of her nose when the nurses weren't looking, it was decided to put her on the nasal cannula and hope for the best, which made her tons happier and displayed no breathing issues the entire day. Jordan had also shown good readings enough to not need her TPN and Lipid fluids (yeeeaaaahhhh! sometimes, being feisty is good!) Today will also be Jordan's first day back on tube feeding, starting her off at small cc's and gradually building her back up.
The next step for her will be to get her out of the warmer bed, back into the crib with her brother and hopefully start trying to bottle feed again. Let's hope for the best!
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 8 oz
1 dirty diaper
7 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
1 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics
potassium 2 x day
tube feeds started today at 12 pm, 20 ml
21% Room Air on 1 Liter flow
And...more forward motion for Jacob...Jacob has been taken off of the nasal cannula and is doing so well!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 1 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Breathing completely on Room Air, no assistance!
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with now 6 bottles a day!
3 dirty diapers
7 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
I had an exciting day with Jacob as well...He took a whole bottle today on Formula, and he burped for me (I know it sounds crazy, but ya'll have to understand. Jacob only burps for his momma and Gramma Susu (I usually get the burp from the stinky end and have to change him mid feed, so this was big for me!)
More as it develops! 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
Jordan was transitioned to the CPAP this morning, but after displaying signs of her mother's feistiness and many bouts of pulling the CPAP out of her nose when the nurses weren't looking, it was decided to put her on the nasal cannula and hope for the best, which made her tons happier and displayed no breathing issues the entire day. Jordan had also shown good readings enough to not need her TPN and Lipid fluids (yeeeaaaahhhh! sometimes, being feisty is good!) Today will also be Jordan's first day back on tube feeding, starting her off at small cc's and gradually building her back up.
The next step for her will be to get her out of the warmer bed, back into the crib with her brother and hopefully start trying to bottle feed again. Let's hope for the best!
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 8 oz
1 dirty diaper
7 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
1 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics
potassium 2 x day
tube feeds started today at 12 pm, 20 ml
21% Room Air on 1 Liter flow
And...more forward motion for Jacob...Jacob has been taken off of the nasal cannula and is doing so well!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 1 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
Breathing completely on Room Air, no assistance!
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with now 6 bottles a day!
3 dirty diapers
7 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
I had an exciting day with Jacob as well...He took a whole bottle today on Formula, and he burped for me (I know it sounds crazy, but ya'll have to understand. Jacob only burps for his momma and Gramma Susu (I usually get the burp from the stinky end and have to change him mid feed, so this was big for me!)
More as it develops! 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
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-2-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jordan is resting comfortably this evening, and has already begun to show signs of breathing over her respirator. As long as the progression trend stays on its current path, she should be off of it by 6 am tomorrow morning. At various times tonight, Melinda will run various "blood gas" tests to see how much oxygen is in her blood and monitor her respiratory rate. Tomorrow morning will also determine if Jordan needs to transition up to the CPAP, or the cardiologist and MD may put her on a nasal cannula and see how she does, depending on how she did during tonight into the early am hours, as well as starting on moderate feeds once she is able. Another echo cardiogram will be scheduled for Monday to re-verify that all is well. To re-iterate, the surgery was successful.
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 9 oz (amazing, given all you have been through baby girl, congratulations!)
9.4 CC's TPN (needed since she is currently back on the respirator, but will be decreased as she continues to show improvement in her breathing)
.9 CC's lipids (also needed since she is currently back on the respirator)
30 Breaths Per Minute (BPM) ventilation setting on ventilator
0 dirty diaper
4 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics (the plan is to keep her on these for now until we get a better feel for how fast her breathing improves)
Potassium (no extra currently needed; she is getting it in the TPN and Lipids for now)
Please continue to pray for good results and forward progress for her.
We also have another celebration...Jacob has officially reached the 4 lb. marker tonight! Fabulous! We also have been told that as long as Jacob continues to progress like he is now, there is a very good chance he could be taken off the nasal cannula next week and be breathing on his own with no assistance! We are so proud!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 0 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air on the nasal cannula, with .25 liter flow
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with now 5 bottles a day!
