I [heart] Lauren

Our annual visit to the pediatric cardiologist was this morning. In true Lauren fashion, things are different but not really.

Dr. T-G asked about any  major medical changes in the last year which I took as an opportunity to ask about the ASD (hole in the wall between Lauren's atriums) that the anesthesiologist noted and dealt with during Lauren's eye surgery in October (see Surgery Day). The doctor refreshed her memory and I gave her a copy of the anesthesiologist's report. She explained that this sort of ASD is seen in 25% of the population and so is rarely mentioned. This is okay with me. She explained it and I`m content with the answer.

During the ECG (echocardiogram) Lauren was amazing. She stayed still the whole time. Imagine. A 3 year old, in an unfamiliar environment with a woman she might barely recognize from one year ago, and that woman rolling and prodding your chest... and she didn't move, didn't talk, didn't fuss.

Unreal.

Dr. T-G paid special attention to the atrial septal wall to see if the defect was indeed there and/or if it had changed. She actually took the time to show me where it is in the images. I appreciate that very much.

She went on to explain that if the ASD was all we were seeing her for, we would have been discharged long ago. But because of Lauren's Noonan Syndrome diagnosis, she tracks Lauren because of the potential for ...
At this point Dr. T-G started to explain the thickening of the muscles. I interrupted with "HCM" and she looked relieved. At this point our conversation became a little more technical and again, I appreciated it. I don't need things sugar coated and I follow medical conversation fairly well.

Overall, for Lauren, some of her heart walls are thicker than they should be for her age - most specifically her left ventricle. Dr. T-G was quick to state that it wasn't enough to declare it the start of HCM but, when prompted (for can you tell if the thickening is different than HCM) did confess that we can't know without a muscle biopsy. As it was a scientific question for me, not a parental one, I didn't pursue it further.

The doctor was concerned about Lauren's elevated heart rate throughout the entire appointment but since we have a clean 24 record from when she was 6 months old, we'll leave it for now and do a new 24 hour assessment next year.

The last unique thing about Miss Lauren is that the left ventricle - the one that's thicker - is also hyper-contractile. It compresses more than it should to the point of nearly collapsing the cavity completely. The doctor couldn't tell me what it means or what the long term prognosis would be but again, I appreciate her candor. Something else for us to watch over time.

The interesting thing for me is that generally, if the wall thickens, the heart has a harder time compressing and pumping but here Lauren's is pumping more vigorously. But then I'm not the cardiologist. While watching the ECG I was reminded over and over how skilled this doctor must be to discern minute differences - millimeters really - between what's normal and what's not.

The rest of the day was pretty normal though Roman came home from school extra tired and overly sensitive. He had a meltdown just before supper which lead to a conversation about why Lauren had stickers and he didn't. Next was a conversation about what makes Lauren's heart different from "everyone else's".

This lead to me drawing a picture of a heart and showing where the differences in Lauren's are:

The thin and thick lines are to show the thicknesses of heart walls - thin for us, thick for Lauren. The tool hooked to the computer was me explaining how Lauren had to lie still for 15 minutes ("almost as long as one of your Wii chips") while the doctor used the roller tool to take pictures of her heart.

While I explained this to Roman, Lauren drew this:

Add this to Lauren checking everyone's hearts - front and back - with her stethoscope and perhaps she'll be the first certified jockey cardiologist.

The most amazing dental patient ever

That would be Lauren. At her cleaning appointment before March Break, the dentist found Lauren's upper molars had very deep grooves that were starting to show signs of decay.

Given she'll likely have her teeth longer than most kids, we needed to fill them.

Yep. My three year old now has fillings.

She was amazing. She lay in the chair, opened as wide as she could and let Dr. Dave clean, fill and set the cement. Tooth number two was a little trickier as she knew what to expect. Everything went well until the assistant poofed her tooth to dry it and sent a poof of air down her throat as well. Even amidst the howling they were able to set the second filling.

