Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Good visit:0)

Monday's visit with Dr. Butto went pretty good. Vaeh couldn't wait to "see Dr. Butto!" But actually I think she was much more excited to see the echo room... & her bestest friend - gel!!

When we arrived, the girls were all in disbelief of how big Vaeh has gotten! Its been 3 months since she was there last. Since November, she's gained a pound and a half, & grown 3/4 of an inch! I assured them that her attitude is growing with her body;0)! It was so cute to see her say "hi" to everyone!

We, of course, had to have our usual round of bubble-blowing while waiting our turn for the echo. She just loves bubbles, & a while back they were the only way to keep her semi-calm during her visits. So the girls all know that "Nevaeh likes her bubbles!"

I'll bet she asked about a dozen times before we finally made it, but the common question of the day was "I go play with gel now?" I was so very thankful when we did make it to the room, as the technician we had is the best at this particular office!! I had even said a quick "please, Lord" for Megan to be working today. Again I have to say, "don't tell me prayer doesn't work!!" (LoL) Once in the echo room, we met Brad. He was a young man doing a clinical rotation in his training to become an echo technician... and he was great with Vaeh!! You could tell by the way he interacted with her that he is very good with kids!!

So, during the echo as Megan is explaining different things to Brad (cause you know Vaeh is just so straight forward... HA!!) Megan became Miss V's personal gel supplier! We took the approach of "if it keeps her happy, lets go with it." Lets just say by the time they were finished with the echo, Vaeh had gel from fingertip to fingertip, chin to stomach! Of course, I was too engrossed in the actual echo to remember to take pictures of her... maybe next visit.

Speaking of the next visit, we get to wait - are you ready? ... 4 MONTHS!!! Maybe we'll be able to make it to 6 month visits yet:0) Her pressures are again unchanged, so we're status quo on everything for right now. Dr. Butto mentioned that he was considering decreasing her revatio, but since there wasn't any change (or lowering) in the pressure, that we would just kinda leave things where they are for right now. It made me feel good knowing that long term, he is looking to get her off the meds, just not ready yet. I did ask him about the possibility of a cath to stent & he said that its really not an option at this point. So for right now, the meds are the path we need to take!

So, we just have to sit back & enjoy life for the next 4 months until our next "date" with the good doctor! Her next appointment is June 28th, so summer... here we come!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Quick note...

We are headed to the cardiologist's office this morning for Vaeh's appointment. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a regularly scheduled appointment. Just the same, I'm a bit nervous about it. Her last appointment, her RV pressures hadn't changed any with the same dose of medication. I'm sure you all know how a heart momma's mind wanders.... does she need a cath? Does this mean she'll need another surgery? It never ends, huh?!

I know everything is just fine, but at this point I think its more habbit to worry:0/ I'm just ready to go in & hear the good news, that she's right on track! Don't worry all, I promise an update as soon as I can this afternoon!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Prayers for Miss Emma


This is one of our "heart" friends, Miss Emma. She & her Momma - Wendy, have been a big support to us along our journey through this CHD world. When I was checking my email tonight, I noticed an update on Emma's caringbridge page. It was unusual, because there were two updates... not typical for Wendy.
The above picture is one I saw when I checked in. Miss Emma has been admitted to the hospital with viral pneumonia & RSV. From what her page says, she has an elevated heart rate, she's lethargic, & has a temp of 106!! Friends, she is one sick little girl!
Please join with me in lifting this wonderful little girl up in your prayers! You can also go here to leave them a message!

Friday, February 12, 2010

I'm terrible :0(

I'm such a slacker here lately! There's been so much going on & I've really put this blog on the back burner. I have tried to post a couple of times, but for some reason it wouldn't let me upload any photos. So, I got mad & gave up on the post. I've really wanted to share some great pics of the girls, but it still won't let me upload anything, except for one picture...


This is from Gabie's birthday party! Its the only pic that this silly computer has let me upload, & I'm glad I've gotten this one up. In the front, you see Gabie sitting on my sister April's lap. Then behind her (l to r) is Amber my SIL holding my nephew Austin, my brother Keith, Vaeh, Jon & I. This was the first time I had met Amber & Austin. I hadn't seen my brother Keith since I was pregnant with Gabie, & hadn't had the opportunity to meet his wife until that night. Boy was I glad for Facebook in this situation!!

I found my brother & SIL on Facebook a while back. So when I started planning Gabie's birthday party, I invited them to the party. Much to my delight, they accepted the invite & came for the festivities!! I was elated to have them here & to finally meet Amber & Austin! The whole family situation on my paternal side is, shall we say... quite mixed up! But, thankfully we were able to spend some time together & are planning another get together when the weather is nicer & hopefully can get all 4 of us (I have 2 brothers & a sister) together. I'm really excited about it!

In other news, Miss Gabie is now 6!! My baby girl is growing up way too fast! And for those of you who "know us", you may have noticed 'Gabie' is spelled differently. Well, that would be thanks to the mind of said 6 year old. She had mentioned it before, but never really pursued the matter until her birthday. She asked "Mommy, why do you spell Gabby with 2 'b's' & a 'y'? My name only has one 'b' & no 'y's'." So, based on the (very intuitive) logic of my 6 year old, we are now spelling it "Gabie." Quite smart if you ask her Momma;0)

As for Miss Vaeh, well she's just enjoying life & being a normal 3 year old!! She's actually been quite 'healthy' this winter, short of the typical sniffle/cold. I'm so thankful that we haven't had any major health issues with her this year. Its so nice to just be 'normal' - if anyone knows what that really is (LoL)! She has an upcoming cardiology appointment in a little over a week & I'm curious to see how things look. We all know the worries of a heart momma. Vaeh's been having some tired spells, & its so hard to decipher if its just normal growing spurts, being tired from a cold or something heart related. Its not significant, so I'm pretty sure its just 'normal', but all the same I'm still curious!

Now on to me. I'm sure most folks know, but I had yet another surgery a week ago. I had my gallbladder taken out. I'm finally starting to feel back on track, but am still a little sore. Thankfully, it was done laprascopically, so I was home that night. The sites from the surgery are still a bit tender, but overall I'm feeling much better.

Hope everyone is having a great week. In honor of CHD Awareness week, I saw this on a fellow heart momma's facebook status & just had to borrow it (thanks, Staci!).




A zipper scar upon my chest

for all the world to see

that congenital heart disease

has not beat me!


Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, & Happy CHD Awareness day from all of us! (oh, Happy Valentine's Day, too! ;0)