Dear Kevin and Debbie Burdick,

My name is Danielle Watson and I consider you, your husband and your beloved Dempsey 
to be angels. While looking online to price headstone I stumbled over your website and 
thought maybe this was my blessing in disguise since my year has not been so well. To begin, 
I found out I was pregnant and like most parents I already had the name until I found out 
I was having a boy. As scheduled I went to every doctor’s appointment and check-up. During my 
ultra sound I found out I was having a boy. At this point I still didn’t have a name. 
Before that ultrasound ended the doctor informed me that my son was smaller than what most 
babies at four months weighed. With that news I grew nervous and was informed that I needed 
to make another appointment to check things out. That night after my doctor’s visit, I went to 
West Suburban emergency room because I was having severe chest pain and I couldn’t sleep. After 
giving me something for heart burn and running a few test, they informed me that I was experiencing 
toxemia which is a dangerous condition that may occur during pregnancy. Symptoms may include 
elevated maternal blood pressure, swelling of ankles and hands, sudden weight gain and protein 
in the urine. Maternal or fetal deterioration requires emergent cesarean delivery.  After 
phoning my regular doctor’s West Suburban was informed to transport me to Loyola. After 
arriving at Loyola and spending the next three days having test done for everything I had a 
cesarean that Saturday which was February 11th because his heart rate started to drop. Because 
of the toxemia the doctor’s wanted to buy as much time as possible because each day meant he 
would develop a little more. I wasn’t scheduled until June 1st. 

After my son Corday was delivered I grew nervous once again because he didn’t cry but the doctor’s 
said he had a very strong grip on his father’s hand. After they did the normal apgar on Corday they 
determined he was ok but in critical condition because his vital organs weren’t fully developed.  
The doctor’s immediately labeled Corday as a fighter having been born 12 ounce and still kicking. 
Corday was sent upstairs to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) which became his and the staff 
his family. The first day I visited Corday I was again nervous because I have never seen so many 
babies in the hospital and I have never know a baby to be Corday’s size. That first day seemed as 
though things were touch and go but like the fighter he was determined. His first week was ok but he 
had a heart murmur which they had to do surgery to close. By the third week he was off everything and 
he was also feeding. On March 18th he became infected with NEC or Necrotizing enter colitis (NEC). 
They discovered he had NEC because abdominal distention (bloating or swelling), feedings stay in 
stomach, bile-colored (green) fluid in stomach, bloody bowel movements, and signs of infection such 
as apnea (stopping breathing), low heart rate, lethargy (sluggishness). "Necrotizing" means the death 
of tissue, "entero" refers to the small intestine, "colo" to the large intestine, and "itis" means 
inflammation. When Corday was diagnosed with NEC I soon remember the nurses saying premature babies 
experience the honeymoon stage but after that for every good day there and more than likely bad ones 
to follow. With NEC Corday began to swell and eventually had to get drain in his stomach that didn’t 
work. Since the drain didn’t work he had to have surgery which frightened me and my family. After we 
agreed to the surgery we had to wait until the infection started to subside. The first surgery was to 
explore and see if there were enough bowels for him to survive. After that conclusion was drawn then 
there was another waiting period. During the waiting period Corday had to have laser eye to somewhat 
correct his vision. Because he was on different pain medication for a long period of time, Corday 
became tolerant and his dosage was constantly changing. Me and his father visited everyday and all 
day to show him that he was truly loved. We became very acquainted with all the nurses and doctors.  

At the end of June, I and his father attended a staffing confirming his last surgery to remove the 
infected bowel and connect to good one. In the staffing the doctors once again reminded us that at 
anytime Corday could go to heaven no matter how hard they tried to help him. I and his father 
explained that we didn’t want to pull the cord but rather let Corday tell us when he was tired. On 
July 7th Corday had his surgery which again was a success. Once again we were warned before things 
get better they get worst. Corday began to swell again but the doctors felt it was ok to start 
feeding again in the NG tube (Nasogastric tube- An NG tube can also be used to put substances into 
the stomach). Although he was feeding he was getting smaller instead the fluid started to get in his 
tissue which wasn’t good. While suffering the after affects of surgery Corday was still feeding 
through off IV which started to damage vital organs that originally weren’t fully developed. After 
about two weeks the doctors told us things just aren’t turning around and they were doing all they 
could do.  On July 25th we had another staffing with my family and the doctors said that things 
weren’t getting better and maybe they need to insert a Tracheotomy . After that staffing I was 
devastated because I couldn’t see or understand life without my son. That day had my pastor pray 
for Corday and my family to accept whatever plan God had for Corday.  On July 27th, like every 
morning I called to check on Corday and his nurses informed me and my family to get to that hospital 
as soon as we could. I got there around 8:45 am and when I walked to the bedside I knew my precious 
angel was in heaven. My family and I got to hold Corday and take our last picture with him. The 
reason for Corday’s passing was due to the fact that the fluid that had been retained in his 
tissues wouldn’t drain and because of his prematurity, his organs were weakening. I told him 
I loved him and I wouldn’t ever forget him or the memories we shared. That day was the most hurtful 
day of my life because I had to tell my son I would see him in heaven and I couldn’t take him home. 
Although Corday never got to go home I made the best of his NICU home by making it comfortable. I 
will never forget reading to my son and just holding him and telling him how much I loved him and 
couldn’t wait until he was home. 

The reason I am applying is because through this journey I was working until my job fired me after 
I explained that I couldn’t work extended hours because I had a son to care for. Even though I was 
fired and wasn’t working I was glad I could spend that time with my son the entire day.  I thank you 
Kevin and Debbie for allowing me to share Corday’s short 5 ½ month journey with you. Although his 
time here was short I wouldn’t trade it in for anything in the world. 

I think you both have a special place along with your daughter in heaven because you are truly angels 
sent by God. 

God bless you both, 
Danielle Watson and Edward Curtain 
Chicago, IL