| Updates |
| Matt (16 months) |
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| February, 2001 Matthew has been doing well since his surgery. The only medicine he is now on is baby aspirin. We've noticed that his lips turn blue more often, so we will ask the cardiologist about that when we see him later on this month. |
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| May, 2001 Matthew has been doing just fine. He just turned 20 months old! He is working on talking and is quite a character. He seems to be the perfect, pesty little brother -- driving his sister and brother nuts!! Heart-wise he is doing great. His hemoglobin is a bit high, which is what causes his lips to turn blue sometimes, along with his fingers, but at this point the doctors are just keeping an eye on him. If it gets higher, he may have to have his hepatic vein closed...but that isn't a big procedure, so we aren't worried. The only problem we have at this time is that we have discovered that Matt has a leg length discrepancy. This is due to the fact that his femoral artery was blocked when he had a cath at 3 months old. We have an appointment to see a pediatric orthopedic doctor in June. However, since the problem is really vascular, there probably isn't much he can do. Where this will lead us, we just don't know at this point. We see the cardiologist in June for a check up, and then we are going up to Delaware for a check up in August. We'll keep you posted!! |
| August, 2001 We have good news on all fronts!! We have just returned from Nemours in Delaware for Matt's check up. Everything went well. While we were there, Dr. Murdison decided that it "made sense" to go ahead and close the hepatic vein...so we had a "surprise" cath and small surgical procedure. Matt now has PINK lips, fingers, and toe nails!! His red cheeks should fade in the next few months as well. He did beautifully...didn't even whimper with x-rays and echos and laid as still as could be. We found out several things: First, we no longer have to go to Delaware for well visits. Unless there are any issues, we can just be followed by Dr. Hixon here. (We are very happy about that, but we will also miss seeing the staff and friends we have made over the past 2 years!) Second, the doctors measured Matt's legs while asleep and found absolutely no difference in length. The other leg has apparently caught up! God is good!! Last, Matt should have no restrictions on activities....in fact, keeping him active is best so that he will not develop "exercise intolerance". We couldn't ask for a better visit. Not only did we have an awesome medical visit, but we also got to see good friends and meet some online friends face to face. All I can say is Thank You, Jesus. God is good!!! |
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| November 2003 It's been a long time since my last update...which is acutally a good thing because it means Matt has been doing awesome. He has now reached that stage where it's hard to believe he even has a heart defect! He is in preschool and doing great. He has become a chatter box with a great sense of humor. He turned 4 in September, so we celebrated by heading to Florida for a long weekend. Heart-wise he is doing fantastic. He is on 6 month check-ups, and that may soon switch to yearly. (Gulp!!) The only side effect of his heart that I notice is an intolerance to heat. That can be a bit challenging in Louisiana in the summer....but then, Mommy hibernates in the air conditioning, anyway. We couldn't be more pleased. We often remember the journey Matt has traveled and are so very thankful for Matt and all God has done for him and our family. |
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| Beth, Matt, and Ben in Florida celebrating Matt's 4th birthday! September 2003 |
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| March 2005 Matt is doing wonderfully well. We just had our yearly echo with Dr. Hixon today, and everything looks great. His heart function is great, and after a holter monitor in 3 months, we'll probably move to having annual check-ups. Amazing!! Matt is now 5 and is in prekindergarten. He is doing great socially and academically. Kindergarten...here we come!! He did give us a bit of a scare in August with a bout of palsey (face paralasis). We were sitting in church when it hit. Of course, I was thinking "stroke" because of the way his face got all pinched up. After a panicked call to the cardiologist and a trip to the ER, it was determined it was palsey....thank goodness. His little face was half-frozen for a week and then slowly returned to normal. Phew!! |
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| Our happy 5 year old!! |
| May 2006 It's been over a year since our last update, and things are going fantastic. Matt is about to graduate from Kindergarten!! He has done great! He is reading quite well, and all academics and social aspects of life are also going good. Plus, we just got word today that Matt has qualified for a wish from the Make A Wish Foundation. YIPPEE!! He wants to go to Disney World and especially Sea World. We don't know the timing yet, but we are hoping for Thanksgiving week. Matt and Ben's yearly cardiology check is coming up on June 7th, so I'll update afterwards. I expect a great report as I see no signs of any problems. |