Being Heart Healthy

Last week Vada had a scheduled cardiologist appointment. Everything checked out well. She still has her small VSD and the leaking valve but is showing no signs and is having no symptoms of struggling from her heart conditions in any way. In fact, her cardiologist, Dr. Bramlett said she is "Amazing!" and he went on to say how impressed he is with her constant growth and successes. His amazement isnt because of her having Down syndrome, he has a lot of patients with Ds, he is amazed because of the obstacles that she has overcome and yet she is thriving and strong and she is constantly reaching her goals and moving on to meet new ones!

 I like this doctor a lot. He's very nice and he is so great to Vada but there is a time shortly after Vada's heart surgery where he kind of put me in my place and set me straight with God again and he has no clue about it...

It was during a check up, maybe a month or two after her heart surgery. Dr. Bramlett mentioned that Vada still had the VSD and the leaky Valve in her heart. I was floored, angry and shocked. I didn't understand why the actual heart surgeon hadn't filled me in on this huge piece of information directly after the surgery and I why I was just finding out about it all at that moment, weeks after the actual surgery. Most of all, out of all that I was feeling, I was terrified for my little girl and out of that fear I spit out a question asking why the surgeon hadn't "fixed" her heart when he was "in there" in there first place. Dr. Bramlett turned to me, looked me in the eyes and calmly stated that the surgeon wasn't God and wasn't capable of "fixing" everything or everyone. His statement stung but he was right and I knew it. Dr. Bramlett's reply has stuck with in many situations. I think a lot of patients or parents of patients may have been angered by his matter-of-fact reply but it was just what I needed. 

Yes, God creates all things perfectly in His image. Sometimes however, we want to "fix" or help when something isn't quite as right as we would like them to be, like for us with Vada's heart condition or when she was suffering with seizures. However, ultimately, it's still all out of my control as well as the doctors. Ultimately, God is the best medical Specialist available and He is the chief of surgery. He'll make the final call and I have faith in Him and in Vada, they are both so strong, stronger than I will ever know. 

Now, that I have rambled on and your all probably wondering what the heck I am trying to say... All is well. Really. Vada's check up went well. She is doing great and while she still has heart conditions that are of concern, they are not changing or getting worse or causing her any problems, so we are as happy with this check up as we possibly could be, (short of being told her heart had miraculously healed).

P.S. Check out how much Vada has grown since September of 2011!

A Heart Happy

In some religions, the dove represents the Holy Spirit. A dove can also symbolize peace.

This morning I dreaded getting up. I was nervous about Vada's cardiologist appointment this afternoon. 

Vada's last cardiologist appointment was three months ago and that's when we were told that V still had a VSD (after having gone through a Complete AV Canal repair/open heart surgery) and what I remembered as a leaking valve or artery and what looked like the beginning of Pulmonary Hypertension. We thought that we wouldn't set an appointment again for another year only we were handed some scary "possibilities" and sent home with another check up in three month. That appointment was today.

As I was getting a cup of coffee (my second a.m. cup in over a month) Justin spotted a dove sitting on our porch  As I stood inhaling the aromas of a good roasted bean and warming my hands from the warmth that had radiated throughout my mug, Justin said that maybe this dove was a sign from God, maybe it was sent to us as a sign that everything was going to be okay and you know what? It was!

Vada had a ECHO today and afterward the doctor came in and explained that what he seen and heard during the last ECHO and exam  (three months ago), he could no longer find or hear today! He could still hear the leaking valve and the leaking artery but that it looked as if the VSD is no longer there! We bring V back to him in six month, not three and as long as she is doing well and is healthy, then we wont plan on doing another ECHO t the six month check up! Isn't that amazing? If that isnt a miracle from God Himself then I don't know what is! Vada's cardiologist, Dr. Bramlet, said that he was extremely happy with how V is doing and that he wanted to emphasize on the fact that she. is. doing. great! 

Today, before I left, I posted this post on Facebook...

In the words of Beth Moore, "I need a little Jesus." So, i am heading to my women's group at church and then to Peoria. There was a beautiful Dove sitting on our deck this morning, Justin said I think this is God trying to calm your heart with a small sign that everything will be okay today. Please lift Vada up in your prayers.

I had many replies on Facebook, via email and through texts and they continued throughout the day. People all over were saying prayers for our daughter and for her well being. Thank you! Thank you for loving our daughter and for taking a moment today to pray for her and to send your love our way! I know that God heard all of us, I know it because our prayers were answered. Thank you.