Good Checkup

Nurses Suzi, Jaci, and Liz (L to R) with Caden

Nurse Maura checking Caden out.

RMH House Director Maryilyn with Caden and I


The Smith family headed up to Milwaukee, WI yesterday and made a day out. The focus reason for going was Caden Marshall’s cardiology appointment. We also use this opportunity to reconnect with people. We really enjoy spending time with the people that have made such a big impact in our lives as well as visiting with the friends we had made while at CHW (they are all one in the same now).

Caden Marshall had a pretty good check up with Dr. Kovach (sp?). Dr Kovach was happy to learn that Caden is eating good and thriving in other areas. He was just a bit concerned with two things. First, the fact Caden sweats consistently when he eats. The sweating is an indicator that his heart is working really hard. Also, he heard some more tricuspid valve insufficiency which means some of his blood going from the right atrium to the right ventricle backs up a bit. Neither of these is currently at alarming levels. They just need to be monitored and can most likely be treated with medication until the Fontan surgery. We were convinced that the concerns were not immediate when Dr. Kovach told us we did not have come back for two more months. There is no change in medication at this time aside from moving from ¼ to ½ tablets of aspirin daily. Caden currently weighs 16.5 lbs and is 26 inches long which puts him at about the 40th percentile.

Before we went to our appointment we stopped by the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) to drop off about 50 lbs of pop tabs. My sister Cheryl’s family really rallied the troops and put together quite the collection of pop tabs which we were happy to deliver and unload at RMH. We always stop in to see the House Director Marilyn. She is such a sweet heart and does and awesome job with the RMH of Milwaukee.

During our appointment we put the word out that we were in the clinic and received some special visitors. I hacked into the computer system while waiting for the doc and sent a page to Dr. Nancy that said: “I am in the Herma Heart center for a check up, come and see me. - Caden”. Dr. Nancy came right up and we had a nice visit.. As we have discussed in previous posts, we know Caden is doing well because of Dr. Nancy and her dedication to him and his operative care. We know she loves seeing him as much as we love seeing her. We also had visits from Social Worker Leah, who is a real hoot and very helpful as well as a visit from our friend Nurse Julie. Also Maura, who works in the Herma Heart Center at Children’s, came in to assist with the check up. Maura is pictured above getting Caden’s blood pressure and checking his saturation levels. His sat levels are a respectable 84% right now which we were very happy to hear.

After our appointment we stopped up on the third floor of Children’s Hospital and were happy to see some of the great nurses that took care of Caden Marshall. In the picture about you see Suzi, Liz and Jaci. These are a couple of the nurses that took care of Caden right after each of his surgeries. These three are trained in critical care and really did a lot in ensuring Caden was recovering well and was comfortable. Suzi (on the left) was there for us and Caden from start to finish. She is awesome and I was very glad to get to see her. She will never know exactly how special she is to us – unless of course she reads this! (We love you Suzi - Thank you!)

After we left CHW we met our friends Chris and Michelle for lunch. You will remember that Chris and Michelle lost their daughter Carsyn a week ago Sunday to complications related to HLHS. As you will expect they are doing as good as they can. The have a great approach and are really great people. I don’t know how they are doing it but they are and we are better people for knowing them. We had great conversation over lunch and we got to meet Casey their three year old daughter. Casey could not get enough of Caden. She wanted to touch and help with Caden the whole time. If she had been given the chance Casey would have been a great big sister to Carsyn. God had different plans and we ask that you continue to pray for Chris and Michelle and their family.

All in all it was a good day. It was an exhausting day that covered the gamut of emotions for Melissa and I. We were happy to return home. We don’t have another appointment in Milwaukee until the end of November. However we will be up there again October 10th for the Als Walk and Run Fundraiser. We love that there is an opportunity to give back a bit to CHW as they have given us so much. Melissa and I will be participating in the Als Walk and Run. I will be the walk, and Melissa will be the run. They should work “roll” into the name as that is what Caden will be doing while I push him. My parents are coming up with us to walk as well and will be watching Caden for us after as we catch up with friends. If you feel so inclined you can click on the below link to donate at our donation page.
http://www.firstgiving.com/dmsmith3

Thank you for all your support.

David and Melissa