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.