Wednesday, September 03, 2008

It's A.....

echo! (Got you... ha ha ha...)

Clare had her six-month cardiology appointment and echocardiogram today. I just can't keep the good news in, so... NOTHING HAS CHANGED! Which is really, really, really great!

On the pessimistic side, the fact that nothing has changed means that Clare has not necessarily gotten better (and her pulmonary arteries have not really grown, which her cardiologist said could be due to the stents limiting their growth), but I am an optimistic girl and can't get over the fact that Clare has not gotten worse! Her gradient measurements are pretty much the same as they were six months ago. Her aorta gradient measured between 11-15 mm, which is minimal (to give you an idea of how good that is, prior to Clare's open heart surgery, her aorta gradient was 125 mm). Her blood pressure is maintaining good measurements, and even the pressures on the left side of her heart were not too bad (at 50% of the right-sided pressures, when in the past, her left-sided pressures have been at 100% - a typical heart should be at 25%). So, all in all, we were very happy with that appointment! Clare did great during the echo and lay quietly on the bed watching Elmopalooza (lucky us - and her two brothers who were mesmerized by it as well). She does not have to go back to the cardiologist's until around her fourth birthday, which is seven months away. I cannot say enough how thrilled we are with all this news, especially since next weekend marks the one-year anniversary from Clare's last catheterization. To have seven more months is amazing!

6 comments:

The Real EMO said...

ahhhhh the suspense is killing me!!!!!! Are you having a boy or a girl!!!

Heather said...

You stinker! :)
Glad that Clare is stable... always a good thing. 7 months seems like forever! That is great that they are so confident!

Aunt Joan said...

We are so very excited to hear such wonderful news!!!!! Too bad there wasn't as much improvement, but she did not regress! YEAH! We will continue to keep her/all of you in our prayers, as always. love to all, Aunt Joan & gang

Anonymous said...

Praise God! Happy to hear that the appointment went well. Espcecially about the part where the boys sat still...heehee - we know how that can be!
Praying for your little one. She's such a doll!
Love,
Stacy E

Noel said...

So glad that things didn't change. It is always nice to get on the slow and steady path!

Noel

Laura said...

That's such wonderful news!!