4 dirty diapers
6 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Mom also captured these cute video ops early this morning way before Jordan went into surgery. Our little two peas in a pod, including matching pacifiers!
More as it develops! 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
Jordan is resting comfortably this evening, and has already begun to show signs of breathing over her respirator. As long as the progression trend stays on its current path, she should be off of it by 6 am tomorrow morning. At various times tonight, Melinda will run various "blood gas" tests to see how much oxygen is in her blood and monitor her respiratory rate. Tomorrow morning will also determine if Jordan needs to transition up to the CPAP, or the cardiologist and MD may put her on a nasal cannula and see how she does, depending on how she did during tonight into the early am hours, as well as starting on moderate feeds once she is able. Another echo cardiogram will be scheduled for Monday to re-verify that all is well. To re-iterate, the surgery was successful.
Jordan's official numbers for the day are:
4 lbs. 9 oz (amazing, given all you have been through baby girl, congratulations!)
9.4 CC's TPN (needed since she is currently back on the respirator, but will be decreased as she continues to show improvement in her breathing)
.9 CC's lipids (also needed since she is currently back on the respirator)
30 Breaths Per Minute (BPM) ventilation setting on ventilator
0 dirty diaper
4 wet diapers
0 brady episodes
0 desats
daily dose Lasix diuretics (the plan is to keep her on these for now until we get a better feel for how fast her breathing improves)
Potassium (no extra currently needed; she is getting it in the TPN and Lipids for now)
Please continue to pray for good results and forward progress for her.
We also have another celebration...Jacob has officially reached the 4 lb. marker tonight! Fabulous! We also have been told that as long as Jacob continues to progress like he is now, there is a very good chance he could be taken off the nasal cannula next week and be breathing on his own with no assistance! We are so proud!
Jacob's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 0 oz.
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air on the nasal cannula, with .25 liter flow
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with now 5 bottles a day!
4 dirty diapers
6 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Mom also captured these cute video ops early this morning way before Jordan went into surgery. Our little two peas in a pod, including matching pacifiers!
More as it develops! 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
Friday, April 2, 2010
Jordan PDA Surgery update 4-2-10 1:39 pm
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Jordan has just been brought back from her surgery. From Sheri and I talking to one of the managers, the surgery went very well. Currently, she is back in the pod being put into the warmer bed, and all the IV's, lines and monitors are being put in place. The manager explained that Jordan is temporarily paralyzed (a side effect of the anesthesia) but this will wear off, and then once Jordan starts to breathe on her own again well, she could transition off the ventilator to the CPAP (or skip this step altogether) and go back to the nasal cannula. Jordan also did well in surgery prep with her ventilator and IV being put in. For feeds tonight, she will be getting IV fluids only; the doctors and nurses plan to begin to re-introduce mother's milk starting tomorrow morning through the feeding tube depending on her readings.
Now it's up to her to set her progressive trend. We will be praying for her to take off running, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers too.
More as it develops! 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
Jordan has just been brought back from her surgery. From Sheri and I talking to one of the managers, the surgery went very well. Currently, she is back in the pod being put into the warmer bed, and all the IV's, lines and monitors are being put in place. The manager explained that Jordan is temporarily paralyzed (a side effect of the anesthesia) but this will wear off, and then once Jordan starts to breathe on her own again well, she could transition off the ventilator to the CPAP (or skip this step altogether) and go back to the nasal cannula. Jordan also did well in surgery prep with her ventilator and IV being put in. For feeds tonight, she will be getting IV fluids only; the doctors and nurses plan to begin to re-introduce mother's milk starting tomorrow morning through the feeding tube depending on her readings.
Now it's up to her to set her progressive trend. We will be praying for her to take off running, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers too.
More as it develops! 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
Jordan PDA surgery Update 4-2-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
Just a quick update...I took off work from the church today to be here with Sheri and Jordan. It's about 7:47 am right now, and Sheri and I are waiting for Jordan to go back for her PDA surgery (she'll depart from the pod, and return to the same pod [sheep pod A, where we have been since we were moved] once the surgery is finished, whereby she will be placed in a warmer bed for a little while. Sheri is holding Jordan right now. In the meantime, Jacob will keep the crib warm (and enjoy stretching out for a little bit, before his sister returns!)
