Happy Joy

One of Melia's favorite phrases to say is, "Happy Joy," and we are filled with "Happy Joy" after receiving a great Cardiology report today!  

Just to recap...Melia had her first open heart surgery (but not on heart/lung bypass) May 29, 2012.  She had a Pulmonary Artery Banding with the goal of strengthening her left ventricle and getting it ready for a corrective surgery called the Double Switch sometime in the future.  Although a technically "easy" surgery if the band is placed too tight it could lead to the rapid onset of heart failure.  If it is too loose then it doesn't do the job and multiple bandings are needed to accomplish the goal.  

After Melia seemed to bounce back beautifully from her banding she had a 6 week follow-up with Cardiology that confirmed our perception based on her outward behavior that things were going great!  The band was starting to do it's job and our Cardiologist thought maybe she could avoid future bandings because it looked so good.

Today we went back and had an Echo, EKG and office visit with the Cardiologist.  It seems that the velocity over her PA Band ranges from 3-3.7 which on the higher end is about the same as systemic pressures.  What that means is that her heart is already strengthening to the point that the left ventricle might be able to withstand the stress of pumping blood to the body.  She still has a mild tricuspid and mitral valve leak and a very small VSD, but nothing concerning or worsening.  The echocardiogram is not the most sophisticated test to measure the function of the left ventricle so down the road we will need one or maybe two Cardiac MRI's and maybe a Heart Cath to confirm that her heart is ready for a Double Switch.  Our cardiologist will run this by the local heart surgeon and decide together when the best time for an MRI would be.  But, for now we do not need to return for 6 MONTHS!  I am so filled with Happy Joy!!

Thankful to God for...

...good news...a caring and knowledgeable doctor...Melia sitting quietly for 30 minutes while they did an Echo and EKG...prayer support and encouragement from our family, Journey Group and close friends...Daddy picking up the other kids while we were at the appointment...running into a new friend who also spends quite a bit of time at Childrens...a hospital that is close to home...God's healing hand on Melia's heart...my daughter, Melia.  I love her so so much.  It's a crazy kind of God love for this little one...thankful that her heart was part of the reason she came to us!

Some pictures of my"Happy Joy" girl...

Summer and Back to School

Hello again!  This summer has flown by and now my "big kids" are back in school.  The summer days at our home were full of late nights, neighborhood friends, old friends, swimming, swim team, baseball, lake parties, canoe rides, Melia's Dedication, camps, lemonade, cousins, an 8th birthday, road trips and lots and lots of hot dogs!  We had a great and wonderful time together.  We also had bickering, and name calling, and boredom and tears, but we got through those moments and came out of our summer with mostly thankful hearts.

When the second week of August hit our family was ready for the order and structure of school days. We all needed earlier bed times, organized days, regular excercise, homework due dates and routine.

Ryan and I were talking about the gift of seasons that God gives us.  When summer hit we were in need of a loose, care free schedule and when the school year hit we were ready for the more structured days that the fall lends itself to.  God is so good to give us fresh starts every day, every month, every season and every year.  His mercy is always new and fresh and life-giving.

I glimpse of summer 2012 with the Horner clan...