Home again, let the NBA playoffs continue!

Lexi is home and resting now. She is now on 80 mg of Sotalol twice a day. She will go see her Cardiologist tomorrow at 9:00AM for a 12 lead EKG to watch a long QT, that started after the new med started. Let's not confuse this with the syndrome, this is something that can happen after the Sotalol started but will correct itself. She then will go back next week for a check up and a 24 hour Holter monitor.

When we arrived home we got Carl off to work, Aden had a playdate after school and we promptly fell asleep for nearly 3 hours. My mom picked Aden up as well as dinner for us. We were set for the night.

Please continue with the good thoughts and prayers as we continue with a few more "things" to get our life back to normal once again.

Hospitalization

Well, well, well. Yesterday was quite the interesting day. Alexia normally calls me through out her days on campus and yesterday she called me and said a few times while sitting in her class she had some "fast heart rate" episodes. She said she thought she was fine though and she would see me at home. I had a meeting at Aden's school and Carl was scheduled to work. When I got into my car after the meeting there was a voice mail on my phone and Carl and her were on their way to the Cardiolgosits for a EKG. Alexia's heart rate had tipped over 200 and it was erratic, time to get checked out. After her EKG the doc sent us to Sutter Memorial's ER. The Cardiologist came in as well as the E.P.. They had tried 2 doses of Solatol and then decided something else had to be done. The arrythmia she was in was Atrial Flutter and then next step was a cardioversion. The E.P., Cardiologist, R.T. and a couple nurses were in the room. Prophathol was administered and the "shock" took place. It worked and within 10 minutes she was back to a beautiful sinus rhythm. Alexia is now back on a Sotalol and they will need to monitor her beacause sometimes this med can cause arrythmia's.

One of the perks of Carl working for SMH was she got a private, luxury room with one on one nursing on 4th floor telemetry. I am sure this is a room that they use for celebrities, athletes etc. I will be heading over there now and will post later when I find out find out the plan.

A Toy Garden Bloggy Giveaway

I am going to do something I have never done before. Everyone knows I love to hold contests on my Blog but this time I am participating in the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival.

I have a absolute favorite on-line toy store that I shop at for any younger children toys. A Toy Garden has high quality toys run by a SAHM. To enter this contest you must browse through this on-line store and leave a comment about it. Please be creative. I will pick the most creative post and that person will win a lavender baby doll wrapped in a blue silk veil.

Guidelines

Shipping is free, but I will not ship anywhere other than within the Continental United States and Hawaii.

Requirements & details:no blog required but you must leave an email address so I can contact you if you win.

You must leave your comment by 04/25/08

I will pick a winner early morning on the 26th of April

Calling all bakers!

Alexia is planning her next Teen/Young Adult Support Group and wants to take a treat. She is looking for a tried and true Blondie (brownies) recipe. She would prefer a box mix but will also take something simple from scratch. If she picks your suggestion, she will make you (and mail you, if applicable) a batch.

Thankyou for your help!

The Four Temperaments. Which one are you (or your child)?

The Sanguine
The sanguine temperament is an extroverted temperament. The child lacks the fiery inner purpose of the choleric and is activated more by what is going on around her. She has difficulty in concentrating on one thing for long and a new event easily distracts her. This restless changeability can be a bane for parents and teachers. A sanguine is often light-footed and rhythmical, but also light-headed and light-hearted. The interest she shows in everything makes her popular and a good social bridge-builder. Parties are great fun for her and she is seldom alone. Her face is expressive and mobile and her eyes easily sparkle. She is more likely to have curly hair than straight. It is hard for her to bear antipathy from a friend or an adult, for she is most herself when she feels loved. In extreme forms, the sanguine can appear superficial and may be unable to concentrate on a game or to amuse herself for long. It is good to encourage the sanguine to stick to a task.

The Choleric
Choleric is an extroverted temperament and the child likes to assert himself. He is usually ready to tackle a job which would make others pause. He is not shy, but looks at you with a steady gaze. He walks with a firm step. His will to be out in front marks him as a leader. He likes to have the main role in a play or to organise others. He can inspire the group to complete a difficult task. It is not unusual to see him red with anger and with eyes flashing. This temperament likes to win but seldom bears a grudge. Opposing the Will of such a child generally gets the parent nowhere. He needs to be appreciated and given things to do which challenge him and use up his excessive energy. He learns best from people who can do things well and whom he can admire. He doesn’t easily learn from his mistakes. If guided well the choleric brings initiative and originality to his play. The temperament is fiery and this show in his paintings, where strong colours, especially red, and strong forms dominate.