Mom and Dad are on their way (they actually just pulled up into the parking garage), and Sheri's older brother Robby will be up here soon as well. Sheri's mom, Rae, will be up here as soon as she can; she has some things to take care of at home for her roof. So we will have family with us for this big day for baby girl Jordan (lets all wish her the best of luck and great results)
More as it develops! 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
Just a quick update...I took off work from the church today to be here with Sheri and Jordan. It's about 7:47 am right now, and Sheri and I are waiting for Jordan to go back for her PDA surgery (she'll depart from the pod, and return to the same pod [sheep pod A, where we have been since we were moved] once the surgery is finished, whereby she will be placed in a warmer bed for a little while. Sheri is holding Jordan right now. In the meantime, Jacob will keep the crib warm (and enjoy stretching out for a little bit, before his sister returns!)
Mom and Dad are on their way (they actually just pulled up into the parking garage), and Sheri's older brother Robby will be up here soon as well. Sheri's mom, Rae, will be up here as soon as she can; she has some things to take care of at home for her roof. So we will have family with us for this big day for baby girl Jordan (lets all wish her the best of luck and great results)
More as it develops! 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
Jacob & Jordan Update 4-1-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
It was decided this evening that Jordan would have the surgery on her PDA tomorrow morning instead of next week. We don't know as to what time that will be yet, but it will be sometime after 7:30 a.m. While I am still sure the procedure will go off without a hitch, please pray for Jordan to have a successful procedure and quick recovery (never hurts to have a little extra prayer).
For the twins' official report for the day:
Jacob's official report for the day:
3 lbs. 15 oz. (so close to 4 lbs, just one more oz. baby boy!)
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air on the nasal cannula, with .5 liter flow
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with 4 bottles a day
6 dirty diapers (the poopin' machine strikes again! ;) )
6 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 8 oz
21-25% FIO2, with .5 Liter flow nasal cannula
35 CC's of 27 calorie fortified milk, with 2 bottles a day
0 dirty diaper
6 wet diapers
2 brady episodes
2 desats
0 CC residuals
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 times a day
1 Throw up (wait, what's up with that baby girl? I know that formula the hospital is feeding you can't taste that great, but don't spit it up! You need that nasty stuff to grow big and strong!)
Nothing new on the primary additions just yet. We'll fill you in as soon as we know something.
More as it develops! 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
It was decided this evening that Jordan would have the surgery on her PDA tomorrow morning instead of next week. We don't know as to what time that will be yet, but it will be sometime after 7:30 a.m. While I am still sure the procedure will go off without a hitch, please pray for Jordan to have a successful procedure and quick recovery (never hurts to have a little extra prayer).
For the twins' official report for the day:
Jacob's official report for the day:
3 lbs. 15 oz. (so close to 4 lbs, just one more oz. baby boy!)
0 brady episodes
0 desats
21% Room Air on the nasal cannula, with .5 liter flow
37 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with 4 bottles a day
6 dirty diapers (the poopin' machine strikes again! ;) )
6 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 8 oz
21-25% FIO2, with .5 Liter flow nasal cannula
35 CC's of 27 calorie fortified milk, with 2 bottles a day
0 dirty diaper
6 wet diapers
2 brady episodes
2 desats
0 CC residuals
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 times a day
1 Throw up (wait, what's up with that baby girl? I know that formula the hospital is feeding you can't taste that great, but don't spit it up! You need that nasty stuff to grow big and strong!)
Nothing new on the primary additions just yet. We'll fill you in as soon as we know something.
More as it develops! 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
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Jacob & Jordan Update 3-31-10
Family, Friends, Prayer Warriors,
For our long standing followers of this blog, and to our recent visitors (welcome), our daughter Jordan has undergone increasing difficulties since her birth with her PDA and bottle feedings. Even though the two items are related (one inadvertently affects the other), as Jordan has had a successful progressive history for weight and tube feeding CC's despite her rapid breathing, the condition has now caused enough of a hindrance to the point that it is impacting her increasing her bottle feeds and transition off of the nasal cannula. This poses a hiccup on going home with little to no assistance as we would like to happen and would be better for her; as long as Jordan is not able to take the hospital's requirements for adequate and sustaining feeds, and cannot go for seven days without brady cardia or desat episodes, she will not be able to be released from the hospital. The doctor's, cardiologist, and Sheri and I have agreed that we must now allow for more internal means of closing this PDA, i.e. surgery. I had a chance to finally speak with the Cardiologist who is on rotation this month for March, Dr. Denktaf, today.
