6 month - all clear

 

Our little guy was due for his 6 month cardiology appointment today and it went extremely well!  Josh is approaching his 3rd surgery (the Fontan) which will improve the oxygen levels in his blood, improving his overall health. Typically, a child with Joshua's heart will experience a slow drop in their oxygen levels (their sats), and their heart struggles more as the Fontan approaches. 

So that's where Johsua's at - awaiting the Fontan. Only for some reason Joshua's oxygen levels are higher than I've ever seen them before, his heart function is great, his blood pressure is normal, his previously leaky & repaired tricuspid valve isn't leaking at all, and he isn't even using his pacemaker! Our constant prayers are being answered.   

We feel incredibly blessed to have gotten such a good report today.  I assumed we'd be looking at a calendar deciding when we would head to UCSF for surgery.  At the very least I figured he was due for a heart cath. We got the "All clear, see ya in 6 months ... NO RESTRICTIONS!"

Dr. Rivera always checks to make sure I'm not restricting Joshua in any way. If you know me, you know I let him run wild, so I always laugh when Dr. Rivera gets to that part of the visit.

Also noteworthy, Joshua behaved amazingly well during the appointment. Not a tear shed, and he didn't want to leave!  Josh really loves Dr. Rivera & that sure helps!  I remember when he was younger it was so hard taking him to these appointments because he feared the doctor's office so much.  I am happy to report that he's out grown his fear & though his next surgery will probably have him fearful once again, it is certainly nice that he's at an age where he can be reasoned with.

I've decided I'm gonna stop with my "typical HLHS" thinking from now on, because Joshua has proven to me that I should dream bigger than "typical"!