The Phlegmatic
Phlegmatic is an introverted temperament. This child doesn’t easily connect with what is going on around her, for her interest is not easily aroused. Eating may be a prime attraction and she may be rounded and clumsy. She is generally easy to bring up, so she may not get the attention she needs. She enjoys comfort and doting parents may over-indulge her. She needs to be stimulated to action or to take interest. She is generally placid and doesn’t anger except when extremely frustrated. She is methodical, keeping her things in order unless she is so spoiled that, for the sake of comfort, she abandons her orderly ways. She can be counted on to do what she sets out to do, although speed is no object. She has a certain stubbornness, making her resistant to new ideas. She adores routine. Her love for food makes her gain weight and parents should impose a sensible diet. She needs to be encouraged to join in with other children and to try new activities. When she has found and interest in others, the phlegmatic is loyal and steadfast.

The Melancholic
This child experiences his physical body as somewhat of a burden. Instead of moving with a light skip (sanguine) or a firm step (choleric), he drags his feet. A minor physical injury causes excessive pain and while he likes others to know this, he doesn’t want to be consoled. Cold water is to be avoided for he needs warmth. He usually avoids social life and prefers to play by himself. Remarks easily wound and are long remembered. When surrounded by different goings on, he chooses what interests him and is not diverted by other things. He gives himself up easily to his own-world fantasies, which tend to be rich. This pre-occupation with his own world appears very egocentric and further increases his isolation. But it is an isolation which he appreciates. This inner concentration gives the melancholic a special depth and understanding which parents can appreciate. He also asks profound questions about God or death. Such lonely souls need a great deal of love and understanding, but too much sympathy is unhelpful, for he is to some extent in love with his own suffering. Making him aware of others can often help to take him out of his self-centredness. While he never wants to be the heart and soul of the party, he appreciates a warm social environment.

My feelings (Whether you want to hear them or not)

At a recent Parent Meeting we talked about competitive sports, in children, under 6th grade. Our family does not get involved in them neither does 80% of our school and you can see a difference in the children who do participate in them. I could go on and on but would like you to read the article below which sums it up in a nutshell.



PS: Obviously I have struck a nerve with some. My only hopes on this Blog is to write about my feelings, I realize not everyone is going to agree with me and that is ok (nobody is pressuring anyone to read it, you all come back cause you want to). Yes, Aden played T-ball for 2 weeks 2 years ago and it was just not for us. This is a Blog, not a newspaper.

Baseball day

Today was a wonderful day! Aden had his friend Jonah over and my girlfriend, Lorraine, invited us to a Rivercats game (baseball). She had a suite and we ate and cheered for a few hours. We had a great time and I just adore her! Below are some photos from today.

Leave it to a 22-year-old!

Today Alexia and I were talking about mine and Carl's upcoming B-days, May 10th (Carl's)and May 12th(mine). I insisted that I will be 44 and she insisted 45, of course, she was right. She has been planning to throw a Birthday Bash for this milestone B-day and I should know not to question her memory.

On another note. Carl and my 9th anniversary is approaching on the 17th of April. He is a amazing man and has taught me so much, so much came out of that scary hospital stay in 1997. We are trying to decide if we should take the Harley to Amador for dinner or stay close to home.

How did you celebrate your last anniversary? Anything unique or dare I ask.......

Double Outlet Right Ventricle

My favorite surgeon in the world, Dr. Rick Mainwaring recently explained Lexi's defect and repair to me. I "kinda" new but really didn't have a full understanding. Leave it to this man to explain something so perfectly.....

There are many types of DORV, everything from a close cousin to Tetralogy of Fallot, to the version that Alexia has (more complex, obviously) to some types where they are single ventricle patients. If the patient had a Kawashima, then they are almost certainly in the single ventricle category. Many patients with heterotaxy have DORV, and most of the heterotaxy/DORV patients need the single ventricle route of management. Parenthetically, it is our current belief that all patients with a Kawashima should have completion of their Fontan, a recommendation that we would not necessarily have made 10 years ago.

Alexia had a complex form of DORV, but had two well developed ventricles, so could go a two ventricle route. She had what is called an apical-aortic conduit—there is no name attached to this procedure, and it is not done very often anymore.