Dr. Denktaf explained that the issues that Jordan is having with faster breathing, which is now impacting how many CC's of mother's milk and/or formula, and how many bottles she can consume in a day, is directly affected by her PDA. The mild stenosis on Jordan's Aortic Valve does not impact her breathing and feeding difficulties and will not be be addressed at this point (it will continue to be watched, even into Jordan's later years. For a detailed description of Jordan's stenosis and PDA, see the March 19, 2010 update on the blog).
As Jordan's condition is right now, the PDA still has not closed. When the PDA issue was first brought to our attention, the doctors had these courses of action to correct it (preferably before Jordan reached the 6 month marker):
* medicine given intravenously to close the PDA (usually given within the first few weeks of life on babies with more severe breathing issues, not the case with Jordan); Jordan has continued to do well with increased feeds and weight gain in spite of the PDA issue, and has outgrown the medicine option.
* duretics and conservative restriction of fluids (Jordan has been on this for a while now, and has flushed out excess fluids in her body thereby promoting healthy weight gain [no fluids on her lungs or heart thankfully] since receiving), but her PDA still remains open.
* coil procedure (catheter is inserted in Jordan's groin area, and winding through other blood vessels to plug up the PDA vessel and close it from the inside out); Jordan is not old enough, nor large enough weight-wise to have this done. She would have to be released from the hospital, at least 6 mos. of age and have stronger blood vessels (preemies tend to have weaker blood vessels because of their size) before this would be an option. I had previously reported this procedure to all of you before as a clip would be inserted to close off the PDA vessel, and this was clarified for me by the twins' doctor today that it is actually closed off internally by putting a small surgical knot inside the vessel.
* surgery (performed by a cardiovascular surgeon, not the cardiologist). Jordan would be put under anesthetic and inebated, a moderate incision would be made in the left side of her chest in between her ribs (not open heart surgery where they would have to open her chest), and the cardiovascular surgeon would go in and surgically disconnect the PDA vessel by putting a surgical clip on or tying off the vessel to permanently close it. The cardiologist recommends that the vessel be clipped and sealed, if it was tied off, it could possibly re-open. It is estimated that the surgery would take about twenty to thirty minutes once Jordan was properly prepared.
Jordan's recovery rate would be entirely up to her, and when her breathing normalized (again, up to her) and her feeds resumed and met the hospital requirements for her breathing, milk and/or formula consumption and weight, Jordan could go home.
As today was her last day on this month before a new cardiologist came on for April, Dr. Denktaf would have to brief the new cardiologist, Dr. Arnold, and the cardiovascular surgeon coming on shift for April on her recommendation, and then Dr. Arnold would have another consult with Sheri and I prior to any decisions and surgery times scheduled. Dr. Denktaf also let me know that this surgery which she is recommending (and is also recommended by Dr. Arnold), would be a safe and very routine procedure with a high success rate, and is usually suggested when premature babies with PDA issues come along, after other non-evasive or much less evasive methods are attempted.
Jordan's Aortic Valve
-----------------------
I also received a further detailed explanation on Jordan's Aortic Valve stenosis (I mention this only for your information; keep in mind, Jordan has a mild case of stenosis and this does not impact her PDA issue, or her feeding issue, and will be watched for now. There is a very good chance that she could go through life with this and still be able to do everything a normal kid/adult can do (we will continue to pray for that)).
Normally, an Aortic Valve has three leaflets (envision in your mind a Fleur-De-Li, or a three leaf clover). In Jordan's case, she has two leaflets that have grown together, and one of them is somewhat smaller, which is causing the stenosis. As I mentioned before in the blog entry dated March 19, 2010, Jordan could have a balloon procedure performed on her later (where a catheter would be inserted in her groin area, and routed up to her valve to expand it [like a stint procedure on an adult], or if blood flow from her heart was severely restricted enough in later years, Jordan would have to have the valve replaced. There have been many cases though where people have mild stenosis and are still able to fully perform all sorts of tasks (running, jumping, playing, etc.)
