Appointment Update

Just thought I'd quickly share how today went.

We had 2 appointments for Nate this morning. The first was with a physiotherapist at Children's Hospital. I was completely impressed with her knowledge and treatment of Nate. The issue that we're trying to resolve or at least aid, is the chronic (ongoing) phlegmy (is that a word?!) breathing that he has. When he does cough, it sounds like he's sick - it's really wet and thick sounding. I always feel so bad when he coughs in public because it sounds like he's got a bad cold, sometimes I feel like I get 'the eye' when people hear him, since it does sound like he's sick - but in truth, he's not spreading any germs or viruses.....it's just the way he sounds.

Anyway, our physiotherapist, who deals with cardiac patients, and young ones at that, gave me a lot of new skills to try to loosen up the mucous manually, with different exercises and pummeling. She will also be following up with Nate in a few weeks.

By 11:00 a.m., we were done and walked across the street to the Variety Children's Heart Clinic. Our PC wanted to reassess Nate, after I told her last week of some of the episodes Nate had been having. They did an ultrasound (kinda successfully). She said there was no real change from the last time they did one, however that leakage in one of his valves is severe. She added a new drug, a diuretic that will hopefully help eliminate some of the extra fluids Nate has going on. She also wants to follow up in 4 weeks, to make sure his weight isn't falling behind and to see how the new drug is working. She will also be doing a more extensive and accurate ultrasound, for which she'll give Nate a sedative so that they'll be able to do a proper ultrasound. Then, the plan is to put all his information together and send it to Edmonton, where his treatment and options will be determined by the specialists there.

Our PC didn't want to say anything definite, but did think that with in the next 6 months we may be addressing the valve issue.

That's it in a nutshell - if I think of anything else, I'll add it later! For now, I'm just so thankful for my boys, Don, my family and friends! Blessings like these make Thanksgiving a truly special time! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!