Both assistant and dentist were amazed at how well she did to sit and let them finish the job even with big instruments and fingers poking around her mouth.

Not that we want to always go through this sort of thing but I like the feeling of still being amazed by my little girl's fortitude.

March Break Vacation Photos

March Break was spent at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville. The kids had a great time though we all came home a bit short on sleep. Roman`s cast was off - Hooray! - and we had a green light from the orthopedic specialist to do whatever Roman felt up to doing.

This included tubing:

Kids 'n' Ponies: Roman learned about "Ponies" (they were actually miniature horses which he is sure to clarify often) what they eat, how to brush them, the equipment for riding... and then a ride on Betty:

Lauren had Kids 'n' Critters and also got to ride on Homer. By the end she was leaning forward with her heals up just like a jockey... hmmm... visions of our future?

Next favourite was the Bouncy Castle:

And eating in restaurants:

Lastly, time snuggled in our suite:

It's off!

We're free! The cast is gone!

The doctor said "he'll be walking again just fine in a week or two". Apparently this particular doctor hasn't applied the proper motivator *cough: bribe!* with his other patients.

Right away Roman became quite dependent, "I can't do it Mama" "It hurts Mama" "No I can't wear my boot Mama."  "You do it for me Mama"

"Argh!" says Mama.

We went to the chiropractor and I planted his foot for him reminding that it was okay to put his foot flat on the floor and put weight on it. I knew his calf and ankle muscles would be weak but I also knew he would milk it for all he could.

Next was a stop at the local "Buy More" for Lauren to spend her birthday money on a March Break treat. We were also planning to hit a nearby Lego store (an actual Lego store - all Lego, only Lego) so Roman could spend the allowance he'd been saving for a "Police Mobile Unit or maybe the airplane..."  Both were in the store. Same price as the Lego store but without the 30 minute drive. SCORE! Roman made his pick and still had a bit of allowance to save for next set. He was suitably excited about both.

Lauren, meanwhile, chose some Lightning McQueen cars and has been happily driving them ever since.

It was after the spending spree that I decided bribery may be the best way to approach our mobility dilemma. "Roman... when you can walk all by your self again, I'll put more money in your saving jar..."

Next thing you know, that foot is planted and he's off. First it's just a bit in the library. Then it's all through the house. Then he's peeing by himself (and the angels sang!!!) and into bed without a fuss.

I'm going to have to part with my five bucks a lot sooner than I expected. Not having to carry him or find room for the stroller in the car though is worth far more than five bucks!

So, cast off? Check.
Legos purchased? Check.
Vacation swim plans saved? Check.

Five bucks poorer? Check check check. (okay. that would be $15...)

Bribery firmly planted as motivational technique in this house? Check... or is that cheque?

First Trip to the Dentist

Lauren had her first official trip to the dentist today. Her teeth have already been checked a couple times - just a cursory look by the hygenist - as many parents of kids with Noonan Syndrome have lamented about their little one's enamel issues. With these previous checks, we've been told "things look good". "It's all fine."

But as with all things Lauren, it is and it isn't.

For the most part, all is as expected. There wasn't a lot to be cleaned which was great but there are some areas of concern where cavities have started.

Her top back molars both have very deep groves where some decay has begun and between some of her front teeth because they overlap a bit. Her teeth are too tight together to clean effectively so problems are starting. In a crazy way, this makes me feel better because it isn't completely lack of effective brushing that's responsible.

We can fill the molars and have two appointments booked already. The front teeth we'll leave because fillings there just don't stay in place. Given these are the first teeth to go anyways, the dentist isn't too concerned. His words were that at the worst, they'd come out a bit early.

Now, for my little NS kid, a 'bit early' could be a 'lot early' but who knows. For now though, we'll try to add flossing to our daily schedule.

For the record, Lauren was AMAZING. She sat still, let Leslie poke, scrape and polish and let Dr. Dave poke and count.

Roman was in the chair with her watching TV and helping show 'how it's done'.

So, not all good but good enough for today.