Steve Catoe, aka The Funky Heart. A heart warrior. A hero in our CHD community. An inspiration to moms and dads of Cardiac Kids. A blogger who researched and shared important information about this disease we are all fighting. A devoted advocate in the fight against CHDs.
Steve passed away last night. I don't know any details. I just know that we will all miss Steve so much.
Please pray for his family during this difficult time.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Mystery Bug - Be Gone!!!
We really thought Zach was on the mend after my last post but he started coughing more and more on Thursday --- and had a fever over 102 Thursday evening. We called and talked to the answering service and the doctor advised that if we could not get his fever down to take him into the ER. Fortunately, we were able to get it down with Tylenol. Daddy slept with Zach in the recliner so he could be sitting up more.
Friday morning we were on the phone at 8am and got an early appointment. The doctor we saw always seems to listen more aggressively to their lungs than any of the other doctors --- he had helped Rebecca last Fall when she had allergies with a cough that would not quit. We may switch and start seeing him regularly. Anyway, he could hear something going on in Zach's left lung and bronchial area. They tested for RSV (another nose swab) and tested for walking pnumonia (another finger stick) but they were both negative. Nonetheless, he prescribed Azithromax, a steroid, and breathing treatments (he cleared this with our cardiologist first).
Coughing MORE is not Zach's idea of getting better --- unfortunately that is exactly what these meds are doing. Helping him get the gunk up and out. Bless his heart, he could not get to sleep for coughing last night. We tried him sleeping in our room. He had coughing fit after coughing fit so daddy took him to the recliner. Still more coughing fits. Did I mention that each coughing fit results in Zach gagging and sometimes hurling? So, Mommy slept on the couch next to the recliner so she could help manage cleanup. Not a fun night.
Oh, and did I mention that now I have a sinus cold??? Sigh.
Despite my whining, we do have so much to be thankful for. God is so good and I am trying to keep an attitude of gratitude. First, I have to go blow my nose.
We are getting ready to get all the Christmas decor down from the attic. Zach keeps asking when we are going to put up the tree, so maybe the excitement will help him feel better. Pictures later of our progress...
Friday morning we were on the phone at 8am and got an early appointment. The doctor we saw always seems to listen more aggressively to their lungs than any of the other doctors --- he had helped Rebecca last Fall when she had allergies with a cough that would not quit. We may switch and start seeing him regularly. Anyway, he could hear something going on in Zach's left lung and bronchial area. They tested for RSV (another nose swab) and tested for walking pnumonia (another finger stick) but they were both negative. Nonetheless, he prescribed Azithromax, a steroid, and breathing treatments (he cleared this with our cardiologist first).
Coughing MORE is not Zach's idea of getting better --- unfortunately that is exactly what these meds are doing. Helping him get the gunk up and out. Bless his heart, he could not get to sleep for coughing last night. We tried him sleeping in our room. He had coughing fit after coughing fit so daddy took him to the recliner. Still more coughing fits. Did I mention that each coughing fit results in Zach gagging and sometimes hurling? So, Mommy slept on the couch next to the recliner so she could help manage cleanup. Not a fun night.
Oh, and did I mention that now I have a sinus cold??? Sigh.
Despite my whining, we do have so much to be thankful for. God is so good and I am trying to keep an attitude of gratitude. First, I have to go blow my nose.
We are getting ready to get all the Christmas decor down from the attic. Zach keeps asking when we are going to put up the tree, so maybe the excitement will help him feel better. Pictures later of our progress...
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Good News - Bad News
The Good News: Zach's cardiology checkup was great! He was 31.5 lbs, 39" tall, pulse ox 93, bp good, and echo good. Dr. R. said his heart looks great! His fenestration (a hole they made during surgery that acts as a "pop-off valve" ) is still open, so Dr. R. is putting in the request to Charleston for a heart cath in March. They will place a coil to close it and have a look around to make sure all is well.
The best part of the appointment was when Dr. R. said "We are going to stop the Lasix." Woo hoo!!! I am so glad to get rid of that. In case you don't know, Lasix is a diruetic. Diruetics and preschoolers do not go well together. Basically, when we give it to him, we have to stay home for the next 2 hours so he can go tee-tee every 15-20 minutes. Trying to get a 4 year old to stop playing every 15 minutes to go potty results in lots of complaints. Dealing with accidents during this 2 hour period has been frustrating. Hopefully, he will do well off of it and we can be lasix-free from now on!
The Bad News: We thought Zach was on the mend, but he spiked a fever again this afternoon. He also has a bit of a cough. Daddy promptly called and got an appointment at the pediatrician. They tested for strep (negative), flu (negative), AND pricked his finger (white count normal). Poor guy! They are culturing the blood and strep swab.
So, we are not sure what is going on. All I know is that this little bug that's causing him to feel so bad has overstayed its welcome. We have places to be and people to see and TURKEY to eat!
Hope your Thanksgiving is full of blessings!
The best part of the appointment was when Dr. R. said "We are going to stop the Lasix." Woo hoo!!! I am so glad to get rid of that. In case you don't know, Lasix is a diruetic. Diruetics and preschoolers do not go well together. Basically, when we give it to him, we have to stay home for the next 2 hours so he can go tee-tee every 15-20 minutes. Trying to get a 4 year old to stop playing every 15 minutes to go potty results in lots of complaints. Dealing with accidents during this 2 hour period has been frustrating. Hopefully, he will do well off of it and we can be lasix-free from now on!
The Bad News: We thought Zach was on the mend, but he spiked a fever again this afternoon. He also has a bit of a cough. Daddy promptly called and got an appointment at the pediatrician. They tested for strep (negative), flu (negative), AND pricked his finger (white count normal). Poor guy! They are culturing the blood and strep swab.
So, we are not sure what is going on. All I know is that this little bug that's causing him to feel so bad has overstayed its welcome. We have places to be and people to see and TURKEY to eat!
Hope your Thanksgiving is full of blessings!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thanksgiving Festivities... unless the sickies have invaded
Bill got to go to Zach's preschool on Thursday for their Thanksgiving dinner and program. Zach's class sang "Every Turkey Can Tango" and acted out the story of the pilgrims and the Indians on the first Thanksgiving. They had a great time!
Here's the place setting that each child made
Zach (the one with his shirt pulled up!) is showing off how thankful he is to be a CHD Survivor
Look at all the desserts!
This morning before church, Zach did not want his breakfast. This has become more and more common on school mornings and we often take it in the car with us for him to eat on the way. Toward the end of children's church, he started acting like he didn't feel good and sure enough, after we got home, he started running a fever. His tummy has been a little upset, too. Please pray that this is just one of those short-lived bugs.
While I'm on the subject, can anyone recommend a really good thermometer? I bought a temple-read thermometer from Walgreen's but it doesn't seem to be reliable --- I can take his temp several times and get several different results. I know he has a fever because I can feel that he's hot. I just like to keep tabs on how high it is.
Some other prayer requests for our family...
- Zach goes to the cardiologist on Tuesday for a checkup.
- Zach has an assessment, also on Tuesday, for his TEFRA (Medicaid) to see if he still qualifies for benefits. I am nervous about this because we could be denied and have to go through the appeal process. Anyone have experience with this? I don't know if it differs from state to state?
- We are supposed to travel to have Thanksgiving with Bill's family if everyone is well, so please pray for good health.
We are thankful for your faithful prayers!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Good Ole Fashioned Fun
Did you ever do this as a child?
There's nothing like a simple cardboard box, big or small, to entertain a child, big or small, for hours on end... My two children actually played together in this box (yes, it's in the middle of our living room!) for about 30 minutes without any fussing or fighting! I think that might be a record!
There's nothing like a simple cardboard box, big or small, to entertain a child, big or small, for hours on end... My two children actually played together in this box (yes, it's in the middle of our living room!) for about 30 minutes without any fussing or fighting! I think that might be a record!
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