For the twins' official report for the day:
Jacob's official report for the day:
3 lbs. 14 oz.
3 brady episodes
1 desats
21-30% FIO2 on the nasal cannula, with .5 liter flow
35 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with 4 bottles a day
3 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 7 oz
21-30% FIO2, with .5 Liter flow nasal cannula
35 CC's of 27 calorie fortified milk, with 2 bottles a day
2 dirty diaper
6 wet diapers
3 brady episodes
3 desats
1.6 CC residuals
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 times a day
Sheri and I have also made inquires to the nurse's manager tonight, as well as individually talking to some regular night shift nurses in efforts to have more consistent coverage in the evenings with the twins. While we have met a lot of very accommodating, knowledgeable, and friendly nurses and staff along the way since the twins arrived at Children's Memorial Hermann, it is our feeling (which is also supported by the staff there as well, and are very thankful and appreciative of that), to have a steady presence of nurses who can really get to know the In's and outs of both our babies and us. This reinforces a comfort and thriving level for the babies by giving them a few additional familiar faces to work with, and allows us to rest a little easier and gives us some flexibility to do we what we need to do for a short while and get back up there to be there for them as quickly as possible. We are pretty close to getting that squared away, and will let you know who the new additions will be very soon!
Both babies have done extremely well, even with all the issues presented to them thus far thanks to your continued prayers and wishes. Please continue to pray for both of the twins, and we are sure Jordan will come through this bump in the road with flying colors a healthy and happy little girl!
More as it develops! 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
For our long standing followers of this blog, and to our recent visitors (welcome), our daughter Jordan has undergone increasing difficulties since her birth with her PDA and bottle feedings. Even though the two items are related (one inadvertently affects the other), as Jordan has had a successful progressive history for weight and tube feeding CC's despite her rapid breathing, the condition has now caused enough of a hindrance to the point that it is impacting her increasing her bottle feeds and transition off of the nasal cannula. This poses a hiccup on going home with little to no assistance as we would like to happen and would be better for her; as long as Jordan is not able to take the hospital's requirements for adequate and sustaining feeds, and cannot go for seven days without brady cardia or desat episodes, she will not be able to be released from the hospital. The doctor's, cardiologist, and Sheri and I have agreed that we must now allow for more internal means of closing this PDA, i.e. surgery. I had a chance to finally speak with the Cardiologist who is on rotation this month for March, Dr. Denktaf, today.
Dr. Denktaf explained that the issues that Jordan is having with faster breathing, which is now impacting how many CC's of mother's milk and/or formula, and how many bottles she can consume in a day, is directly affected by her PDA. The mild stenosis on Jordan's Aortic Valve does not impact her breathing and feeding difficulties and will not be be addressed at this point (it will continue to be watched, even into Jordan's later years. For a detailed description of Jordan's stenosis and PDA, see the March 19, 2010 update on the blog).
As Jordan's condition is right now, the PDA still has not closed. When the PDA issue was first brought to our attention, the doctors had these courses of action to correct it (preferably before Jordan reached the 6 month marker):
* medicine given intravenously to close the PDA (usually given within the first few weeks of life on babies with more severe breathing issues, not the case with Jordan); Jordan has continued to do well with increased feeds and weight gain in spite of the PDA issue, and has outgrown the medicine option.
* duretics and conservative restriction of fluids (Jordan has been on this for a while now, and has flushed out excess fluids in her body thereby promoting healthy weight gain [no fluids on her lungs or heart thankfully] since receiving), but her PDA still remains open.
* coil procedure (catheter is inserted in Jordan's groin area, and winding through other blood vessels to plug up the PDA vessel and close it from the inside out); Jordan is not old enough, nor large enough weight-wise to have this done. She would have to be released from the hospital, at least 6 mos. of age and have stronger blood vessels (preemies tend to have weaker blood vessels because of their size) before this would be an option. I had previously reported this procedure to all of you before as a clip would be inserted to close off the PDA vessel, and this was clarified for me by the twins' doctor today that it is actually closed off internally by putting a small surgical knot inside the vessel.
