Thu 28 Feb 2008
Cath Scheduled
Posted by Jane under Updates
[23] Comments
Ramona’s heart cath has been scheduled for April 25th. I will meet with the cath lab surgeon a couple of days before to get an idea of their plan but here’s my understanding:
They will look at the size of her branching pulmonary arteries and any collaterals. They will measure her heart pressures. They will also do an echo while she is sedated. If there is an opportunity to give her any improvement in her heart function, dilating anything or coiling off anything, they will do it at that time. If they need any more info they will order a CT, but that would have to be done on a different day under another round of anesthesia.
She’s got just two more weeks with the helmet. It’s weird but I’ve gotten so used to it I think I’m going to miss it! And I also have no idea what I’m going to do with all that hair of hers. She’s tolerating the orthotics on her feet well. She seems to feel much more supported and has even taken a step or two.
Simon is getting another cold. This is their third set of colds since the New Year and I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before Ramona (and Andy and I) pick it up too. We just can’t wait for spring to come so we can get out there and away from all these yucky winter germs.
I’ve been doing well. Making some time for myself. Taking naps. Tomorrow I’ll be going over to the Sweden Shop to give the owner a hand with some of her merchandising. I’m excited, I haven’t done anything creative for a while and really enjoy that kind of work. I’ve also been getting my nails done, which is a super-nice girly treat for me. Yesterday I got the color “High Maintenance”. It’s light pink. I think my next job should be naming nail polishes. But no “Daring Diva” or “Red Hot Mama”. I think I would come up with names to fit a busy moms active lifestyle. Like how about, “Elastic Waist Pants” or “Haven’t Showered”?
Feel free to add your favorites. Also, check out my friend Karen’s blog for an interesting challenge on writing a six word memoir. I’d love to hear yours! Here’s the big girl, looking very very pleased with herself.
She looks so adorable! I’m so glad to hear you’re taking time for yourself. You deserve every minute!!! I can’t tell you how very cute I think your little girl is and I’m constantly showing her off to DH when you update.
She has such wise eyes…happy and way cute but there resides a lot of wisdom in this happy cutie…can’t wait til she speaks it. Love you guys…always.
ang
I just want to mention that not only do I find all Deitrichs (that I know) to be adorable I also LOVE The Sweden Shop.
“Found true happiness with my family”
“Late for Swimming Lessons”
:0)
Feeling Enchilada
Heart cath scheduled. Are you nervous, or excited to see how much her BPAs have grown? I know for me it’s usually a mix of both with the anxiety winning as we get closer. I can’t believe you’re almost done with the helmet already! It will be fun to play with girly hair dos once it’s gone. Sorry to hear Simon is sick again, Drew’s got something too. I can’t wait for this winter to be over either! Here’s my submissions for nail polish names: “almost on time” “out of wipes” “where’s the potty?” (get it, like party!) “can’t wait for bed time!” (this one could have two meanings-til the kids are in bed, or til we collapse in exhaustion in our own beds)
Oh yeah, I forgot mine. It was “Love and loss have softened me”.
“need a nap”
“a little more gray”
“Practicing patience”
Oh that is just me today.
Thanks for the update. we hope to see you all before that in April. she is so pretty and looks so much like her Mommy.
“Where’s the binki (bight red)”
Adorable picture. What a beauty! