I decided that Elijah's nickname is going to be "Earl" (short for "Early") because everything he does, he does early. He was born early, he tried to be born REALLY early, he had his first heart surgery earlier than expected, he goes to bed early at night, he wakes up VERY EARLY in the morning. And now, it looks like his second heart surgery is going to come early as well.
What we learned, after spending hours in the clinic this morning and getting an echo (ultrasound of the heart), is that Elijah is growing very well, so the conduit (acting as a valve) in his heart is on the verge of being too small for him. His O2 sats right now are running between 76-78%, so that's a sign that we are on the path toward surgery. We're no longer waiting to step onto the path. We are on the path! Yikes! We are going to schedule a heart cath for March or April, and based on the results of that, we will schedule his open heart surgery appropriately. It looks like we may be looking at a May surgery. Possibly sooner, probably not any later.
So this is good news. He has no fluid build-up and his heart function looks perfect. He's just a champ who eats well and grows quickly! His weight this morning was 22 lbs., 12 oz. He's huge! I love it! He has gained 4.5 lbs in just two months. Dr. Gremmels said, "This is phenomenal!"
I love Dr. Gremmels. He has to be one of the best doctors on the planet. He always makes me feel a million times better. I wonder if he does psychotherapy as well? Maybe I'll call him when I'm having a bad day and he can help talk me through it? :)
Thanks for checking in on us and for all the words of encouragement!
I almost forgot to mention that the G-man said he would have been completely comfortable allowing Elijah to get his hypospadias surgery tomorrow. Ug! I wish I wouldn't have canceled it. We can't really reschedule now, since we'd be going into March and since we don't want to get too close to heart stuff. Oh well, looks like now we'll just wait till next fall.
11 comments:
Aren't good Dr.'s the best? So glad you also have such a wonderful Dr. to care for your sweet Elijah!
I was so happy to read that you had a positive appointment. It looks like he just wants to be a big boy right NOW. He's ready to take on the world. He'll be skydiving before you know it. :)
If you need anything to prepare for the surgery, please let us know. Seriously. We are not just saying that to feel like we're offering "something". We WANT to help out in any way possible. So...whatever you all need, please tell us.
Love you all. Thanks for updating us!
I am so glad the appointment went well and they were able to get all the images they needed. Always a struggle for us. At least you have a few months to get ready and prepare. I wish I could come out there and give you a big hug. I know you can never really prepare for surgery but at least you have an idea of when it will be.
Oh, and regarding the 22 pounds...OMG! I think Elijah needs to have a little talk with Arianna about eating. I am so excited to see how much weight she has gained, we see the nutritionist tomorrow.
Take Care
Earl...I lOVE it!!!
And what a chubster...good mama for putting your chunky monkey before your poor back!!!
Sorry that surgery is going to be sooner...we'll all be here for you..and we'll make sure you have TOO many toys to take to the hospital with you!
smooch on him lots tonight!
Kathy
You sound much more at peace today. I'm thankful for that and so thankful that it just means Elijah is ready for the next step on his journey. God is amazing!
Does he have to be early for all this yucky stuff? He is a little stinker! I am glad that the cardiologist said all is okay with him...at least that helped to settle you down...did they start him on any Lasix? Was the liver enlarged still today? Micah will do that nonsense...enlarged liver one day...the next totally fine...they are so bizarre!
You know that we will be walking that path with you with lots of prayers and hugs and listening along the way.
By the way...I am just as jealous as can be about that over 22lbs business...Micah has lost half a pound, so maybe Eli can share in the wealth!
Love,
Samantha
That is great news from Dr. Gremmels. We miss Dr. Gleason. They are all so nice at the Cardiology Clinic in Minneapolis. We will continue to pray for ya'lls strength. Wow, he is growing nicely. Harrison lost weight, a little over a pound, so he weighed 221bs 11 ounces last week. He is not growing as nicely, but he is light on my back...no complaints. Thanks for asking about his ears. Still the same, they don't have any answers, and put him on a maintenance ear drop plan. One dose every 3 days, and WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. The words doctors like to use.
Good luck the next couple of months. You all are going to win this fight! We got Harrison's heart shirt for Thursday's Heart Day.
Oh ya, McDreamy will have to wait awhile to see Eli!
What a chunk!! Wow - what a cutie! I am glad that you got pretty good news today. We will continue praying for the boy!
<3,
Jen
There was some good news going on in there! His heart is functioning well and that's a good thing. Yea for the weight gain! That will be great whenever the time does come for his surgery! It was good you got in there today....I hope it was a "peace of mind" appointment! Keep fattening that sweet boy up!!!
Cindy
Phenomenal...what a great word to hear from a heart doc! Elijah's weight and strength are just going to make him all the stronger to get through surgery! We're here for you as you get on the path...and will keep the little (well..not so little) guy in our prayers daily that his heart function stays "perfect"...and that mom and dad stay sane!
So glad you love your doc...that's always a great relief! Sending hugs!
I'm so glad you have a little time to prepare for "Earl"'s surgery. I was worried that it would have to be this week or something! It sounds like your doctor was very reassuring that things are progressing the way that they are supposed to (well, as much as things go as they are "supposed to" for a heart baby!).
Take care,
Amy, Mitch & Wilson
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