Well, we are finally home. The Anderson Boys, and daddy and mommy, took a trip to Sanford Children's in Sioux Falls, South Dakota today for Thomas and Jonathan's cardiology appointments, and Jonathan's general pediatric surgery appointment.
First, Thomas, HE'S DOING AMAZING! He is now 52 lb and healthy as can be. His echo/ekg all look the same, which NO change is GOOD change in the cardiology world of a repaired heart. He still has some leakage, but it's not gotten any worse, ...and it's still very minor. I still remember the day, 5 years ago, we went to our Alpha Church group in Vegas asking for prayers for Thomas. There was worry that within a year he'd need another surgery because of the leakage. Our dear friend, who now lives with Jesus, Maurice, came to us, prayed with us, and after that, Drew and I put our hands on Thomas while he was sleeping and prayed for a miracle, yet again, after all the miracles the Lord had shown us...and well, guess what...it's been 5 years later since that scare and now the doctors say there is HOPE of no more surgeries for Thomas.
Today, and for the next 24 hours, he'll be wearing a halter monitor, which we'll send back to Sanford, but he's doing great. This is just to check for any hidden arythmia's and such.
Now, Jonathan...as we have always known, his heart complexity and rarity have always made things a little more sketchy and worrisome. Today, all we got was Praise Report after Praise Report. He is doing the same as Thomas, AMAZING! Everything that has been repaired is still holding up. The arch is still open, his conduit (artificial valve) is still wide, and some great HOPEFUL news, if that conduit does need to be replaced, due to calcium buildup, rejection, or other things that could happen, Jonathan is a candidate for a cath procedure of putting in a stent...if we can hold this off long enough, possibly adulthood (HOW GREAT IS THAT), then, he has a chance of no more open heart surgeries...and who knows what technology will do in the next coming years...WE HAVE HOPE!!! THAT'S ALL WE CARE FOR.
Second, with Jonathan, he met with his pediatric surgeon who fixed his undescended testy about 1 1/2 year ago. IT LOOKS GREAT. He listened to his esophagus and stomach and read over previous tests and reports from last year and the previous years and he's doing great. He's actually shocked Jonathan isn't showing symptoms of reflux. Next year, just to be on the safe side, he wants Jonathan to see one of the GI doctors. With his esophagus condition (reminder, he had esophagus surgery to attach it to his stomach at one day old), he is at higher risk for esophagus cancer, so they must monitor it. Same thing goes for his testy, because it didn't drop, he's at higher risk for prostate cancer. IT'S NOTHING TO GET WORRIED OVER NOW. The risk of it happening is still rare, just more common than if he was born healthy. Regardless, NOW, he's doing great...THEY BOTH ARE DOING GREAT.
Samuel felt a little left out today :( So a nurse let him get weighed at least :) And we all went to Fudruckers for lunch and met Elicia there :) YAY!!! The boys were so good today, that we treated them to some yummy Strawberry Shakes. Needless to say, they did NOT share, and they drank them ALL down. LOL.
God Bless you all who have been there for us, from day one, or just even yesterday or today with a call, message or text. I, mommy, have been quite the basketcase this last week, and you've all kept me smiling. I knew in my heart that they looked great and wonderful, but was just worried I was missing a sign or symptom. Today was reassurance that I hadn't, and that my boys continue to be strong and show mommy and everyone what true miracles they are and the HOPE they can give others...especially their mommy :)
God Bless you all ALWAYS!
Today, and for the next 24 hours, he'll be wearing a halter monitor, which we'll send back to Sanford, but he's doing great. This is just to check for any hidden arythmia's and such.
