Abram and Family update

I thought you all might be curious as to how Abram is doing, medically and his over all adjustment.

Medically, Abram has complete transposition of the great vessels(his heart/vessels are flip flopped), VSD(hole in his heart), and narrow pulmanary artary(which lessens the blood flow). He's been to our Peditrician and to the cardilogist a few times. He's had an ECHO, and then another one(put Abram under for the second one), EKG, and now needs a cardiac catherization.

I'm a bit frustrated with the appointment date of the cardic catherization, because it was set up for April 15th(I wanted it done early next week) and now it's been changed for April 22nd. ARRR! Though it does sound like this is the last test before his surgery. I've called(twice) and expressed my concern, wanting a sooner appointment, but that hasn't changed anything. How is it that the Dr.'s and nurses seem to express amazement over his oxygen saturation level(70-72), the blueness of his lips, fingers, and toes and the clubbing of his fingers and toes, but yet hold off on his last test for 3-4 weeks?! ...So Jeff called this afternoon and asked if our cardiologist was ok with this appointment(being 3 weeks away from now). A nurse called back and explained some things that made more sense as to why they are waiting. Due to his pulmonary artery being so narrow, they are concerned that a "normal" catheter will not be able to make it up his artery. They need a "special" piece of equipment in case they can't do a normal catheterization...which is coming with a rep from Canada who travels all over the US doing these tests. He flys in on April 21st, which is why our appointment was delayed til the 22nd. They want to make sure they get all the information they need now before his surgery. This information made us feel a lot better about why we're waiting. (Sorry for the general terms...I (Jeff) didn't totally understand everything she was telling me!)

His pediatrician said if my oxygen saturation level were to dip down to that level, we'd be unconsious. Abram's body has compensated for everything over time. We are hoping that Abram will have surgery done in a few weeks. As his body grows, he will need surgery again as a teen or in his early adult years. (Aaron or Bekah, you can correct me if I stated something wrong or whatever!!)

In my little understanding, Abram should have had some sort of surgery as an infant and then again at 2 years of age. He has NOT had any surgeries. I don't believe this is a reflection of China's care, as much as it is that Abram came from a poor province.

With all that said, we are SO thankful for a good children's hospital and good doctors so close by!! I pray that God will give them wisdom as they view his test results and as they perform surgery. So, how is Abram adjusting?...That's hard to sum it up in one statement. He still loves to be held, snuggled in the mornings and held throughout the day. Sometimes, I get to point where my arms can't take it any more or I'm emotionally spent and then he sits at my feet screaming and crying. There are times that he is distracted by Chase or Aubrey. I'm so thankful that Abram is NOT our first and he HAS siblings here at home!!

Chase loves being with Abram and Abram adores Chase. It's really cute to see the two together. Aubrey, on the other hand, wants to mother him....and he doesn't like it from her!! They have a love/hate relationship. Aubrey's struggling in sharing me and gets jealous pretty easy.

In the afternoons, Abram will nap(usually for 40min-1hour) while Chase is at school. During this time, Aubrey has me all to herself...but it still never seems to be enough time for her. Since Abram takes up so much of our time, our Saturday's are spent by taking Chase and Aubrey out on "dates" with me or Jeff.

I find myself wishing away these adjustment days and I know I shouldn't. It's been a refining process(for me), to say the least.

They really do have fun sometimes.

pretend bunk beds one of my favorite pics isn't she cute?!

A brother, at last!!