Blog Upkeep

When you start a blog, you have grand plans of daily posts and lots of pictures.  Reality is that at the end of the day, you think you will just do it in the morning.  Then your pictures never leave your camera.  And if they do get downloaded to your computer, they never get printed.  It's just sad.  A blog just ends up being one of those things on your list of to-do's.  

So please be patient.  I am trying to keep up with it all, but it seems overwhelming at times.  Here comes a few new posts since we arrived in Birmingham...

SURGERY has been scheduled!

Robert's next open heart surgery is Wednesday, October 17th!  UAB called yesterday and said that it is on the books!

We will be in Birmingham on the 17th and then stay as long as it takes before discharge.  Surprisingly, if all goes well, Robert will not be in the hospital for very long.  It is amazing how fast these babies recover!

At this time, I think the surgery plan includes a partial repair and a conduit around the valve.  If you remember, the repair includes closing the VSD (hole between the bottom two chambers), removing the excess heart muscle on the bottom of the heart, and slightly moving the aorta.  Because of his coronary anomaly, they have discussed a conduit around the pulmonary valve instead of opening the valve to increase the size.  Of course, he went through this at 4 weeks old in July 2011 when we all thought he would have a complete repair...Instead, he came out with a BT Shunt and no repair.  So plans are just that...Plans!  We will see on the 17th...

Cardiology Update 09.24.12

My sweet boy went to the cardiologist today.  Robert had his normal monthly check-up with an Echo.  Here is a picture of Robert relaxing during the Echo.

[pics coming soon...]

Nothing really new it seems.  They measured the velocity of his blood flow and a few other things.  They all seem okay.  Or as okay as a child with a congenital heart defect can be I guess.

In May, we went to UAB for OHS #2.  They were going to attempt the full repair.  But in pre-op, the doctors were in disagreement if he was "ready", meaning if he was big enough.  They had originally said that he should be 9 kg (or approximately 20 pounds) before they attempted the repair.  Due to his coronary anomaly (where his coronary lies over his pulmonary valve), they wanted his heart to be the size of a large walnut - not a "small" walnut (???) - so they could make a more precise incision to increase the size of the pulmonary valve.  But the final decision at pre-op was to go to the heart cath lab and see what they could do there and also map out how his pulmonary arteries branch in his chest.  During the heart cath, they were able to balloon an area of the pulmonary valve to buy him some more time so he could get that heart large walnut sized.  They also found that his coronary artery doesn't branch like they originally thought and cutting through it would be a mistake. So afterwards, the doctor sent us home with the plan that OHS #2 would most likely occur in August as they predicted his weight would be close to 9 kg.

Fast forward to June, July, then August with no mention of surgery plans.  Robert was not reaching 9 kg (and even lost weight in June/July due to illness).  And at this week's cardiology appointment, Dr. B said she would be contacting UAB to let them know he was now 9.0 kg (exactly!).  Robert went to get his Echo and the Echo was emailed off to Dr. L in Birmingham.  Now it is just waiting to see what they say!

And life goes on...

And life goes on...

Today was a B-I-G day.  We were briefly a family of four after Robert was born.  And now we are officially a family of three once more.  

I can once again blog without someone picking apart each and every word I write.  So happy reading!  There is much more to come!

And now Gymnastics!

Emerson has been begging me to take her to "nastics class" (begging is an understatement).  That's gymnastics speak for Emerson.  When she was 10 months old, she started gymnastics at The Little Gym on the Eastern Shore.  She continued with that every Saturday morning until July 2011 with a short break during our long stay in Birmingham last June and July.  Last August, I enrolled her in ballet at Debbie's School of Dance (it's just a tad closer than Fairhope).  She LOVES it!  But its still not "nastics".  It's not that I have anything else going on in my life (wink wink...cough cough...haha). So why not???  I looked up local gyms and found one close to home.  Plus, it comes highly recommended from my next door neighbor who has both of her girls in classes there.  I called this morning and today was our trial class.  

I watched her across the gym.  It gave me my Dance Moms moment watching from afar.  It was just her and another girl that was also trying it out.  They jumped on the trampolines, hung from the bars, played in the foam pit, etc.  Emerson would be a football field away and give me a huge wave when it was her turn.  It was so cute!  I could definitely tell that she enjoyed it.

