Tuesday was an AMAZING day!! My dad and I took Jack to the cardiologist for his echo cardiogram under the assumption that he was going to start on medication soon (beta blockers and blood pressure meds). Last year, when he had the same test done, the cardiologist almost prescribed it for him but then decided that he was too young, and too afraid of the doctor's office for it to be effective. The good news: He does NOT need them this year!! His aortic root is still mildly dilated, but the percentages haven't changed since last year at all. His height and weight are around the 75th percentile and his aortic root length is at the 99th percentile. If it stretches anymore, he will still need it; however, if it stays at the 99 mark as he grows then he won't. So he still needs to be tested every year, and possibly every six months when he's a teenager, but this is such great news! It also means the cardiologist has a history and baseline, instead of just a snapshot. I was so surprised and relieved that it has taken me these last 5 days to decompress and talk about it. It's the first time in over 2 years that I can actually picture Jack as a healthy, active kid.
The other awesome thing that happened Tuesday was Jack's handling of the echo. He was a little SAINT! He crawled up on the table himself, talked with the technician about taking pictures of his heart, and then just LAID THERE. ON THE TABLE. FOR TWENTY MINUTES. It was AMAZING!! In case you're not aware, the first time Jack had an echo done, we had to sedate him. It was a horrible experience.. which ended with the doctor wrapping Jack in a blanket and sticking the IV in his foot. He wriggled out of the first 3 tries with myself and 2-3 nurses. He's very limber (the Marfan's) and could get the IV out even with three people holding him. I've never heard him scream like that, and I hope I never do again. The way Jack handled his echo Tuesday is miraculous. I didn't even have to use the treats and toys I had brought with me, he just watched cartoons the whole time. Later he said things like, "Mom. They took a picture of my heart. Inside me here." And, "I laid really still on the bed, and mommy is really proud of me." This is so great for Jack, he's come such a long way!
Thank you so much for praying with us!!
