Heart Update

I've been getting lots of questions about Ann Elizabeth's cardiologist appointment last week.  My plan was to update immediately, but I was with a dear friend who lost her precious grandmother all weekend/week.

So, anyway, she still has the hole, actually he thinks it is two.  He confirmed what he said last time.  They are very, very small and will not cause a problem.  He said that holes usually close at least by sometime around the first birthday.  He suspects hers will not close.  He did say that sometimes they close later, even into teenage years, but it doesn't happen very often.  However, that is no cause for concern.  He still is not recommending any medicines or anything to treat the hole.  He said they are not causing a problem and never will.  He said they may not close but she will out grow them.  Meaning, right now they are whatever size, but as she grows they won't necessarily get smaller; however, as her heart gets bigger, they will be relatively smaller.  Also, if it is two, and I definitely noticed the two areas before he even said anything, it is not any more dangerous.  He said it doesn't matter how many, as much as the size and even if she does have two they are not causing any problems.

So, it really is good news, even though it isn't completely healed and may never be.

We also learned yesterday, after Ann Elizabeth's third diagnosed ear infection this month, that we may be looking at tubes.  We go back after this round of antibiotics to check her ears.  The doctor needs to see if she is just catching a bunch of colds or if her ears are never clearing up.  Not to be a downer, but I'm thinking that it is probably the latter since she has really had cold symptoms since October.  She never cries or even has a fever with these infections so it is hard to tell how long she has been having them.  Of course it could just be that she is a baby building up her immunity, but if she really is having constant fluid on her ears it is not only bad for her health, but also her hearing and speech development as well.  (Thanks Rachel and Ashley because of you I know how helpful and important tubes can be for development!)

I know that both of these issues are easily dealt with, but you still want your baby to be healthy! :(  I know that we are so lucky especially with the heart, because it could be a lot worse!  I am SO grateful that these are really the only health issues (besides the scares Ann Elizabeth gave us during pregnancy) we have had to deal with with our children so far.  And as her name reminds us, God vows to be gracious to us.  He certainly has!!

Thanks for all of your prayers!