Miracle Baby Strikes again:)

God never ceases to amaze me. I mean, I am amazed at what he does on a daily basis, but sometimes, he goes above and beyond anything I can imagine. Today was Joshua's follow-up cardio appointment. We are fortunate that Fresno Children's has a clinic at the hospital locally (same hospital the NICU is in, Sierra Vista) every 6 mos. We didn't have to make the big trek to Fresno, just down the grade.

Short synopsis of events at the end... fast forward if you feel:)

REVIEW...
We knew he had a few oddities in his heart: a VSD (a hole), a PDA (a part that should have closed at birth that hadn't yet), and a bicuspid valve (should have 3 flaps, but in Joshua, 2 flaps are fused together.). The VSD and PDA could need surgery down the line, but for now, they just needed to be followed. I had zero anxiety as I knew he was doing fine b/c he was gaining weight (heart prob kids normally have a hard time gaining b/c their hearts have to work harder to get blood where it needs to be, therefore burning more calories, therefore have trouble gaining weight) and he had good coloring (not blue). The doc we were seeing we had never actually met b/c his echos had all been here and the results sent to him via email/digital and then he talks to the main doc relaying whatever message/diagnosis to us.

The last echo J had was Sept. 1. At that time it was ordered by oncology b/c of the liver issue.

BACK TO TODAY...

Doc walks in and is very nice, relaxed (always a plus) and knew our fave NICU doc well. He listens to J's heart for about 3 minutes. J, being the chill little patient he is just layed there playing with the docs watch (closest thing to his little hands). When he was done listening, he said, "Well it sounds like it's pretty much closed up. "I asked, what the PDA or the VSD?" He said, "His PDA is still open?? I didn't hear it. Who told you it was open?" Me, "The oncology nurse did when she told us the results of the last echo." Doc, "Well, I don't remember seeing that on the report." We go onto talk about the bicuspid valve. I wanted to know what follow up we needed to do for that. He explained nothing, that bicuspid valves age faster then normal, so eventually (like in his 50's) he would need it replaced. He also explained how his heart worked a bit diff b/c the opening ends up smaller with bicuspid valves, but assured us his was doing a great job overcoming it b/c the flow sounded good. (I am amazed what they know by just listening!) He also explained that he thinks the VSD is almost closed, but wants to make sure it is closing the right way. Then he went off to look up the previous echo report to double check the PDA situation. He comes back in and says "What are you guys smokin'? Who told you that was open?" I explained it had been the oncology nurse person that called us with those reports. He said, "Well, it is CLOSED. And the VSD is closing the RIGHT WAY. AND (as if that wasn't great enough) the bicuspid valve is TRICUSPID LIKE IT SHOULD BE." I almost cried right there. Not that it was a life threatening issue, but that the only way that could happen is by GOD HEALING HIM. The fusion of flaps can't just undo itself. The previous 3+ echoes this kid has had showed bicuspid. It's not like one fluke echo showed it, but not others. It was there. And now its NOT. PRAISE TO THE LORD!

SYNOPSIS:

Appt was great... VSD is closing the RIGHT way, PDA is CLOSED, Bicuspid valve is tricuspid now... corrected by the Lord! Another follow-up in 6 mos to make sure the VSD is all the way closed and then J's heart will have a clean bill of health.

The heart that "didn't bode well for survival" in prenatal ultrasound is perfect :)

Joshua 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Thank you Lord for being with us always during this long, long road.

Thank you friends and family for your continued prayers and support. It means so much!