Weight Gain

Just a quick update! It seems that Elijah is gaining weight! He is around 14lbs 9oz. He is eating a ton and pulling himself up. He loves cruising on furniture and hates sitting still. I am a little concerned that he isn't verbalizing quite like he should, but I am hoping it's just because all of his energy is going toward being physical. Noah loves the new mobile Elijah. Noah wants to play with him but doesn't quite understand that Elijah is still a baby and needs to be handled gently. It's quite an adventure at our house.

On a completely different topic, Dion and I have decided that it is time to get healthy. We have committed to a three week diet (no carbs, sugar, or alchohol). Ugh. I am seriously testing my self control. It's so easy to justify stuffing your mouth with comfort food when you have a child that is sick. You are in the hospital all day, and that candy bar is calling your name... you think, eh, my son is sick. I'm stressed and tired. I DESERVE that candy bar. Yeah... Substitute "candy bar" for anything- cheeseburger, ice cream, french fries...and you get an unhealthy mom and dad. I need to clean out my system and reestablish my eating habits. Not to mention my over all lack of self control. I have yet to figure out how to fit a work out into my schedule, the least I can do is nourish my body in a healthy manner. So here we are, five days into our plan, and man oh man how I would love a big, fat, juicy cheeseburger...

Cardiologist Update

Elijah had his cardiologist appointment on Friday, the day after being discharged from CHLA. Overall, things look positive. The card was pleased with his heart function and described it as "low-normal." He categorized Elijah's heart function as "low" at the last few appointments. Elijah's heart is larger than it should be but Dr. Sklansky wasn't particularly concerned. He continues to see reverse blood flow through his PA which contradicts what the doctor at CHLA saw. If you remember from my last post, I was concerned about Elijah not having the artery that leads to his left arm. The card wasn't particularly bothered by this. He said that it used to be routine to sacrifice this artery during the Norwood and although it can cause growth issues in his left arm, it shouldn't be anything drastic. We are still going to follow up with the surgeon before his Fontan in a year or two. The best news was that we have no procedures scheduled and we have six weeks until the next cardiologist appointment. I realized that it is only two additional weeks between appointments, but man I find it exciting. The goal now is to get him to gain weight. Grow baby grow!

Oh, and not only is our little guy pulling himself up and standing, but he is finally crawling! Yeah! He gets a little pissy after a while, but he is doing it! He is still recovery from the hospital stay and we are back to getting up with him several times a night. We are both tired and I am a little worried about what the upcoming week will bring. He isn't eating like he should be and that stresses me out a bit. Dion doesn't worry about his eating, but I do. I worry about everything.

On another front, winter break ends today. I can't help but be a little sad. It has been really nice hanging out with my boys over the break. Monica went back to Alaska, so we will be having new people watch Elijah. I can't help but be a little nervous about this transition. I know that he will be fine and I trust the people who will be with him, but Monica was such a comfort and I will miss that. She loved him as if he were her own. You can't pay people to do that. We were really blessed to have her stay with us as long as she did.

Cath Results

After only one night in the hospital, Elijah was discharged. We are so happy to have only spent one night and not needed further interventions. He had his cath yesterday and while the procedure went well, the results are... not good and not bad. They were able to coil some of the collateral arteries in his left lung. They expected to see better blood flow to his upper left lung after they placed the coils and yet there is still compromised flow. They were not able plug all of the collaterals.

The blood flow through his PA looks a little improved and the arch narrowing was not an issue. However, they discovered that he does not have the artery that leads to his left arm. His body has compensated for this by created more collateral arteries to supply blood. This could be an issue as he gets older and may/may not effect growth in that arm. It could cause issues as an adult when using his left arm. His body will be forced to "steal" blood from his brain in order to operate his left arm. This is the first we have heard of any of this and it was a little shocking. We hope to explore ways to address this at his next surgery. On a good note, it seems his his left diaphragm may be re-engaging. His breathing is looking better as well. We have an appointment with his cardiologist tomorrow and we will see what he says.

Cath Tomorrow...

Tomorrow Elijah will be having another cath. They have flown in special equipment for the procedure and they have already prepared me for a long day. I have such a conflict of emotions. On one hand I am excited to get this done and over with and have him "fixed". On the other hand, I am apprehensive and scared. We have rescheduled several times already because of illness. Finally both he and Noah are well and all of the pieces are in place. Yet I am still dreading tomorrow.

They will be trying to "plug" all of his collateral arteries, adjust the blood flow through his PA, and examine and possibly stent his arch. Both the nurse and doctor have told me it is incredibly tedious and time consuming. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow.