A True Did-Nothing Weekend

This weekend, we did NOTHING.  I did have a good photo session with Sam, though.  Enjoy.  Sam's recently learned trick list: giving kisses, petting Relo and saying 'niiiiiiiiice' (of course it sounds more like 'daaaaaaa'), pulling up on EVERYTHING without thinking about how to get back down, and climbing the first step on our stairwell.

Also, say some prayers for Sam's little friend Amelia, who after being born premature last APRIL, will HOPEFULLY be going home for the first time this Wednesday.  Please say some prayers for our dear heart friend, Emery, who will likely be placed on the transplant list this week.

~Kathy

BUSY BUSY BUSY

I haven't updated in FOREVER...we've been quite busy.  Let's start from the top...

I had my last 'full time' day at my old job last week.  In a way it was sad...these people (who didn't really know me at the time) were there for me during my pregnancy and during Sam's struggles.  Not once did anyone question my need to go to appointment after appointment, or take random days off (and weeks off) to take care of Sam.  Everytime something came up with him, my co-workers quickly stepped in and picked up my slack.  On top of that, they made themselves available to be a moral support crew.  For all of this, I can never thank them enough.

After my last day, Chris, Sam, and I drove to Mobile for Mardi Gras.  Sam took the ride like a champ, and although he didn't make it to any parades because it was so cold, he did see his third snow storm!  Chris and I went to the Striper's and Crewe of Columbus balls and saw many many friends and family.  Sam got to hang out with both sides of the fam, and got to meet his future BFFs (my friend Catherine's kids).  Naturally Sam got a cold just before our trip.  While we were in Mobile, he started running a LOW temp, but since he NEVER runs a temp, we took him to an urgent care clinic.  OF COURSE he ends up with a double ear infection!  How do we go a full YEAR without an ear infection and then get two back to back?!  He (once again) didn't show us any signs with the exception of the fever...no pulling ears or grouchyness or anything!  All is well though, and his antibiotic is working fine.  All in all, a good weekend.

I started my two new jobs...one at the pediatric therapy clinic (The Speech Path) and one (just a PRN job) at Regency Hospital (a long term acute care facility).  I LOOOOOOVE my new peds job.  You just can't beat getting to play with cute kids all day.  It will be tough for a while, since outpatient is very different than what I have been used to.  But I expect that to smooth over quickly, and I already know I am going to love every second of it.

All my other CHD friends have made mention to this, so I feel compelled to spread the word:  Snowboarder Shaun White, who just won gold for the second time in the Halfpipe in the Winter Olympics, is a CHD survivor.  He was born with Tetrology of Fallot, and had two open heart surgeries before the age of one.  It's hard to explain, but all these many types of CHDs tend to blend into each other as far as their characteristics are concerned.  Sam has not been diagnosed with Tet, but he has pieces of this CHD.  In fact, it was a piece of this CHD that went undetected, and nearly killed him one year ago next month.  I can't tell you how uplifting it is to hear about the success of people like Shaun White.  To be told at one point that Sam wouldn't live past the age of three, and then to be able to dream that he can do ANYTHING (even win Gold in the olympics) is so comforting.  I don't expect Sam to be some type of fantastic athlete or anything (he DEFINITLY didn't get the genetics for that one), but to live a life with less of a burden related to his CHD would be such a blessing. 

On a totally unrelated note, Chris and I have signed up for a half marathon in April (Country Music Half in Nashville).  We're super excited.  We're also taking offers for someone to babysit Sam for that weekend!

~Kathy

14 Month Birthday

PHOTOS: Sam on his 'birthday'...reclined on our king size, watching tv with remote in hand, cheetoes at his side, complete with shoes on the bed...

Sam's 14 month birthday was today. He's such a big boy. Sometimes it is hard to believe he has a life threatening condition; and at the same time it's hard to forget it. We have truly learned to live for 'today' but worries about the future are ever present. I got a great email today from a stranger that helped me. I am going to post it hoping that it helps my heart friends, as well as our own friends and family, gain some perspective on what Sam's future could be like. I hope Elaine doesn't mind!

