A New Heart

Today has been a great day!

For starters, I got to sleep in (if you consider 7 a.m. as sleeping in). Then, I woke up to learn that it was absolutely beautiful outside (and I got to enjoy it through more than my classroom window). We dressed Ethan in an adorable outfit, consisting of a multi-colored striped onesie and some Osh'Kosh overalls (precious). And, finally, we packed up and headed to Duke Raleigh where we would hunker down for the morning.

This was the first time Ethan's cardiologist had seen him since we left the hospital. I was excited for him to see how great Ethan looks! I knew he would be pleased, and I was hopeful that we would get some good news. Before we even saw Dr. Idriss, we realized that we'll need to buy a new carseat soon! Our little chunker is 19.5 pounds; only 2.5 more until it's "out with the old, and in with the new".

Ethan was somewhat upset that his loving, competent parents would schedule his cardio check-up smackdab in the middle of his morning nap. When Dr. Idriss came in the first time, Ethan was giving us an earful. Dr. I proceeded to listen to Ethan's heart, which is always a tense moment for me. I never know what he's going to say when he puts down his stethoscope, and I was pretty sure he couldn't hear much of anything with all the squaling Ethan was doing. However, the words that came out of his mouth were sweet music to this mama's ears.

"That's a new heart."

He said it with such awe and pleasure, and I couldn't help but let a few tears fall. Evidently, this second surgery did wonders for the over-powering sound of Ethan's (previous) murmur. Blood is flowing so much easier and smoother through his heart, and the difference is substantial.

Then, Dr. I ordered an echo and an EKG to check out Ethan's heart function and rhythm. The EKG looked great, and the echo gave us more encouraging news. The right ventricle is still very thick, with decreased function, but it's improving. It's not perfect, by any means, but it's getting there. God is hearing our prayers, restoring my son's heart, and making His power known through it all!

More magical words were spoken: "I have no concerns about his heart right now." and I teared up yet again. NO concerns?! Thank you, Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

A while later, we were leaving Dr. I's office with giddy grins stretched wide across our faces. We celebrated the good news with an outside lunch and some new fall clothes for the miracle baby himself.

You know, that baby. My baby. The one with the new heart.