Hope for Baby Bennett: Happy Glenniversary!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Happy Glenniversary!

One year ago today, our sweet boy had his third open heart surgery, his Bi-Directional Glenn.

That means one year, yes, one whole year now, without a surgery (after 3 surgeries in 7 months, that's kind of an exciting new record!!!).

We celebrated by baking...

and baking...

cookies and brownies for the CHLA CTICU staff. Bodie already had a regularly scheduled appointment with his Electrophysiologist today, so in honor of the 1-year anniversary of his Glenn and his buddy Townes's Fontan, we swung through the CTICU and dropped off lots o' goodies with these cute pics on them:

For the day staff...

and for the night staff (I have it on good authority from Bodie's former night nurses that goodies are always gone by the time they come on, so we made them their own pan this time!)...

Bodie was SO excited about his Glenniversary and seeing his favorite Electrophysiologist that he decided to go into EAT again on Sunday (essentially, his heart starting beating too fast and out of normal sinus rythym). :-( Just enough to make mama worried again. Double :-(. Luckily, he snapped out of it about 24 hours later, but not before spending almost an entire day panting and being clingy and cranky (and forcing mama to spend an inordinate amount of time just staring at the pulse-ox, willing the numbers to change - as any heart parent will tell you, staring worriedly at a pulse ox has to be the BIGGEST time suck ever - even worse than Facebook!). Fun times. We're not sure what triggered it this time (maybe an impending cold or virus? Who knows), but are going up on his Propranalol (his beta-blocker) to try and head these attacks off at the pass if possible. Other than that, his appointment went great - his pacemaker checked out great and we spent most of our time there wandering through the CTICU and Cardiology area just showing off. I swear, I will never tire of hearing the doctors and nurses say "wow, Bodie looks AMAZING!" :-)

In other news, will you please keep baby Ella in your prayers? She was born this morning and has the same condition as Bodie (I've mentioned her mom Melissa before - she's from my hometown). She's doing well, but as you all know, she's got quite the fight ahead of her. Please pray that she stays stable and has a smooth Norwood with no huge complications. Thank you!

3 comments:

StaceySeptember 13, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Yay Bodie, one year with no cutting! Love ya!!!
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UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:52 PM
so exciting! :-) Love the picture collages too!
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TaraSeptember 14, 2011 at 5:02 AM
Happy Glenniversary Bodie!! 1 year without surgery is a huge milestone! Love all the pics =)
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The Chosen Mothers by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you." No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps -"Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them." She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."