"Good Evening: Just read your story about your little boy and I also have a child born with Tricuspid Atresia as well as Transposition of the Great Arteries. My son is now 17 1/2 years old and life is pretty good. He has had three surgeries, being the PA Banding, Glenn, and the Fontan. He is almost 6 feet tall and lives a normal life. He is graduating this year from grade 12 and even has a girlfriend. I remember when he was small I often wondered what his life would be like. He is an awesome skier and does sports moderately. Just thought I would drop you a note and let you know these kids live great lives."

~Elaine P. Saskatchewan, Canada

THANK YOU Elaine! Every 'success' story I hear gives me hope for Sam and these other sweet babies! Happy 14 month birthday sweet baby Sam!! Can't wait to share your successes with the world!

~Kathy

This is Sam's "DON'T TICKLE ME...ok please tickle me" face!

New Tricks and a New Job

PHOTO: This is from today, outside of Publix. He was mad because he wanted the cart to keep moving...he's a sensory seeking kid...

Sam has added to his trick list. He has pulled all the way up to stand! I actually found him sitting up in his crib the other day (a real first)...of course, to make it a little extra special, he had somehow worked one arm out of his sleeve and through his neck hole. He can point out where our noses are. He doesn't know where his nose is, though. He can open and close doors and drawers with minimal finger pinching (so far). He climbs over everything, and seems pretty happy kneeling at toys to play. He has finally started to take reciprocal steps when supported under the arms...one step closer to walking!



Today, though, we had a mishap with one of our new tricks. He was reaching to pull up on my night stand, where my large, heavy digital SLR camera happened to be sitting. He caught the strap and pulled the camera right onto his head. Poor baby got a goose egg right away on his forehead. I just KNEW he was going to have a 5inch bruise because of his dang aspirin. Luckily the only damage was a quarter size purple forehead knot...and lil' Sammer's pride.

I had my orientation at my new job today! I have a REALLY big office, my own desk, and my own computer (all are MAJOR upgrades from my current job). They are getting in all the new pediatric PT equipment this week. I'll be unloading and organizing it all on my first day, February 15! Check out their web site and my staff member biography: http://www.thespeechpath.com/

~Kathy

PHOTO: Chris and Sam at 6:30am. Good Morning, Mommy!

The First Do-Nothing Weekend in a While

(Video is from my aunt's house in Cypress, CA on Christmas day)

This was our first nothing to do weekend in over a month. It was great. We took turns sleeping in and watching Sam (who woke up at 5ish both Saturday and Sunday). We drove up to Forsyth and went to a great independently owned pizza parlor and bakery called Jonah's. The pizza was great, the service was great, and the owner was super nice and gave us two fresh baked loaves of bread for free! We did a little shopping and a lot of hanging out...all in all a good weekend.

Sam has some new tricks. He says "thank you"...of course, it sounds nothing like thank you, more like 'ta ta' but we know what he means. He also said "dog" this weekend when we were playing with Relo. He stands a little better now, but I stay pretty close because he has no idea how to catch himself if he falls. He pulls up to a full kneel but doesn't pull to stand yet. He FINALLY is able to sit from a supine position, but doesn't do it often. He is really ready to walk but not physically ready. I wish he would hurry up and do it though, because he gets frustrated when he can't do what he wants to do.

Say some prayers for Sam's little buddies: Logan is home after his heart surgery and so far so good, with just a touch of pleural effusion. Jordan came home from heart surgery but had to go back after they discovered an infection in her incision that has become systemic. Derrick had a complication related to fluid drainage from his chest tubes, which means increased time with the chest tubes (which is supposed to be the most painful part of these heart surgeries). He's a trooper though, and so far is responding well to treatment. Natalie (who had the surgery that is next on Sam's list) has had a fantastic recovery, and is home and healing well...it is amazing what these heart kids can bounce back from. Sam's premie buddy, Amelia, had a GI surgery this past Friday. This little warrior has been in the NICU for 9 months and this is her third procedure. Please pray this is the fix that brings her home!

