Learning new things everyday

You should learn something new every day.  Today was a road trip with MIL, and I learned that we can eat like big girls, and I sigh too much!  I have no clue if she reads this blog, but I want to say thanks for coming with me today.  Really, thanks for all of the things that you do.  Folks should really learn to love their SO's family more.  My MIL is the only mom I have now, and has been so helpful over the years.  I can't imagine my life in Montana without her support. 

Enough of beating around the bush; today was the baby's appointment with the cardiologist...  We discovered last month that the baby has an ASD like his sisters.  I was told by my family doctor that it would need to be surgically repaired. When we arrived it seemed as though we were there as a formality.  Our doctor came in and visited with us while his nurse was still doing the intake.  He even mentioned the glorious words that "this guy's hole may clear up on its own..."  Another thing I have learned is not to gallop away into the sunset on the pitter patter of your own heart when you hear something exciting.  Even metaphorical horses will buck you off now and again. After some adventurous imaging, we had a clearer picture of the baby's heart.  (anytime a seven month old must lay still be prepared for an adventure of sorts)  The original estimate was that the hole was 6-8mm, many women wear stud earrings bigger than this, so it was not too alarming.  The mommy tiger inside of me was on alert, because I was not shocked to learn that the hole was actually about 14mm.  This accounts for 80% of the lenght of the wall between these two chambers. 
another thing I learned today, this type of hole can not be repaired with a catheter if there is not enough tissue left around the hole.  Such as is the case with the baby.  Bringing us to the learning that the baby's heart cannot be fixed without open heart surgery.  (insert pout here)

Folks, I am fully aware that many people have this condition and it goes undiscovered and untreated for many years, well into adulthood.  I am also aware that these people are typically not symptomatic.  Without symptoms of heart failure, and when a hole is not very large, doctors will not operate in the hopes the hole will eventually close on its own.  We were told today that this will not happen with the baby. The hole is far too large. 

For now, we wait.  we will see the cardiologist again in September at which point the surgery will be presented to the folks at Seattle Children's hospital and scheduled through them.  We are watching the baby's weight very closely right now as well.  Prayers for him to thrive and gain apporopraite amounts of weight will be appreciated.  After a couple of months of relaxing about his weight, he has slowed down and that is the big symptom to watch for that relates to his heart.  He is developmentally thriving far beyond our expectations, so I continue to pray that his body stays well nourished and thriving as well.

Did you know that having three out of four children with an ASD is pretty unheard of?  I thought so too, heart issues aren't that common I didn't think.  That was not the shocking part.  Our oldest son has to be checked now as well.  Normally this sort of thing is random.  One child wil be born with it while the rest are fine.  Having three with the condition is less likely than having all four with the condition.  How backwards is that?

It is the end of a very long day, and I am feeling deflated.  Things I know:  -Nothing I did or could have done caused this or could have prevented this from happening (short of not having children at all).  -My baby will need surgery, but we don't know when.  -My oldest is a rockstar; either for being the miracle child with no holey heart, or for being so very healthy and slipping under the tiger radar of his mother.  -Applebees Cowboy burger is delicous even if it does have bacon on it.  It is all just news to me...  I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse, I just know more this evening than I did this morning.  Not a bit of the day went as I had planned, but at the end of the day none of the plans seem that important.  Wishing you all a peaceful night in homes filled with love and hearts filled with joy.