Asher HLHS Update–15 months

This month, Asher had an appointment with both his pediatric cardiologist and with his pediatrician.  He was a little scared when he met with both doctors, but he calmed down quickly.  He had an echo with his cardiologist, and although he had to sit still for about twenty minutes while they took essentially an ultrasound of his heart, he was so good!  He sat on my lap on the exam table, and he watched the Baby Einsteins video they put on for him.  His heart function and pulse ox numbers still looked good, with his oxygen sats at 80.  Our next appointment will be in four months, and we are looking at most likely a cath lab procedure in a year or so to check his heart function more accurately, and then his Fontan surgery in two years.  At the pediatrician, he weighed 22 lbs, and was in the 25th percentile for his age, which is where he has stayed through most of the last year.  The doctor said we need to make sure he maintains the 25th percentile since he burns more calories than most kids with his heart.  If he starts to drop, we will add some pediasure or other high calorie drink to his diet, but for now, he is doing great.

His development is up to where an average 15 month would be, so there are no concerns there for now!  He is walking, talking, sleeping, and eating like he should be.  He loves to point things out, and has new words all the time.  Some of his favorites are bird, ball, dadoo (daddy), mama, ah-oooh (uh-oh), dodee (doggy), quack, meow, nana (banana – used for most foods), shzzz (shoes), and da-dee (baby).  He also lately likes to point his first forward at his brothers and make a cheesy grin.  He is such a fun boy and so full of life.