Upcoming events for the Wimberly Fam:
Mardi Gras Balls in Mobile (Feb 11-12)
New Job for Kathy (Feb 15)
Pedi Appt for Sam (Feb 19)

~Kathy

Birthdays and Tummy Bugs

This week was mine and Chris's birthdays (not sure on how to make that grammatically correct...). Mine was Thursday. Chris surprised me with a cake. Since my Christmas present was big (a NICE Trek mountain bike), and was supposed to count for my bday too, his present for me on my birthday was to listen out for Sam while I took a super nice bubble bath. It was fantastic. I also got too pick dinner...5Guys Burgers and Fries. It, too, was fantastic.

Friday was Chris's birthday. It was destined to be a bad day. I woke up nauseous, but tried to go to work anyway. I lasted about 20 minutes at work before I realized it wasn't going to happen. By the time I got home I was hurling. I spent the entire rest of the day between the bathroom and the bed. By night I was feeling a little better, and wanted to make Chris's birthday nice. We attempted to go out to eat for something 'light'. We went to a Thai place called Lemongrass. I just ordered rice. But it didn't matter, Sam was a total butt and we had to get them to pack up dinner to take it home. I felt kinda bad for Chris, but we decided to get him nice Trek mountain bike for his birthday (which we picked up on Saturday) so I hope that made up for the bad day.

I felt much better on Saturday, but I guess my blood sugar/pressure was all out of whack because I nearly passed out Saturday morning. The rest of the weekend was quiet. We took Sam out for a ride on our new bikes and in his new bike trailer. We got him an adorable helmet, too. He liked the ride, but not the helmet.

Today, however, the tummy bug returned with a vengeance...this time for Chris. We were half way to church when we had to turn around. I had almost convinced myself I just had food poison, and not a bug. Alas, the bug has hit, and I am now super nervous Sam will be next. I'm saying a prayer it skips him. Of course, for all I know he gave it to us...he has a history of not seeming sick when he really is...

On another note, all our heart buddies are kicking butt in their recoveries from surgeries (weird how a whole group of them all had surgery at the same time for different reasons)! Little man "D" has his surgery tomorrow, so pray for a successful operation and recovery for him, as well as continued successful recoveries for Logan, Jordan, and Natalie.

~Kathy

Cardiology Appointment

Sam had his every-3-month cardiology visit today. Usually, we check in, hang out in the wait room for about 10 min, and then the fun starts. Two nurses do a tag team job of measuring height, weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and perform an EKG, all within literally 5 minutes. It's amazing. Then we head to another room for a 5 min wait before we get to see Dr. Cardis.

USUALLY Sam likes the 5 min tag team nurses. He's a big flirt, and they love to give him an audience. He's really never pitched a fit in any doctors office. TODAY, however, he threw a true tantrum during the tag team portion of the visit, and he never calmed down. Dr. Cardis was trying so hard to listen to his heart while Sam was screaming his head off. The only time he stopped screaming (and I do mean screaming) was when Dr. Cardis was leaving the room...Sam suddenly stopped screaming, raised a waving hand and said "bye bye".

No bad news today. His oxygen saturation was a little below our usual (around 83% when they usually run 87%). We also mentioned that Sam seemed to have a few more blue spells than usual. Dr. Cardis offered the idea that Sam may have built up some extra red blood cells during our time in the higher altitudes in Cali. In a normal person, this would help you oxygenate yourself in the lower oxygen altitudes. In Sam, who doesn't have the capacity to oxygenate anymore red blood cells than he already has, he just ends up with increased 'blue' blood verses 'red' blood. He thinks it will all work itself out in a few months. We'll see. Sam is acting just fine, eating just fine, sleeping just fine...no outward signs of any problems. We go back for an echo in three months, and maybe a full panel blood test just to check on internal function of other organs. For now, all's well!

Lot's of things to be thankful for today, both in our immediate family, our heart family, and in our circle of friends!

~Kathy