The Heart of the Matter

Good morning!  Time for an update.

February is Heart and Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month, so it is fitting that Derek and I took Ashton down to Tulsa early yesterday morning for his latest checkup with his pediatric cardiologist.  Ash was good as gold the entire time.  He lay still and quietly enjoyed a strawberry lollipop and watched cartoons while the technician performed the ECHO sonogram taking images and recording blood flow in his heart.  The images are so much clearer now that he is big!  He also did great through the usual EKG and blood pressure checks.  He received 7 big car stickers as well as another lollipop (green this time) for being so good!  We are super proud of him!

The results of his checkup were very positive.  The procedure where he was 4 months old was very effective at sufficiently reducing the stenosis (narrowing) of his pulmonary heart valve.  However, the procedure, which effectively ripped the valve open to increase blood flow, also resulted in the valve no longer closing 100% during each beat of the heart.  He has mild to medium "backwash" of blood during the valve action that will need to continuously be monitored.  However, great news in that he does not have to come in for another checkup for 2 years when he turns 6!!!!  The doctor indicated that the valve will likely have to be replaced when he reaches adolescence.  Currently that procedure is routinely performed via open heart surgery.  Hearing that, MY heart about jumped out of my throat!!!!  However, technology has advanced such that the procedure is now being performed via catheterization for patients that have already undergone open heart surgery.  Catheterization is the procedure he had at 4 months old for his balloon valvuloplasty where they go in through a microscopic incision into the major artery in the leg and up to the heart.  These procedures are much less risky with only an overnight or even outpatient hospital stay.  The doctor did indicate that by the time Ash might need the procedure 10 years down the road, valve replacement via catheterization or even better technique would likely be the norm.  Let's keep our fingers crossed!!!  Better yet, prayers that he will never need a valve replacement at all!!!!  As he grows and gets more and more active, we just need to watch his stamina and energy level which are all indicators that he is getting blood sufficiently to his lungs for oxygen.  If we see a change, then that would indicate that more work would need to be done to correct his heart valve.  However, right now his heart is working well and keeping up with his high-energy 4 year old self!!!

Since we had the day off, Derek and I also had time yesterday afternoon to rent a cabin for our upcoming spring break trip to New Mexico in March (yes we are going back---- we LOVE that place).  Ok, so this is more of a house than a cabin, but the view is OUTSTANDING.  http://weblink.instantsoftware.com/property/details/0696/RCR32/coronado-crest-ruidoso-nm-usa-open-area-houses-nearby
We try to pick a different area to stay in each time we visit.  This house is on the east side of town overlooking the valley on up to the ski hill.  Additionally, the house is within walking distance of the park to which we love to take the kids at the elementary school complex.

We also checked out the details for going tubing and playing in the snow. http://ruidosowinterpark.com/ They have "family tubes" for rent which seat 4 - 6 people which look like soooo much fun!!!  Additionally, there is a special area for little kids up to 42" tall. The kids have watched the tubing video multiple times now, and Zach has officially marked it on the calendar.

Not much planned for today yet.  It is cold and overcast .  Derek and Zach will be going to the bank so that he can exchange all of his MANY quarters for dollars.  I need to do some yoga and get outside for some fresh air. Snyx will appreciate that too!!