Max's accident, God's care

It's Monday November 3rd and time for lunch. I set my sweet baby Max on his pillow so I can go wash sister's hands before she eats. Max's large baby pillow usually cocoons him well when I place it on the counter top up against the bar. I like it here because he can join us as we eat or as I cook or clean in the kitchen and he can have a good view of all of us. This time I was careless and did not turn the pillow the way it should have been turned to protect my baby from scooting off of it should he decide to start moving around. I was on the phone with Victor and went to wash Maddie's hands when I heard the cries. Initially I thought Max was just having gas pain but when I went to the kitchen and saw the empty pillow I ran to scoop my baby up from the floor.



My nightmare began.



I held Max, trying to sooth him, looking him over for injury. I called his doctor and she told me to take him to the ER. I loaded up Maddie and Max, called my neighbor and told her "Max has fallen, I'm taking him to the ER, can you watch Maddie?" She said she'd be waiting for me outside. After I dropped off Maddie I prayed the whole way to the hospital while Max sucked on my pinkie...I didn't want him passing out. I arrived 30 minutes after the fall and walked up to the counter. As I recounted what happened to the clerk that is when it hit me. I could barely speak through the tears. The staff there put him in the front of the line for a cat scan. They led me to a room where I just held Max tightly and waited for Victor to arrive. The doctor came in and told me what he observed from the cat scan....Max had a depressed skull fracture and some fluid build up but it was outside the brain. We had to wait to see what the neurologist thought should be done to correct the fracture. During our wait I had to hold Max as he had every bone in his body x-rayed and then hold him as he received an IV in his hand. As you can imagine neither one of these experiences was easy for him or mom. I cried right along with him. The whole time I'm berating myself..."my precious 7 week old baby wouldn't be in this pain, if I was just more careful!!!"

Some time later we were called in to view the cat scan and hear what no parent wants to hear...we must do surgery to correct the fracture and drain the fluid. I then had to review all that could go wrong while Max is under anesthesia and in surgery and initial my consent to these procedures.

By this time word had spread like wild fire and many were in prayer for all of us. My sweet mentor had joined Victor and I early on and several others including elders from our church family came to pray over Max and be there for support. I know that this is what pulled us through this tragic day and what pulled Max through surgery successfully. The prep. and surgery itself took approximately 2 hours. The doc said it went very well. They were able to realign the bone and drain the fluid. I could nurse him after the anesthesia wore off. I was given the green light to feed him at midnight. Even though he was having fluids it killed me that I could not fed my baby all day. After an initial spit up, he fed very well all night long in the NICU.



At 5am they did another cat scan to see how everything looked and to make sure fluid did not start building up again. The doctor came in about 8am and was very positive. Everything looked great, no fluid build up, and we could be moved down to a regular room as soon as a bed opens up. He needed to stay for 24 more hours for observation but could be released to go home if all looked well the next day.

That night was the hardest night. We were moved to a shared room with a crib for Max and chair for me to sleep in. There was no place for Victor to sleep so he stayed until 11ish then met back up with us in the morning. Our nurse for the night shift was not good. He smelled strongly of cigarette smoke and was causing Max and everyone else in our room to keep sneezing. Ugh! There's got to be some rule against this! He was rude and not gentle with Max. Victor and I were obviously very unhappy about this. I didn't want to complain and then have the same nurse be vengeful in any way. After praying and looking in the handbook to see who we needed to speak with, we called in the charge nurse and told her our concerns and that we would like another nurse. She assigned a new nurse to us who was much nicer and more gentle (and didn't wreak of smoke!). I think I got about 2 hours of sleep that night. Max was okay but between the loud snoring on the other side of the curtain, cries from other patients, alarms going off every time a monitor was slightly moved, and trying to feed Max with all those dang monitors, IV, and tube...I was beyond weary. Yet, the Lord is merciful and near. A new day has dawned and a new nurse entered. In walked a sweet girl from church who just happened to be our nurse for the morning! She was a joyful sight for sore, tired eyes. Tears came to my eyes and the verse about "weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning" came to my mind. Thank you, Lord...you truly are near to the broken hearted and close to those crushed in spirit.
Shortly after breakfast (they feed the nursing mommies), Max's doctor entered and said he looks terrific and it's time to go home! Max had a tube just under his scalp to drain any extra fluid. She had to take this out and sueter up. I was like "um, don't you have to numb him first???" She told me to numb him would hurt worse than this quick sueter she has to put in. She did it quickly and Max was calmed as soon as I held him in my arms. The monitors and IV were removed. Finally! I could hold my baby without all those hindrances! Smooth skin on skin. It was the best feeling. He must have felt the same way because he started smiling at Victor and me for the very first time right there in the hospital room. It was like he was telling us "I'm going to be okay mommy and daddy".

