Cardiology Results

Today Anna Grace had a cardiology check-up. It has been 3 months since her last cardiology check-up and that is the LONGEST we have ever been between cardiology check-ups. I have to admit I was nervous last night about what Dr. R would find today. With these little ones, so much can change in 3 months.

So, my sweet hubby took some time off work to go with us and our family of four all went to AG's cardiology appointment today.

I was equipped with a bag full of goodies prepared to distract and entertain Anna Grace who is NOTORIOUS for not cooperating. As a matter of fact, AG has such a reputation that the nurses ask ME how I want to handle the visits.... as in what to do first, etc. to try to make it as comfortable for her as possible. (Aren't they awesome... I know... I am truly thankful for them)!

Since our last cardiology appointment went so well I thought we would follow along the sames lines as our last visit... do nothing until the echo is over. So, that's what we did. We went into a room and the kids played toys and watched movies until they were ready for us in echo. That's when the trouble began. As soon as I climbed up on the table with her in my lap she started crying. Not good. We had one of her favorite movies on, a bottle of milk, paci, blankie, toys and even Daddy there but nothing would calm her. Lots of screaming, crying, shaking her head "no" and saying... I mean SCREAMING "done, done, done". It is a terrible sight for a mother.

Needless to say, the pictures of her heart we were able to get did not tell us much, although the doctor said from what he could see she looked good. She was also so upset that we were not able to obatin O2 saturations on her and they didn't even try for a blood pressure - as upset as she was it wouldn't have been accurate anyway. We got a not so accurate weight check as she would not even cooperate for that. The morning was quite exhausting and we finally threw out the white flag and surrendered.

The plan is that we go again the first Tuesday in August. We've decided to schedule the next appointment at nap time... which could work for us or against us... there's no way to know for sure. She will also be getting a hefty does of benadryl before her next appointment and Dr. R is not going to see any other patients that afternoon - that way we can have the echo room as long as we need, we won't be rushed in any way. If we can't get a good echo next time then we will have to schedule a sedated echo. I really, really don't want to have to do that because it means a hospital stay - it's done at the NICU in Greenville complete with IV and the whole she-bang. If we can avoid that I would really like to.

So... we have two months until her next cardiology appointment... unless of course I notice anything not good in which case we would see Dr. R sooner.

We are home now and AG is napping. I'm sure she is wore out from her morning... I know I am. As a heart Mom it is hard when your little one is so upset... she's too young to reason or explain things to and she is scared. Really, really scared. Undetandably considering everything she has been through. There are so many invisible scars these little heart kids carry around that no one knows about.... this journey can be very difficult at times. Please join me in praying that the Lord will calm her and allow her to not be so scared. Thank you friends.

P.S. - I will try to post some updated pictures in the next few days.