Tyler's Cardiology Visit

I don't even know how and why I have time to write a post right now. My life is full of work stress these days after being out for a week sick!

Anyway, when Tyler was born, among other issues, he had a hole in his heart. They sent us to a pediatric cardiologist at Duke, where I work, when he was 3 weeks old. They checked it then and then set us up to come back when he turned 3. Frankly, I had kind of forgotten about it until they sent an appointment reminder in the mail last year for this year. I vividly remember taking him to his visit at 3 weeks old. It was the first time I left the house with him by myself!

So three years later, I took him this morning and didn't even think about what it would entail. Well, it entailed an echo and an ECG! Omg, I about died! A 3 year old sitting for this? He did ok with the echo. He wasn't happy about taking his shirt off. Never is. They distracted him with a movie, but he didn't like the gel on his belly. That one was the hardest. They did the best they could. Then, we did the ECG which was a little easier because it was faster. I still had to hold him down, but it was only for a few minutes. Our appt was at 8:45, and we didn't leave till 10:30. Insane.

Anyway, the cardiologist said from what they can tell from the results that the hole has not completely closed, but he's not concerned. He said for him to go about his normal life and maybe check in around age 8. His heart is the right size, and it will perhaps put him for a higher risk of a stroke older in age. He suggested him not choosing scuba diving or jumping out of a plane as a hobby I laughed because I can totally see him doing it! Anyway, overall he did well. Better than I would have thought!

If you want to know more about the condition, go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/holes/holes_whatare.html
I'm just too tired to explain it myself!