Pre Fontan Cath

We just got Stockton's cath date.  He is scheduled for April 29th with Dr. Justino who is the head of the cath lab at Texas Children's. This will require us to be admitted a couple days then hopefully we can return home if there isn't any serious interventions. From this procedure we will get a good idea about the pressures and function of his heart. His oxygen remains in the low-mid 80's. We will be scheduled for his next open heart surgery after this cath. Let the anxiety begin...

(Stockton and his little brother, Merrick)

December 3, 2014: TCH Visit

We flew to Texas late Tuesday night. Stockton and I flew together as Seth flew earlier to get some work done. We started our appointment in the ECHO lab. At the age of 3 the lab no longer requires sedation. I believe we have had sedation twice for his ECHO due to the fact that he wouldn't sit still. All the other times we have been fortunate to avoid it. My little boy is so strong and just laid in the hospital bed like such a big boy. We watched Monster's Inc. and he wanted pictures on his iPad. The ECHO only took about 20 minutes then we headed to the waiting room for our cardiology visit with Dr. Ocampo. Ocampo's office was able to squeeze us in about 45 minutes early. We were thrilled because we have been at TCH sometimes 6 hours just waiting for all of our appointments. Immediately, Stockton had his EKG and we did 4 blood pressures. (Both arms and both legs) Ocampo came in and gave Stockton a hi five. She immediately noticed the coloring in his finger tips. They have always been a purple color but this time she noticed slight clubbing in his hands. I can actually see it in his toes as well. Without getting us too alarmed she stated that his ECHO and EKG looked great. His normal oxygen saturations are 85/86 and he is still retaining that. However, she thinks his body is making too many red blood cells from the lack of oxygen he receives so he will be a candidate for surgery next summer. We scheduled a heart Cath in March 2015. This test will allow them to have a better look at his heart before having open heart surgery. It will test pressures and see how urgent the next surgery might be. We have to schedule a visit with our surgeon, Dr. McKenzie after the cath is done. We will have surgery June, July or August. (Crossing our fingers for a summer date.) All of these dates are only scheduled tentatively.  Stocky was taken off Enalapril and we raised his dose of Aspirin to 81mg. He will only be taking that now! Hurray! After taking medications up to 8 times a day we are only left with taking Aspirin once a day! Stockton had a Holter monitor on when we flew home and we sent that back yesterday. We are nervous but yet anxious to have this next surgery. We go through so many emotions when Stockton is scheduled. I hate seeing him so vulnerable and I wish I could fix it. I don't think I will ever come to terms with his condition. It is a constant inner battle his Dad and I go through. Stockton is such a warrior. I am blessed to have him in my life and so many of yours. Please continue to pray for him and that the doctors have some guidance in the direction they will take. We are grateful  for all of you and the help we receive with our other children. 

We are going home!

Yes, that was a quick surgery and we are happy to get out of here! 

He is out!

The surgery went well and quick. We are thrilled to see him. He is not a happy camper at the moment.

Urology Surgery Update 1

Stockton was just taken back. They pulled him through the doors in a big wagon. He actually was really happy because they let him have an iPad. We hope to have an update soon.

Urology Surgery

We are here at Primary Children's for Stockton's urology surgery. They say the surgery shouldn't last long. They have told us that it is a simple surgery but with Stockton nothing is ever simple. He will be taken back in an hour or so. My heart breaks for him because he is so attached to us. I hate when they wheel him away and he screams. Keep him in your prayers!

Urology Surgery

Recently, we were told that Stockton needed to have a minor urology surgery. This will happen later this month at Primary Children's. I feel that sometimes Stockton can't catch a break. Every time he is wheeled off to surgery or has some type of invasive procedure I look at his sad face. Sometimes he screams and yells, "Mommy, please, Mommy!" Other times he is so relaxed because this is his normal. Those are the moments I dread. Those are the moments that I wish I could take his place. Those are the moments that I fall to my knees and ask, "Why?" This strong boy of mine is such a miracle. If you could hear him talk and run around you could feel the spiritual energy that this boy carries. I hate having him go through this life unhealthy and I hate that the things he goes through have to be done for him to survive. I don't think that this will ever get easier. I don't think that my prayers will ever end without tears streaming down my face. Every night I place my hand on his chest, just before I go to bed, and feel him take a few deep breaths. I walk around to my other children's rooms and do the same thing to them. Somehow each day I grow a little bit stronger and each day my love for my children grows. I wish that no parent had to watch their child suffer and no one had to lose a child. This minor surgery coming up is scary for us because he has to be put under sedation, again. The cardiac team has to be there and they will keep us posted. As this approaches I can't stop thinking about next year when he has his 3rd open heart surgery. I don't want it to come. I don't want him to scream and cry and wonder why his Mommy left him. I don't want him to think that I am abandoning him. The other surgeries he doesn't remember, this one he will. I am scared to death about losing any of my children. Stockton's body may not be too strong but with the Armour of God he will do great things.