After class, the teacher walked over to let me know Emerson did great.  And that she thought that after the next 6 week session, Emerson would probably be ready for the 4 year old class.  HUH???  I then explained to the teacher that Emerson wasn't even 3 yet.  And she would be turning 3 only at the end of the 6 week session.  (We were trying out the 3 year old class plus Emerson is rather tall.)  The teacher did seem a bit surprised, but said that she could still move up if she's ready.  Wow!  I guess Emerson is going to be a little gymnast.  Well, at least for the next 6 weeks.  ;)

I hear some version of this constantly, "Oh, I miss these days.  It goes by so fast."  But all I can think usually is "I hope so!"  And then its something like today that makes me want to cry...I finally take out all the bins of too small clothes out to organize - donate, save for some lucky friends, or keep.  And as I look through all of them, I am SAD!  I miss little Emerson.  At the time, I probably thought about how big she was compared to months before.  But just looking at her little clothes from even last summer make me sad.  I have probably 10,000 pictures of that child (that estimate would seriously be on the low side most likely), but still get teary eyed when I see something super cute and little and don't know if I have a picture of her in it.  I know...She is only 2.5 years old.  I have a long way to go, but soon she will be 3 then 6 then 18 then 21...OMG!  I miss her at 2.5 already!  

On the other hand, I have Robert.  He is 9 months old.  He doesn't do anything more than a 3 month old.  He's on the small side and has only outgrown a small handful of clothes in his lifetime.  Sometimes I wonder if he will ever be bigger.  It's just this strange paradox between what I feel for Emerson and Robert.  I want her to stay little and I want him to be bigger.  I know that she will do great things in her life so I want to hold on to the now.  But Robert is just one big question mark so I want to see what he can do next.  

Why do I wish away time?  Just thinking back on the times that I have hurried Emerson to bed so I could just breathe alone or the days she has gone to MDO when she could have been with me, really weighs heavy on my heart.  Maybe its because I am about to lose my time with her.  I waited years after being married to think about kids because I wanted to ensure that it was the "right" time with the "right" person.  Well, I don't think I have to tell anyone how that didn't work out as planned.  I have a million emotions when I think about how MY time with Emerson is being taken away because of someone else's poor morals.  I hope that one day she will be able to understand that I am doing all I can for her, but unfortunately, am held ultimately the court's decision.  

My sweet girl, Emerson Grace...(one of my favorite pictures of her taken the night she was born!)

Cardiology Update 03.30.2012

We went to the cardiologist this morning (Dr. Batten)! As much as I worry about R's little heart every.single.minute.of.every.day. it seems weird to me that we had not been to the cardiologist in over 2 months. But his BT Shunt is supposed to be so "large" that it will take him to 20 pounds easily. Nonetheless, I can't believe that we went 2 months without a check up! Here's a phone pic I took of my sweet boy while waiting for the doctor to come in:

Basically, if you don't remember from 8 months ago when the shunt was put in, the BT Shunt is usually only to last around 6 months...just enough time for the baby to put on some more weight or overcome any other health problems it might be facing. But in R's case, he has a coronary abnormality that means he needs to be big...his heart needs to be big...so the surgeons can *try* to cut around the coronary (that, of course, is in the wrong place or as Dr. Dabal put it...the worst place possible).

So the result of the appointment was Robert isn't any better or worse, nothing has changed and we wait until at least 20 pounds (5 more pounds to go!). It's good to hear, yet so frustrating!

I know most people just don't understand. I know they try. But I don't let him out of my sight. He still sleeps in my bedroom within arms reach (a myriad of reasons...heart issues being one...feeding pump being two...), he still sits in a bouncy seat in the bathroom when I need to shower, and I still tote him from room to room in my arms all the time. Robert has seats and places to sleep in almost every room in my home. What I think is most misunderstood about my life with Robert is that he is doing really well considering (you know, besides the heart defect, GI issues, feeding tube/pump, immune deficiencies, severe sweating, constipation, developmental delays, etc.), BUT I am the one that keeps him day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute. I see his ups and downs, his struggles, and his accomplishments no matter how small. I know exactly what is "normal" and sometimes its what no one else sees that is truly a concern or signs of distress. It's just hard to explain. But those that have been there probably can sympathize.

