Q Summer Cardiology Update.

Well, we have "survived" yet another appointment. 

I'm breathing again and looking forward to a celebratory cocktail tonight. 

Quinn was a rockstar. She didn't even cry when I dropped Ryan off to play today. She just waved and said "Have fun, Ryan! I go to the heart doctor!"

The appointment was much of the same - EKG, blood pressure, weight & height checks, the "fun" echo, and then a chat with our cardiologist. And through it all, Quinn smiled, giggled, and never whined a bit - even when they pulled off those horribly sticky EKG stickers.

And that girl has the best memory I've ever seen. After her last appointment way back in February we hit up Nordstrom Rack for some "special treats". Randomly as she was laying on the echo table (and I was subsequently complaining to Matt about the freezing room), she turned and said "Mommy, how about that special treat after?" I almost died laughing. I had mentioned nothing of special treats today or made any promises. But lord, she remembered.

(Another side note, I was a little worried about such a long appointment since we are so newly potty trained --- I brought 2 changes of clothes just in case. That girl asked to go potty three times and went all three times successfully. Yay!!!! Next up is Ryan but that's going to be a whole other battle and a whole other post. He could care less if his diaper hung down to his knees.)

And I know some people think may I go overboard on my obsessiveness with these appointments. They see Quinn running around at church or school or playdates and they wonder how anything could be going wrong. And rightfully so. They see a perfectly healthy little girl - and maybe if they look closely - a deep scar peeking out the top of her dress. 

But these heart kids are soooo tricky. You just don't know how long the equipment or repairs are going to hold out. Or how the anatomy can change in a 4 to 6 month time frame as she grows. Thus my anxiety builds each appointment. Just the "not knowing". 

Let's equate it to someone with cancer. Most often, long before a person has symptoms or feels badly, those evil cells are starting to multiply. And if you don't catch it early, the results can be fatal.

Same thing here. 

Quinn has these monitoring appointments because her branch pulmonary arteries will continue to narrow overtime and will eventually put too much pressure on the right side of her heart and lungs. And her pulmonary valve at some point will just give out. But by careful vigilance, we can catch it in time and do procedures (cath or open-heart) before it becomes life and death.

But we got the best possible news today. I think the good doctors know the best thing you can say to parents who have just watched multiple images of their child's heart bouncing around on a screen that in no way can you interpret is "Well, ALL GOOD NEWS FOR QUINN TODAY!"

Praise Jesus. 

Much of the same report as our previous appointment. The narrowing is there but it hasn't worsened since 4 months ago. In fact almost all of the measurements were duplicates of the last echo. Right side of the heart is pumping great and looks good. Pulmonary Valve is hanging in there. Her weight and height gain is on track --- which means my child will never be huge -- but again, she doesn't come from huge stock either :) She's running at about the 25th percentile. As a child I was 10% or below, so I'll take this news happily!

We confirmed again - NO RESTRICTIONS! Swimming lessons in full force come July. Hopefully soccer in the fall and maybe some gymnastics thrown in there. She can do whatever she wants. Amen.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and dealing with my neurosis every four to six months :) We are blessed by each one of you who sent up a prayer for a good appointment today. Again, the prayers were heard, received, and answered. We love you all.

Next cardiology appointment - 

SIX MORE MONTHS!!! WHOO HOO! LOVE THE SOUND OF THAT!