September 12, 2011 - Tentative Surgery Dates

Gosh where did the summer go? It’s hard to believe I’m back to work, and fall is near. The Smith family had a busy summer moving ~ yes, we bought a house. Those of you who know us realized we were definitely outgrowing the townhome so it’s wonderful to have a big back yard to let the boys run and play. We moved about 5 minutes away to Crystal Lake, IL.

Although no news is good news we do have some updated information from out last cardiology appointment just last Friday. Caden’s heart function sounded great, he is doing well, and enjoying being back at daycare. He is “working” on potty-training which is definitely a work in progress, and his favorite word is “no”. Hmmm…does this sound familiar to anyone else who has toddlers? I feel his speech is getting better even though 3 weeks ago was his last speech therapy appointment for the year. Now that I’m back to work I can’t get to the office before they close. He is saying his ABC’s and numbers up to twenty (not great, and sometimes not in order, but he definitely enjoys trying).

Back to the appointment…..Dr. Frommelt his cardiologist has a tentative plan to see him in December for an Echocardiogram, in March for his heart catherization, and early June for his 3rd open heart surgery the Fontan. During the heart catherization when he is under they are also going to see what is going on with his paralyzed vocal cord to get a baseline and see if anything needs or can be done. All of these dates are tentative as Caden is going to dictate how/when he needs the surgeries maybe some sooner, but we pray to make it through this fall/winter and get us to the summer. Caden’s color still looks great (not grayish/dusky/blue), and his oxygen saturations are hanging around 78-82 which is normal for him.

After our cardiology appointment we had a second opinion for his eczema which has gotten pretty bad in the last month or so. The doctor prescribed a stronger anti-histamine at night to stop the itch cycle, and a stronger steroid cream to heal his red, tender skin. In the few days we have used the new Rx’s he seems to be better. Once it is healed we hope to go off the creams/anti-histamine altogether. He has battled this since he was little it just hasn’t been this bad. I’m hoping the winter will bring relief as Caden’s eczema seems to flare more in the summer/warmer weather.

From a big boy standpoint….Caden is enjoying having Griffin to play with. They really are great buddies. He looks for him in the mornings, he likes to help me take care of him (until I give the baby too much attention then Caden lets me know it’s “MY TURN “and wiggles his way into my arms/lap and takes over Griffin’s space). We are still working on the word “gentle” but I’m not sure he has grasped that concept yet. We still occasionally find Caden sitting on Griffin, trying to pick him up by his neck, and recently flipping over his car seat while Griffin is in it. I think Caden thinks it’s a little rollercoaster ride for him or something.

We continue to be blessed each day, and thankful for all of your continued prayers.

Love,
Melissa