"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
--Jeremiah 29:11

Monday, May 12, 2008

Good News Again

We just got back from the cardiologist for his one month follow up after his cath. The word normal was used over and over to describe him! His heart function is normal. His "severe" aortic insufficiency (the leaky tricuspid valve that was going to need to be replaced) is now classified as mild to moderate and the doctor doesn't think it will need to be replaced anymore if the leak stays like this. He said that it's unbelievable how far he's come and that he's like a normal toddler now. His pressures on the right side are a little high still, but not something that requires surgery. If the branch narrowing worsens, they can fix it in the cath lab. So, we're looking at a pacemaker change in the next five years (we'll evaluate on a yearly basis when we'll need to replace it) which is an outpatient procedure and replacing the conduit that is going from his right ventricle to the pulmonary artery sometime in the next 5-10 years. He said that compared to what he's already been through, that surgery is not that big of a deal. We are beside ourselves with relief and gratitude. We can't stop thinking about what the Holy Spirit said to us at Easter Mass about it being time for him to be healed. In God's timing, he's being healed. We go back to the cardiologist for pacemaker check, echo, x-ray, etc. in October. Yay! We get all summer off.

Thank you, Lord for gracing Connie with your healing presence. You are all powerful, all knowing. You had a plan for him long before we even knew about him. We can't understand your plan, but we trust that your plan is in our best interest. We know that all good things come from you and we must praise you for the good and wonderful healing that you are bestowing on little Connie's body. Please continue to help him make gains in feeding and cardiac function. Please strengthen his ankles so that he stands properly and can learn to walk. Please also help us while we go through this transition time as he struggles with sleeping. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

More Good Surprises!

On Friday afternoon, Connie started drinking out of a straw. He took three ounces of carnation instant breakfast. He takes that drink better from a straw than from the take and toss cup. Also, when he's getting bored and frustrated at meal times, I can extend his attention span by whipping out the straw.

Tonight, Grandpa was tooting a little toy horn and letting Connie try. In the past, he's 'blown' into the horn by putting it up to his mouth and yelling into it. This time, he actually made the horn make the appropriate noise! He did it over and over and over and is pretty proud of this new skill. I'm flabbergasted that he has the oral control to make the sound. He has to form his lips tightly on the horn and blow and he can do it!

Happy Mother's Day!