Monday evening Max had head surgery. Wednesday morning we are released to go home. Originally it was said that we'd most likely have to stay in the NICU for 2 days then 3 more days on the regular floor. Oh, praise God we did not have to do this! We serve a merciful and gracious Lord. We have been able to sleep in our bed for the last 3 nights and it has been wonderful! The outpouring of love, prayers (and food!) has been incredible! Victor and I have been so embraced and loved by our church family and many other family members and friends during this time. We had 6 different elders from Oakhills Church come to pray over Max and many others as well. We are humbled and grateful for the many prayers and love that has been shown to us. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all those who prayed, visited, brought food, cared for Madison, and expressed to us your love and concern. Please continue to pray for a complete recovery for Max and also for my heart that grieves that my sweet 7 week old baby had to endure such pain. I'm just so thankful that he is okay and that's what I need to focus on.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is here, that he is with us, and that His love is covering us.

Isaiah 43:1,2

This is what the Lord says-

he who created you...

he who formed you..

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name;

you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass thorugh the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned

For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior

Answered Prayer

What does Mexico, motorcycles, and miracles have in common? This past week the common denominator was my dad. My dad picked up an exciting hobby of motorcycle riding awhile back. It's always made me a little uneasy. Especially when he'd go on these long trips. This time it was to the grand canyon of Mexico called Cooper Canyon. And this time it made me more than "a little uneasy". In fact, the night before he left we had dinner together and when I hugged him good-bye I was praying to God that that would not be the last time I hugged my dad. I prayed the whole way home for him. Off and on through out the week I felt strongly compelled to pray for his safety.
Last Saturday afternoon I received a phone call from my step mom, Becky. She told me that my dad had been in an accident, he's fine, but that he had collided with a car. Here is what happened in my dad's words:

As some of you may now know, I went to Mexico's version of our Grand Canyon called Copper canyon and rode motorcycles with some friends. We had a great week of riding and enjoying many vistas. We were traveling on very twisty mountain roads and came upon a vista on the left side of the road. My riding buddies, Jeremy and Andy had already arrived and pulled over. I attempted to pull over when I noticed I had pulled right in front of an on-coming vehicle. He pulled over to my lane to avoid hitting me and I immediately tried to get back to my lane and in doing so we had a head on collision. Jeremy and Andy heard a big 'boom!" and turned to see my bike flying and me rolling down the road. I came to rest in a ditch by the side of the road. Fortunately, the driver of the car was a doctor and came to my assistance. What could have been, what should have been, an accident that resulted in serious injury or death, ending up with some superficial scrapes and bruises. As I was lying there the only thing that hurt was scraped knees and elbow... I could have gotten up immediately but the smart doctor wanted me to lie still for the ambulance. Eventually I ended up in 3 hours away in a hospital in Chihuahua City for a couple of days recuperating. I had no broken bones nor internal injuries... just some bruises that are healing. It truly has been a miracle that that is all that has happened to me. Before the trip I had purchased emergency medi-vac which covered all of my doctor and hospital bills and flew me home at no cost. It'll be a while before I ride again, if ever. Riding can be dangerous, especially in Mexico. It is a lot of fun riding off-road and getting to see sites most people won't ever see if they are in their vehicles. Attached are some pictures of my destroyed bike and the car in which I had hit hard enough to push his front wheel back and blow his tire. I missed all of the car (flying over?) and landed on a down hill grade so that may have softened my fall....

Now how many motorcyclists do you know who have had a head on collision with a car and lived to tell about it or at least wasn't seriously injured? A miracle is the only explanation. The doctor on the scene couldn't believe it either! I share this story to give thanks to the Lord for hearing my prayers and for sparing my dad's life and also to encourage everyone out there to PRAY when prompted(especially for the dearly loved motorcyclists in your life!). You never know what miracles are taking place when you pray.

