Thankful

As we are on fall break today, I got to thinking back a bit.  It was 4 years ago today that Jack's medical journey began.  I've added the carepage update from the first day at the hospital after finding out Jack's heart diagnosis.  It's amazing to look back now at how God provided for us during that emotionally, physically, everything tough time.  It was then that we met an amazing group of doctors and professionals that would become such an awesome support during the first year of his life.  It was during this time that we truly grew so close as a family and learned to really trust and depend on each other, but more importantly to put our trust and faith in God to take care of the situation, whatever the outcome.  It was during this time that I found so much peace in the verse Jeremiah 29:11 "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."  I knew Jack was going to be a fighter.  The last 4 years have been amazing to watch him grow and prosper and turn in to this big boy!  We are so thankful.

Here are some pictures of that first hopsital stay followed by the carepage update of the events:



Getting settled into our room at the hospital for a few days.  Can you see the eyes from the shock of finding out our baby had a heart problem?



heart monitors, pulse ox beeps, and IV fluids were going non-stop

I love the little one eye look.  And look at that color! (jaundice baby!)

Posted October 12, 2006 on carepages.com
So we have now been at Cincinnati Children's Hospital for 24 hours. The past couple days have been a whirlwind of the unexpected. It started out as a simple visit to the lactation consultant because little Jack was still a bit slow with his eating. Despite all of our attempts, he just could not take a good long feeding. At the lactation consultant, it was suspected that Jack might have a heart murmur or a cold. So, we headed straight to the pediatrician that day to find out. Turns out, the ped thought it might be a murmur so he set us up an appointment at the cardiologist at Children's for the next day (Thursday). Thursday's appointment revealed that Jack has 2 holes in his heart. We were completely taken aback by this diagnosis. We truly were expecting to hear something along the lines of a murmur that needed periodic checking. Never did we think that we would admit little Jack to the hospital until atleast Monday. And of course, we were devasted by the news that open heart surgery could eventually be needed. So, that's the history of the past 48 hours....


Here's what happening now. The doctors have started Jack on several medicines. One medicine is a diuretic that is working on removing the extra fluid around Jack's heart and lungs. Because of this fluid, his heart is not being very efficient and having to work extra hard. He is also taking some medicines that reduce his blood pressure. That way his heart is not having to work near as hard. These medicines are not intended to "fix" the holes in the heart. There really isn't a non-surgical way to do that...unless God intervenes. And we are still going to hold out for the latter option.

Right now, the focus is on "eating and growing." Jack has got to eat. Since his heart is working so hard, his little body is just worn out from all the work. He sleeps tremendous amounts. We have to stay on a strict schedule of feeding (or attempting to rouse and feed) him every 3 hours. Sometimes this is harder than imagined. The importance if this "eat and grow" theory is the proportion of the heart to the holes. If Jack is growing and his heart is growing, hopefully the holes will stay the same size and be smaller compared to the heart. The holes will not get any bigger. Unfortunately though, right now the holes are classified as medium to large. A cardiologist was very honest with me last night and informed me that she truly belives that Jack will be one of the ones that needs the open surgery. Not what we wanted to hear, but we appreciated the honesty. This surgery is supposed to be one that surgeon's like doing. By the book, they say. Anyways, we won't focus on that though. They would hope not to have to do that until he is around 6 months old.

So, eat and grow...that's the plan for the next couple of days. We are just waiting to see how his body responds. Monday we go back to cardiology for a follow-up echo. Hopefully this will show great improvement and we will be able to take him home.

We are so greatful for the people here at the hospital. The doctors and nurses are taking such great care of all 3 of us. We also know that God has put all of these people and resources in our path to help us during this extremely difficult time. We are also so thankful for the prayers and words of support/encouragement that so many of you are offerring. It is such a blessing to know that so many people are thinking of us. We'll keep updating!