10-18-2011

Stockton had an echo early this morning and he had to be sedated for it. I was so glad that they had oral sedation because I didn't want them searching for a vein. He has the smallest veins and they always have a really hard time getting IVs in him. The appointment went well and there were no changes to his medications. Stockton has been gaining about 23 grams a day, which is good, but they want him around 30 per day.  Stockton is scheduled for a cardiac cath on November 7th and the procedure with take about 3-4 hours. Usually, this procedure is a cake walk but you never know with HLHS babies. Please pray that all goes well. If the doctor need to place a shunt in his aorta then we will need to stay at the hospital over night. We pray all goes smoothly and that we come home when the time is right. This past Wednesday we also had had his vaccinations scheduled and he was such a trooper. However, the last three days he has been throwing up a lot. We changed his bottle nipples back to slow flow and that seems to be working. He is not happy about it because he has to work harder.

I can't believe he is almost 3 months old. I can't help but cry as I write this post. Stockton has become such a good baby. My only complaint is that I wish he would sleep a little more during the day. He loves to be in the action and loves getting attention. Yesterday morning he was on the verge of giggling. He is so close. Stockton just loves his big sister, Tylee. Anytime she looks at him he gives her a smile. Our little guy hit 11 pounds this week, YEAH! We are so happy. We want him to get even bigger. The bigger the better! I have been brave enough to take Stockton to the park a couple of times. He loves being outside. I walk him around in the stroller and he just falls right asleep. We love having this little man in our home and we continually gain strength from him.

Announcement

2nd Single Ventricle Visit & A Bearing Of Testimony

The appointment went smoothly and was on time. That is saying a lot considering our first visit a few weeks ago. Stockton's current medication schedule is like this: 12am Propanolol (P), Mylicon (M), 6am (P) & (M), 9am Prevacid (Pr) and Aspirin (A), 12pm (P) & (M), and finally 9pm (Pr) and (M). As of today we added one medication and we can now give the Mylicon "as needed." (Which is for gas relief.) Our new schedule is a bit better. We added Enalapril, which is a heart medication that will help his high blood pressure. The Propanolol was not doing the job so we have to give him both now. New schedule: 1am (P), 9am Enalapril (E), (P) and (Pr), 5pm (A) & (P), 9pm (E) & (Pr). The stretch between 9am and 5pm is so nice. If we have any doctor appointments or errands I don't have to carry his meds. IT IS SO NICE because some of them need to be refrigerated. 

P.S. I usually bear my testimony once a year during Sacrament services. I often feel that the Lord gives you these amazing experiences because he wants you to share them with others. I often feel that if you don't share those experiences with others that you are taking something away from them. You know that feeling that you get when you know you are suppose to go up and something is just tugging at your heart and pulling your legs to just get up to the stand? Well, that means that the Lord knows you have something to say and that something could be just what another person needs to hear that day. Last Sunday I shared with the congregation what a struggle the last year has been. The last year has been physically, spiritually and emotionally draining for me. Life as come so easy to me and all of a sudden I have hit this brick wall and trials just keep coming and coming. Most of which have been about Stockton. I shared stories where I have these casual conversations with God and I talk to him as if he was right there. It often starts when I am having a hard time or experiencing a lot of emotion. I say, "Seriously, this is happening to me now. Haven't I been through enough? Please help me." I have said this exact sentence numerous times out loud and many times during my prayers. It was probably one of the most emotional testimonies I have ever given. I continue to pull strength from those around me and I know that God only gives you what you can handle. I am hoping that God doesn't think that I can handle very much more. :) I need everyone to know that through these experiences I have become stronger, I have become a better mother, I have become a better friend and I have become more in tune with the spirit. The Lord is with you always and he continues to be by your side. I know that this experience with Stockton is a crucial part of my life and it will be forever. If I can get through this then I can get through anything, so can you. Christ knows us personally.Mosiah 4:9 "Believe in God, believe that He is, believe that He has all wisdom and all power, both in heaven and in earth." In the name of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Totals

I looked over our bank statements and we paid a total of $417.00 in just parking alone. I have tallied up our food costs and it looks like it is around $200 but that does not include the $300 plus dollars we received in giftcards. We were fortunate to get 3 meals a day for free because I am breastfeeding. Who knows how much it would have been if that were not the case? We spent about $100.00 in gas but that does not include what my mother spent in filling up our cars while we were away. The bills have started to flow in from the physicians and the hospital. The grand total for his visit is $103,381.00! Wow! Well, we already paid my $3,000 deductible and now we have to pay Stockton's $3,000. Luckily, every visit until the end of the year is free. We are so grateful for insurance!

1st Single Ventricle Visit

We went to our first single ventricle clinic visit this past Tuesday and it went relatively well. The problem was that I had a 7:30am appointment and was not see until 10am. Then Stockton's 9am appointment was pushed back to noon. It was sort of a nightmare but we had to do it. Stockton had an echo, an x-ray and an EKG. The doctors discovered that his tricuspid valve is leaking a little. (Meaning some blood flow is going the wrong way then pools then goes out the right way.) The increased his Propanolol to see if that would help. The doctors said this is a common finding but they like to see it very minimal and Stockton's is moderate. Everything but that seemed to check out. Stockton weighs a whopping 8.8 pounds. He is doing so well at home. His schedule could be a little better but we are working on it. We have another visit in two weeks.

We are home!

We have been home since Tuesday night.We are so blessed to have both our babies under one roof. We just love having Stockton in our home. We are so busy that I can't even remember what life was life with just one child. I am lucky to take a take a shower before Seth gets off of work. We will continue to update as we go to Stockton's appointments. Thanks for supporting us through this crucial time.

UGH!

I know I sound like a complete pessimist but I am really trying to pull through each day. I look at Stockton and just think about how strong he is. Well, today he actually lost a few grams so we are not being discharged. We have been told that we were going home for the last 5 days. Everyday seems to get a little bit more disappointing. Stockton will gain weight for a few days then when we are ready to go home he loses a few grams. Yes, I am talking about little grams. You wouldn't think that was a big deal but it is. He lost 30 grams today after gaining 90 grams yesterday. The doctors came in today and told us to not plan on going home until after the long weekend. So as for now my mother is coming for the day so I can have a break. Seth has been such a rock through this and I am so glad I have him. Please keep praying for Stockton. We love him!