It is so different from my very independent Emerson. As they were both born in June, it is very easy for me to remember what she did her very first Christmas, Easter, etc. At this time, 2 years ago, Emerson was walking! I know she walked early, but nonetheless, she was walking. Robert hasn't rolled over yet. I think he could do it, but at this stage, he just doesn't want to or even know he can (that's what I tell myself). But he goes to PT twice a week and I have been able to tell a big difference in his activity level. Here's to rolling over within the week! He's oh so close!!!

Picture Day

My little Robert was SO CUTE today! I take a million pictures of him all the time, but he is always in a soft long-sleeved onesie it seems (it covers his g-button the best). We don't usually go anywhere (you know, germs and such...), but every once in a while, I get the urge to dress him up and take a few pictures. He sure is a cutie. He would be a perfect baby model because he loves to smile and turn his head for the camera. :) Look at this sweet boy! (This bubble was a gift from my dear friend, Courtney. She will be happy to know that R is finally wearing it (size 3 months...yes, he is almost 9 months old)!)

I really wish I had gotten a few pictures of Emerson today! She wore her adorable pink monogrammed top and ruffle pants. But she was too enthralled in Tangled and then it was throw it all on quick and get out the door so she could make it to Sunday School in time. That seems to be the case every.single.day.in.this.house.

I need to make myself take some new pictures of her this week! I just hope she doesn't end up being sick...She has been very whiny today and that usually means that she is on the verge of being officially sick. I foresee a doctor visit in my near future.

Today = Blah

Today has been a crazy day. I went nowhere. It was supposed to storm...or at least rain...or at least sprinkle. But it did none of the above. So I stayed home like a good heart baby mommy (yes - we still go nowhere when germs might exist). I didn't even drive to Starbucks or something of the like just to leave the house. Boring.

Emerson asked to watch Tangled twice...She's becoming quite the princess movie watching little girl. I hoped this day would come, and now that it has, I didn't quite think about how she would just want to watch the same exact princess movie over and over again. It's a really cute movie so I don't mind watching it over.and.over.again. But sometimes I would like to watch something else... anything else. Well, except for Team Umizoomi... (I am not a fan of the belly screen if you couldn't tell...)

Robert is quite the man-diva. (Is that a word? I think I just made a new word! Yea, me!) He likes to wake up slowly. By slowly, I mean, he wakes up very alert and wants the world to stop so he can "adjust" (i.e. no extra sensory activity than absolutely needed). Emerson, on the other hand, wants him to have every toy available at that moment. So she immediately goes off to round up these toys and bring them to him one by one. Sweet, I know... But really? Do we need all these (and on my bed nonetheless)?

I guess its just her thing...making a mess I mean. This is Emerson's room after her nap (see pic below). I have always kept toys out of her bedroom (it helps with sleep patterns...no distractions...). But now that she is interested in books (without my prompting), she pulls them out herself when she doesn't want to sleep (during naps and complete darkness at night). I guess I shouldn't complain...But I do get tired of stacking books by height (yes, OCD self is trying to force tendencies on 2 year old child - JUST KIDDING!). [Not really on the kidding part. I seriously wouldn't mind if she was super obsessed with keeping things in order.]

Mister Robert has been one needy baby today. He is extremely needy every single day, but today, I put him down only to change his diaper. I think I also got about 20 minutes of playing on his mat too. But I still had to be playing with him so that doesn't help me much in doing anything else. But my arms got a break at least. I do feel bad for Emerson on these days. She doesn't get much mommy time when he is like this. And it makes me feel even worse when I think back to her at this age, when I would let her cry it out (just a bit) so she didn't become so dependant on me. Unfortunately, Robert is not able to cry it out...think blue baby... His O2 sats drop into the 70s when he gets upset. Not good.

These pictures are actually from yesterday (Friday)...It makes me feel better knowing that we actually did an activity versus just doing whatever to just survive like today. She made her Granddaddy a picture. It may not look like much, BUT she used markers, glue, and scissors to create this masterpiece. Gasp! I know...Granddaddy better be proud. And it better be hanging in his office. Emerson has mentioned it about 100 times today wondering if Granddaddy found his tape yet (you know...to hang her picture).

It's almost 9pm now (exciting Saturday night, right?)...And I am blogging with a baby on my lap. He's *trying* to sleep. I say that because he sleeps a lot, but at the same time, doesn't sleep enough (at least long enough and hard enough apparently). I am beyond tired. I think doing a lot of nothing like today actually made me more tired than usual. It's times like these that I look forward to sleep.