I am sure that it seems confusing that the name DORV, which sounds like it should be a single entity, turns out to be anything but. It would be analogous to calling something a car—that could turn out to be a Mercedes or a Hugo.

The reason I asked Dr. M this question, was because, I am emailed, almost daily, by families of children with DORV, trying to find out what Alexia had done.

Did I ever tell you how much I love this man??????



Alexia and Aden at the Zoo

Consumnes River Preserve

Aden and Jonah on one of our day trips.

Hippie!

You are a Hippie

You are a total hippie. While you may not wear birks or smell of incense, you have the soul of a hippie. You don't trust authority, and you do as you please. You're willing to take a stand, even when what you believe isn't popular. You like to experiment with ideas, lifestyles, and different subcultures. You always gravitate toward what's radical and subversive. Normal, mainstream culture doesn't really resonate with you.

Are You a Hippie?

Tested

Some of the things that have happened this past week have really tested my committment to Peds Cardiology! I was recently reemed by a family and have just learned that someone, whom I love, is not going to be part of the heart program anymore. The latter was a killer to me. I am not sure what to do. It has been a very crappy week!

Aden's Quest

Many of you know how much Aden loves the river. He could spend most of his days at the American River, which is near our house. After talking about doing something to help others, he decided he would like to spend the day at the American River cleaning up. Thursday, April 3rd we are going to visit the American River, equipped with garbage bags and spend the day cleaning. We are looking for pledges for www.friendsoftheriver.org in helping 2-fold. We will try to make the American River cleaner while raising money to make a donation to them. We are looking for pledges per hour or per bag of garbage or a flat pledge, please specify.

Thankyou to all for your support!!!

Happy Easter!

I got this idea from Awesome Mom, thankyou!

I am stuffing my kids Easter Baskets and usually give them minimal candy and the rest toys or appropriate stuff for a 22-year-old-kid. What do you put in your kids Easter Baskets?

Be so happy that it is 2008 and not 1985

Sometimes, if I have finished my current book I am reading and my husband is at work, I take some time to poke through different heart blogs that are out there. I did just this last night and it is amazing to me how many families are awaiting their 3rd surgery, be it the Fontan or a repair. The waiting game. Oh, how I don't envy any of you but what could I do to make it easier? Absolutely nothing. One blog I read, Eka's blog talked about the 5-year-mark, which I have always thought, with any complex heart defect, if you can reach that age, things will surely be fine. It was good to read that someone else out there was thinking that (she many have a different interpretation). I am so thankful we are where we are now, Alexia has done amazing well, but if I had to choose, I would have wanted a baby born, with a complex heart defect, in the year 2008 rather then 1985, with everything that has changed in the world of Pediatric Heart Surgery.

I want to tell everyone, "It will all be ok!!", "Your children will be fine!" It will just be hell getting there.


Alexia and her PC, Andy Juris, after her repair in 1990.



Alexia, Summer 2007

Yay!!!!!!!!

UPDATE: We received word at 4:45 pm today, March 18, that the girls have been located. Grace is now back in Sacramento with her family tonight. Masha has been located and we're hoping to have her home tomorrow. The family thanks everyone who has helped to find them, and sent thoughts and prayers and love throughout. We will have more details tomorrow and will share them then.


www.whereisgrace.com

Grace

A Family we have known since Alexia was 5 recently lost their daughter. No, she didn't pass away, lured away is what they think.

Here is last night's KCRA story on 15-year-old Grace. Also, the family has set up a website in hopes of finding her, www.whereisgrace.com.

Please keep this family in your thoughts.

Very, very cool

This was our view from our front yard. The Blue Angels were visiting Sacramento and had a all weekend show. They were pretty spectacular and very fun to watch.

Winners!

3 ladies guessed what exactly what was in the blender. Awesome Mom, Jennifer Yates (my son's teacher) and Andrea. It was a pesto sauce that I used for stuffed chicken breasts that evening. They were stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes and mozerella drizzled with pesto. Delicious. All the ladies win a rocket shaped spatula (see above)! I thought they were darling. Now, an extension of the contest. If you can guess how I made the pesto creamy (without adding any extra ingredients)you will win a bonus prize.

Good luck!

What is it??

What is it?? Whoever guesses the right answer wins a cool prize. If there are more then one people who guess the right answer, all the correct guessers win a prize!