Last week we visited the cardiologist again and got mostly good reports! Koal’s O2 saturation levels are perfect, and his EKG and echocardiogram also looked very good. He also had a chest x-ray done (haven’t had one of those since he was 3 weeks old!) and it, too, looked fine. I actually got to see a brief image of the x-ray right after it was taken and I could see, plain as day, the wires that help hold Koal’s little sternum together. It was very cool, and a bit eerie all at the same time. The most concerning part of his appointment was that he still has not gained much weight in the past month. The doc seems quite certain that it is simply because of his genetics (he follows the same low, slow growing curve his big brother Kade did!) and not due to any heart issues, but it’s always something to consider and keep in mind. He has no other signs of heart failure or that the slow growth is caused by complications, but we still pray that he would grow as needed, both to be strong for upcoming surgeries and so there is no further concerns about his heart function.
While we still have not yet chosen a hospital and surgeon to perform the ‘double switch’ procedure for Koal, one of the pre-op requirements is another heart catheterization to see how his heart has grown, check pressures is his vessels and be aware of any changes that may have occurred. The reality is Koal will have multiple catheterizations in his lifetime and they are actually quite easy as far as heart procedures are concerned. He will, however, spend the entire day (and possibly overnight) at Children’s Mercy, as well as be put under as in any other surgical procedure. Our greatest concern is that he will not tolerate it well, as this was what led to the blood clot at 2 days old, nearly causing him to lose his leg. The hematologists will of course be a large part of this, and we are thankful that everyone is prepared given his history. The catheterization is scheduled for this coming Monday, September 26th at 8:30AM. Please pray for Koal’s safety and well-being through this process, as well as for all of the doctors and nurses involved. Pray that we, too, would be filled with peace and comfort and that there would be no complications from the cath, so that we would be able to bring Koal home Monday evening.
Please continue to pray for us as we wade through information and seek God’s leading in order to make a decision concerning where to go for Koal’s next surgery. We are setting up a time to phone conference with the surgeon from Boston and hope to do the same with the surgeon from Michigan. Both are world class doctors and we know that either is an excellent choice. We do not know any people in either city and have no ties to either hospital or doctor, so we honestly feel like either place would be wonderful and Koal would get the finest quality of care. We hope to find out more about each hospital as well, though also know that both are of the highest caliber and either will be a good choice…now we just need to make it!
God continues to supply us with strength, peace and comfort through all of this. Daily He renews us and blesses us immensely through our family and friends. We thank Him constantly for each and every moment with little Koal, and it brings us such joy to see him interact with Kade and Adry. They simply LOVE him and love to make him laugh and smile. Adry is so sweet, always trying to give him his blanket and pacifier and while always with gentle intentions, sometimes a bit overzealously pats him and tells him “tsokay, bebe koal.” J Kade is always glad to show him new tricks like how to blow bubbles or play peek-a-boo. They are all so funny, and we pray for a lifetime of friendship among all three.