Bedtime for Emerson is approximately 7-7:30. And it is definitely the hardest part of the day. She has always been a champ when it came to going to bed or naps. But in the past few months, it has just become a disaster unless she is beyond tired to fight about it. She sleeps well (for the most part) once she finally passes out, but its hard to get her there. I wish I was able to read her endless stories, lay down with her, etc., but I just can't do it. I have an 8 month old on a feeding pump with a heart condition usually crying in the other room. And unfortunately, when it comes to these types of things, he has priority right now. I guess this is when I would be able to tag team with that other person who should be actively involved in our home life, but that isn't an option. I keep telling myself, "this too shall pass". I sure hope so! It is heartbreaking hearing her upset at night only wanting me to stay with her. I just don't have any other option. I am not sure who actually reads any of this, but maybe someone out there can send up a little prayer for me about this. It really bothers me that I can't comfort Emerson when she is upset at bedtime.

On another note...I am trying to get back to my blog. I actually have quite a few posts that are still "drafts". I never posted them...Maybe its time to get those up so you can see what we have all been doing and, most importantly, how Robert has been progressing.

Confession Time

Confession: It is really really really hard to parent a 2 year old ALONE!

I find myself taking deep breaths and putting myself in time out almost every day. I know she is just a lovable rambunctious mini-me in training, BUT my goodness...Does she have to test my patience every single minute? In her defense, she woke up crying on Tuesday night asking to go to the doctor to "fix her ear". Yea! Double ear infection. And sinus infection with a bad cough. Double yea! So my frustration comes in that I have been without MDO for 2 days this past week. AND, for some reason, medicine seems to just be liquid sugar. Emerson doesn't act sick or sleepy for the most part (except for being grumpy).

Tonight, it was a fight just to get "the pretty dress" off so we could put pajamas on. She's asleep right now still in that pretty dress. She won. Oh well.

The part that hurts is when I can't read her all 10 bedtime books that she requests. It's beyond the fight to sleep in her pretty dress...It's when I can't read to her, sing her songs, or play the match game all because the heart baby is just having a rough night. Unfortunately, his crying and just general being upset takes precedence right now. And that often interferes with whatever it is that Emerson wants to do at that moment. It would be so much easier to hand him off to another loving parent who was capable of helping with him. Or even take turns with each child. But alas, I do it alone.every.single.day.and.every.single.night. I just wish that bedtime had not become such a problem that I collapse at the end of it and forget just how well the day actually went.

Back at home...G-Tube and all!

We are back! We were notified of discharge on Friday morning and then it was off to clean up and load the car so we could make it back to Mobile at a reasonable hour! I was able to actually sleep in a real bed on Friday night. It was more than I could ever hope for! I completely understand why a hospital can't be a 5 star hotel, but the running line seems to be that the extra "bed" for the parent/caregiver is notoriously awful...Why? Why can't they make it just a bit more comfortable? It's as hard on the caregiver to be in the hospital as it is on the patient. Oh well. There are more important things to think about anyway.

I did make it out of the hospital every day. I went "home" (i.e. the family friend's house...more to come on that in a minute) to shower each day and repack an overnight bag, plus to pick up break-lu-nner (that is the one meal that encompasses all three when you are staying in a hospital). I would pick up one decent meal from somewhere and bring it back for my mom and I to share in the hospital room. It doesn't sound all that great, but when you aren't doing much more than sitting in a small room, you don't really need that much sustenance.

We arrived home late last night (we = my mother, myself, and Bobby). Emerson was beyond excited to see us...which always makes you feel better. Love those longer than normal hugs. :) I think not long after, my dad went to pick up dinner and then my mom, Bobby, and myself fell asleep in the den. Somewhere after that, in a foggy daze, we hooked up the feeding pump and all went to bed. Sleep is important since you don't know what will ever happen next...might as well get it when you can.

Bobby always gives or brings Emerson a present when he is in the hospital. So just as any good brother would do, he brought home a present in the form of Disney's Repunzel from Tangled. Emerson loved it. And she gave Bobby a sweet kiss and thank you - unprompted I might add.

(At this stage, Emerson refuses to look at the camera/phone. Instead, she completely ignores any crazy thing you might be doing to get her to look at you. Oh well. This too shall pass.)