Sweet Sister

Madison loves holding Max and asks to frequently. She is surprisingly gentle with him...most of the time.

Hold On Tight, Max!

Max was sleeping calmly in his swing and Maddie was playing...finally a chance to put on a little make up. That was until I heard these words from my daughter's mouth : "Hold on tight, Max!"
Quickly I ran to my room to find big sister helping the swing swing faster and higher than it's suppose to! Max really didn't seem to mind. He slept right through the exciting ride. I'm sure this won't be the last time I hear these words from Madison's mouth..."Hold on tight, Max!" Having a big sister, no doubt, is an exciting ride!

What's in a Name

How did we come up with our son's name? Did we name him after our pastor Max Lucado? Initially, the name Max was a compromise. Victor came home the first day after finding out that we were having a boy with all these manly gladiator names (no doubt with the help of his buddies at work) like Maximus and Maxamillion. He tells me later that he was just kidding but at the time I thought he was totally serious so I was like "um, can we do Max for short??" The name Max grew on me and I liked the sound of Max and Maddie together. I am really into what names mean though. I wasn't too keen on the meaning of Max ~ "the greatest one". Of course I think my little boy is great but "the greatest one"...well that is a title only One is worthy of. That brings me to his middle name~ Manuel. This is a family name. It is Victor's middle name, his father's name and grandfather's name. And I LOVE what it means. I got all excited when I looked it up. It means "God in us". Now I can do that. God in you, my little Max, is the Greatest One! And that would be my most earnest prayer for my son (and daughter!) that they would have God's life in them and flowing through them to be a blessing to many. I also love the fact that he is named after our sweet pastor, Max Lucado. He is a well-known gifted speaker and writer but what I love most about him is that he is a humble servant-leader. May my little Max grow to have such a humbleness and gentleness about him as well.

Tummy Pictures~Good thing I didn't last another 3 weeks!

My friend and neighbor Debbi Gosdin-Burke took pictures of my pregnant belly just in the nick of time...I went into labor the very next day! Click on the link to the left to see more pictures. If you look closely you can see when I am having contractions my tummy becomes noticably tighter...can we say basketball?!!!

Why me?

Thanks to my totally "Blogalicious" friends I have this super cute designed blog. I am new to this blogging thing but I think I am really going to enjoy it...that is when I can squeeze in a few moments between feedings, diaper changes, playtime with Maddie, laundry, and dishes! So on to why I am posting this morning....Why me? Why I have been so blessed? When I was thinking of a blog title "Blessings Poured Out" is what was overwhelmingly coming to mind. I suppose any woman who has just had a precious newborn feels this way. Seriously, I am on the verge of tears just thinking about how blessed I am with the children God has entrusted to me. Thank you, Lord! Since "blessings" have sort of become the theme of my blog I'd like to regularly post about these things and people that have so enriched my life. So this morning is dedicated to some very special people...

Max's birth-day story!

Max Manuel Mendez ~ born 3 weeks ago tomorrow! Can I just say that I am SO thrilled that I was spared another 3 weeks of pregnancy?! Technically I should still be pregnant since Max's due date wasn't until Oct. 5th. He just decided to come early and since he was as healthy as could be I am totally okay with that! I was not a happy pregnant lady the last few weeks of my pregnancy. Everything hurt and I was SO tired all the time.
Well, if you haven't heard the story of how it all came about, here it is:
During my Thursday morning ladies' bible study Sept. 11th, my water broke..well, it trickled. I thought I peed on myself. When it happened again Friday morning I decided to go get it checked out. My midwife, Lois, checked me out and confirmed that my membranes had broken and that I needed to go home, gather my things and come back to the hospital to have this baby! Now, my desire and prayer was that I would not have to have another c-section. Maddie's heart rate kept dropping when I was in labor with her so they ended up doing an emergency c-section. My heart sunk when I was told that I most likely would need to have another c-section with Max since there was a high rish of infection being that my water had been broken for over 24hrs already. I was introduced to the doctor who would be doing it if this had to happen. I checked into the hospital noon on Friday. They kept me on antibiotics and monitered everything closely. Little Max's heart was good, there was no sign of infection so we just kept on laboring throughout the day as we watched the track of Hurricane Ike on TV. Minutes before Ike made landfall, Max entered our world at 2:02 am, Sept. 13th! Praise God for our healthy baby boy and for not having to endure another c-section!