Baby Cortez » Quick SMS Notes

8:40 AM

Oscar — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:34:30 +0000

“Max’s RN for the morning, Alison, just finished changing out some of his tubes and administering another dose of phenylbarbital. He is looking even puffier today … due to his not urinating and the continuing need to give him fluids to keep his blood sugar up.”

“Daddy is with him right now and Jodie should be joining them in a few minutes.”

“From the rising of the sun, to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” – Psalms 113:3

10:55 PM

Oscar — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:03:10 +0000

“Jodie and I are staying at the hospital tonight, in a ‘nesting room’ only a few feet from Max’s room. We will probably be up a good portion of the night with him and we will be here all day tomorrow … feel free to stop by and visit … we would love to see you! His RN tonight is Carla, who is doing a great job making the little guy comfortable.”

Our Family

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

9:53 AM

Oscar — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:07:20 +0000

“Jo and I are getting ready now, to first pick up Colby, then head to the hospital. We should get there right as the 10am to 12 noon quiet time is ending. Steph and Susie will be joining us before the 2pm meeting.”

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? … Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalms 42

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalms 18

12:28 AM

Oscar — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:32:42 +0000

“Just called Kim, Max’s RN for tonight, and she said that when they checked at 11:30, his potassium level was still high, so they started him on medication to help lower it (through a new IV in his scalp). When we left, his potassium was at 8.2 and a normal/preferable level is around 3.5 …”

8:29 PM

Oscar — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:29:46 +0000

“Shelly just gave him some phenylbarbital, which is for seizures. Max has had it before.”

“Jo and I are here with Max, relaxing and listening to some music …”

Cute little Guy

5:19 PM

Oscar — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:40:03 +0000

“Jodie and I are back at the hospital, and as well as Max was doing yesterday, his current nurse, Jennifer, let us know that he is “touchy” today … his blood pressure has been low, so she increased his dopamine from 3 mcg to 4 and now 7. She also gave him some phetanyl (painkiller) when she bathed him earlier this morning.”

“He is 7 lbs, 2 ounces as of last night, but our conversation last week with another nurse let us know that a good amount of the weight gain is due to edema (fluid accumulation beneath the skin). His RN from last night, Kim, also said that the yellowish fluid we had seen from his eyes may also be related to the edema, since tear ducts are another way for fluid to leave our systems. During the afternoon yesterday, he received another dose of lasix, a diuretic that is to help with the edema.”

“The Child Life representative, Amber, stopped by to see us a few minutes ago and let us know that she would be at the Family Meeting we have scheduled with the doctor(s), tomorrow at 2pm.”

“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD : ‘O LORD, save me!’” – Psalm 116:1-4

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’” – Lamentations 3:22-24

3:51 PM

Oscar — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:50:58 +0000

“Jodie, me and almost the entire Cortez family (minus little Joey and plus Max’s Great Grandma Dolly) are here today at the hospital, taking turns seeing the little cutie.”

“His nurse from yesterday and today is Carrie, who we really like. She let us know that he is doing about the same … his oxygen is around 21-22%, which is right around what we normally breathe. His blood pressure has fluctuated a little, he is still only on dopamine at 4.”

“Jodie is excited to see that his little trigger light has been going off quite a few times today … especially when my sister Margie was with him. Seems he knows who gave us those really good cookies when she was pregnant ”

“The RN also mentioned that he did well on his eye exam this morning. He still didn’t necessarily like it, but was much less resistant than previously. She did notice some yellowish tears, but thinks this is related to the jaundice.”

“Still have so many pictures that I need to upload, but the hospital wireless is not working right now and this is where we are most of the time nowadays.”

1:48 PM

Oscar — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:48:45 +0000

Jodie is at the hospital almost all of today with Max and she just texted me the following update: “He looks a little less puffy the nurse and I think … I love this little guy! Oh he’s still only 4 on dopamine and they put his lipids back on. Nothing other than that.”

6:06 PM

Oscar — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:06:48 +0000

“Jodie, Steph and Colby are at the hospital now … baby Max is off of the dobutamine entirely and his catheter is out (so he has a diaper on). I am going to see if I can leave work early to join them soon.”

12:36 PM

Oscar — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:36:48 +0000

“Just talked to Max’s Resident Nurse for the day, Jody, and his condition is still the same … I think her exact words were ‘status quo’. Both his dopamine and dobutamine are low (4 and 2, respectively), but they haven’t weaned him off of any more dobutamine because his blood pressure hasn’t been consistent at the level where they want it (at an average of 45).”

“He had his abdominal ultrasound this morning and should have the results back this afternoon. One of the reasons for this ultrasound is to see what issue he is having with his liver. They suspect a problem because of him not responding to the billirubin lights (besides getting a tan) and because they had to take him off of the lipids the day before yesterday (because his levels were too high … i.e. not being processed effectively).”

“At least today and tomorrow I have to teach until 9PM and even though Colby is awesome and been available to Jodie to the hospital each day, I am sure they both would enjoy any additional visitors between now and then.”