Today was a lazy day. By lazy I mean that we didn't go anywhere really, but it still wasn't quiet, relaxed, or even lazy. I did get to take Emerson out for a "cheese samich" at Camille's. And then we ran to Target for the essentials (i.e. Goldfish bread, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and cheese). I also found a Disney Princess Ultimate Dream Castle for 70% off in the clearance section. Talk about a score! It will be going in the attic for a future birthday or next Christmas...whenever Emerson starts playing more with Disney princess dolls or Barbies. Then it was home to nap. Well, Emerson to nap. Bobby is still very much in pain so it's just a lot of holding and trying to make comfortable. I hope he improves soon. :(

I thought about this quite a bit while I was in Birmingham (multiple reasons...but it kind of goes along with my personal life problems). I thought of how I would ever thank the friends that offered a place for me...us to stay while trying to take care of Bobby's medical needs. There really is nothing I could do that would ever tell them how grateful I am for all of this. We have several very good friends that live in the Birmingham area that have offered the extra rooms in their home. And I truly appreciate it...And may be using it sooner than they think. But, in the meantime, we haven't had to exhaust others with our trips. So, I know I tell you, but just if you read it too, THANK YOU!

G-Tube & Hospital Stay

I know I should have posted this before now, but we are currently at Children's Hospital of Alabama (Birmingham) recovering from Bobby's g-tube surgery. After a series of events that occurred during my non-posting blog period, it became apparently clear that he needed the g-tube, but to get that, he needed a new doctor. I had two people with heart kids (both around 4 years old now) suggest Dr. Steven King (Alabama Pediatric Gastroenterology). And his name was actually mentioned in August by one of the cardiologists at UAB. So, I asked for and received a referral in November from our cardiologist and received an appointment for December 7th. Dr. King was awesome and knew exactly where we needed to go from where we were at the time. The holidays put a damper on any type of procedure so we waited until after the New Year to schedule the tests and G-Tube surgery. Apparently, the scheduling worked out very quickly in our favor and I received the call only a few days before we needed to be in Birmingham.

Look at that smile! He is ready for his tests...

Getting ready for the Barium Swallow...But then put on hold and told to wait in the waiting room while he continues to digest his stomach contents.

Awwww...Look at me! I am so handsome in yellow (even if it is a hospital gown)! ;)

What?!?!?!!! I am not handsome? Nooooo, I didn't think you said that either. I will show you some leg so you know who is the cutie patootie.

Uh-oh. Do not hold him down. Bobby not likey.

This is my attempt at taking a picture of us together. There are actually very very few of me and Bobby together as it is extremely hard to take a picture of yourself. And who else am I supposed to ask...Emerson?

Awww. Just another one for good measure. And I love the smirk he gives me.

On Friday, Bobby was to report to CHOA at 9:45am for the Barium Swallow (a procedure that primarily evaluates the esophagus) and a Lower GI Tract X-ray (an x-ray examination of the large intestine/colon). Both required Bobby to drink barium...The x-rays for the Barium Swallow was performed while he actually drank it (and by drink...I mean the nurse used a bulb syringe to shoot it into his mouth while he screamed and spit as much as possible back out)...The Lower GI was done a while later after time had moved it past his stomach (a lot less traumatic).

On Monday, surgery was tentatively scheduled for 7am (although we all knew it would be later as nothing ever starts on time). So, my mother and I loaded Bobby up and headed to the hospital at 5:15am. We sat in the surgery waiting room until 7am when we finally got called back. Weight, temperature, O2 sats, respiration all taken before we were put in our temporary room. Anesthesia and various nurses came by and took medical information while providing insight into the procedure and expected recovery.

Monday morning...And here is my sweet non-g-buttoned tummy one more time. Take a good look.

Soon after, I carried him down the hall to the operating room where we gave our kisses and said our "see ya later's" (remember: no goodbyes here!) until later. We were escorted back to the same waiting room where Emerson had arrived and was already riding in a red wagon.

Thankfully, CHOA is designed for kids (obviously) and it isn't terrible to sit in a surgery waiting room with a 2 year old (much different than UAB's Cardiac waiting room). All the TVs are turned to Nick Jr. and there is even a tree house in the middle of the room to climb all over. Oh - and how would I ever forget - the red wagons that litter the hallways. Thank goodness for the wagons. :) Emerson kept us all busy as usual. (My father arrived shortly before we went back to drop off Bobby for the operation.) So, between myself, my mother, and my father, we have a team handling her. And believe me...it takes a team...and lots of various toys and activities (which we brought too).

