Christopher had his first outpatient follow-up appointment with the cardiologist and cardiovascular surgeon today, and I am pleased to report that all is well! What a lovely change from the last time we went for a check-up and ended up staying for another nine days.
When they first measured his blood pressure today, it was quite high, and we started to get very concerned. However, they repeated it a couple of minutes later and it was normal, so it seems that he was still just a little excited from the car ride (he hates his car seat and cries the whole time.) Thank goodness.
He also had a chest x-ray today and it was normal. Hooray!
The cardiologist and the surgeon were both very reassuring and encouraging today. We are understandably pretty anxious about Christopher these days, and I find myself over-analyzing every little thing ("is he breathing too fast?" "does his colour seem off?" "why is he so cranky?"), so they spent a lot of time reassuring us that he is doing well.
Christopher has been really fussy for the past two days, which had me worried that he was in pain. However, they said that his pain should be minimal at this point. The cardiologist thinks the fussiness is probably partly due to the stroke (he pointed out that adults with concussions or brain injuries can be quite irritable for a little while afterwards), or maybe just because he is feeling overwhelmed with all that has happened to him. The doctor suggested that we just do lots of snuggling and loving, and he reassured us that this will settle with time. I think just having that reassurance helped, because Christopher seems less fussy this afternoon. Maybe he's just sensing less anxiety from me!
He has been doing well with feedings and is gaining weight really well. He's also sleeping pretty well, which is nice for all of us.
We have another cardiology appointment next week to check him again. In the meantime, we've heard that it's summertime, so we're going to try to get out and enjoy it a little!
Katie and Christopher hanging out this morning.
And finally, here's a link to a video that I took today. I can't figure out how to insert it into this post, sorry!
What a joy to hear this news!!!
Posted by: Michelle Gross | 07/15/2011 at 10:38 PM
I am so glad to see him looking so well. He does seem to be enjoying his new playmat. Big hugs to you all.
Posted by: Trina | 07/16/2011 at 01:18 PM
Oh my goodness...he is just adorable and so bright! We continue to keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. This just made my day!!! Have to say....made me cry a wee bit.
Denise, Peg, & Micha
Posted by: Dee Light | 07/22/2011 at 01:49 PM
Great news. Hoping for more delightfully *boring* days ahead. :o)
Cori
Posted by: Cori Pinault | 07/22/2011 at 03:00 PM