* surgery (performed by a cardiovascular surgeon, not the cardiologist). Jordan would be put under anesthetic and inebated, a moderate incision would be made in the left side of her chest in between her ribs (not open heart surgery where they would have to open her chest), and the cardiovascular surgeon would go in and surgically disconnect the PDA vessel by putting a surgical clip on or tying off the vessel to permanently close it. The cardiologist recommends that the vessel be clipped and sealed, if it was tied off, it could possibly re-open. It is estimated that the surgery would take about twenty to thirty minutes once Jordan was properly prepared.
Jordan's recovery rate would be entirely up to her, and when her breathing normalized (again, up to her) and her feeds resumed and met the hospital requirements for her breathing, milk and/or formula consumption and weight, Jordan could go home.
As today was her last day on this month before a new cardiologist came on for April, Dr. Denktaf would have to brief the new cardiologist, Dr. Arnold, and the cardiovascular surgeon coming on shift for April on her recommendation, and then Dr. Arnold would have another consult with Sheri and I prior to any decisions and surgery times scheduled. Dr. Denktaf also let me know that this surgery which she is recommending (and is also recommended by Dr. Arnold), would be a safe and very routine procedure with a high success rate, and is usually suggested when premature babies with PDA issues come along, after other non-evasive or much less evasive methods are attempted.
Jordan's Aortic Valve
-----------------------
I also received a further detailed explanation on Jordan's Aortic Valve stenosis (I mention this only for your information; keep in mind, Jordan has a mild case of stenosis and this does not impact her PDA issue, or her feeding issue, and will be watched for now. There is a very good chance that she could go through life with this and still be able to do everything a normal kid/adult can do (we will continue to pray for that)).
Normally, an Aortic Valve has three leaflets (envision in your mind a Fleur-De-Li, or a three leaf clover). In Jordan's case, she has two leaflets that have grown together, and one of them is somewhat smaller, which is causing the stenosis. As I mentioned before in the blog entry dated March 19, 2010, Jordan could have a balloon procedure performed on her later (where a catheter would be inserted in her groin area, and routed up to her valve to expand it [like a stint procedure on an adult], or if blood flow from her heart was severely restricted enough in later years, Jordan would have to have the valve replaced. There have been many cases though where people have mild stenosis and are still able to fully perform all sorts of tasks (running, jumping, playing, etc.)
For the twins' official report for the day:
Jacob's official report for the day:
3 lbs. 14 oz.
3 brady episodes
1 desats
21-30% FIO2 on the nasal cannula, with .5 liter flow
35 CC's of 24 calorie fortified milk, with 4 bottles a day
3 dirty diaper
5 wet diapers
0 CC's residuals
Jordan's official report for the day:
4 lbs. 7 oz
21-30% FIO2, with .5 Liter flow nasal cannula
35 CC's of 27 calorie fortified milk, with 2 bottles a day
2 dirty diaper
6 wet diapers
3 brady episodes
3 desats
1.6 CC residuals
daily dose Lasix diuretics
Potassium 4 times a day
Sheri and I have also made inquires to the nurse's manager tonight, as well as individually talking to some regular night shift nurses in efforts to have more consistent coverage in the evenings with the twins. While we have met a lot of very accommodating, knowledgeable, and friendly nurses and staff along the way since the twins arrived at Children's Memorial Hermann, it is our feeling (which is also supported by the staff there as well, and are very thankful and appreciative of that), to have a steady presence of nurses who can really get to know the In's and outs of both our babies and us. This reinforces a comfort and thriving level for the babies by giving them a few additional familiar faces to work with, and allows us to rest a little easier and gives us some flexibility to do we what we need to do for a short while and get back up there to be there for them as quickly as possible. We are pretty close to getting that squared away, and will let you know who the new additions will be very soon!
Both babies have done extremely well, even with all the issues presented to them thus far thanks to your continued prayers and wishes. Please continue to pray for both of the twins, and we are sure Jordan will come through this bump in the road with flying colors a healthy and happy little girl!
More as it develops! 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
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