A long while later, Dr. King appeared and gave us the news that all had gone well. His stomach is apparently more midline than normal (??? - my thoughts exactly...). And the tests done on Friday were supposed to point that out (which they apparently did), but that was not noted on the report sent to him. Either way, it wasn't a big deal and the g-tube is just fine about 1.5 inches directly above his belly button.

Bobby received a MIC-KEY tube. Specifically, he received the Low-Profile Gastrostomy Feeding Tube. There are several types of feeding tubes to choose from apparently, but this one seems to be the best, especially for him. Here is a basic picture of the MIC-KEY button/tube. The balloon is located in his stomach and is what secures the button from falling out...if the balloon deflates, the whole thing falls out. The tube plugs into the top which is the only portion I can see and when its not in use the stopper pictured is plugged in to the button.

Remember that sweet tummy from the BEFORE:

It now looks like this in the AFTER:

Bobby was in recovery longer than expected. Not sure really why, even now. But I do know that he was to be admitted for a 1 night stay. It's Thursday - And we are still here. What followed was a consistently high fever (102+), swollen feet and hands plus general puffiness all over, and obvious pain and discomfort. At first, we were told that he would stay on his IV and receive Pedialyte until 3pm at which time we would try to feed a bottle and whatever he didn't take would be given by bolus feeding.

Bolus feeding is basically when the formula is inserted into a very large syringe which is attached to the end of the g-tube allowing gravity to push the formula into the stomach. Bobby's feeding issue is not centered on the fact that he refuses a bottle (as some babies do), but is centered on that at some point during taking a bottle, he begins to actually burn more calories than he is consuming, therefore, eating becomes less beneficial - even contradictory than intended. (i.e. His poor little heart works so hard just to eat it is, as the doctors keep saying, like running a marathon when everyone else is standing still.) So, as important as it is that he does not actually forget how to eat (Yes, forget! Who knew you could actually forget how to eat? Obviously, not my personal problem.), it is also important that he actually be on the positive side of calories too. He will still be given bottles, but at some point, he will receive the remainder of his feeding by tube. And in the evening, he will be put on enteral feeding which is where he will be fed continuously by feeding pump all night while he sleeps. Since he will not have to "work" for these calories, this is where we hope he will begin to put on weight and start making his way out of the "failure to thrive" category.

After the bottle (offered 4 oz, took 3 oz. by mouth), the remaining 1 oz. was given by bolus. Not much later, I felt a little wet spot on my stomach. I pulled Bobby away to find that his gauze was soaked and his stomach was leaking onto my shirt. The g-button was fine, but his stomach contents were leaking out of his incision. The nurse checked him (nothing seemed overly wrong, but she did let the doctor know). We were told that "oozing" was normal as they had just pierced his stomach to put in a large tube. Seems reasonable. I switch off holding him with my mother. A little while later, she feels the wet sensation to pull him back and find she is wet, the blanket he was wrapped in is soaked, and he is really "oozing" now. I would have thought that his whole bottle had now leaked out, but he continues to "ooze" for a few more hours which ends up with large absorbent pads and an ace bandage being wrapped around his middle section. All further feeding is stopped until the incision can heal more (as it cannot heal if liquid is constantly coming out of it). Over the next 2 days, the bandages get changed out and the leaking basically stops. He has stayed on constant fluids by IV. All meds were transferred to IV as well (in order to prevent them from oozing out of his tummy and not really knowing how much he was absorbing).

You know it's a children's hospital when the first visitors are a bunch of clowns. Literally, clowns. :)

We are trying a bottle this morning. First feeding since the "oozing" incident. You would think Bobby would be inconsolable with hunger, but no...He seems pretty content not eating. Hopefully, this will jumpstart his feeling the need to eat (as he has always been a poor eater and never shown the type of "immediate need" for food like Emerson did).

His weight is just one stepping stone...a BIG stepping stone...that we need to cross to get to his next heart surgery.

I have some more pictures to come when I upload from my real camera (not just my phone). :) Check back soon. I promise...I am back!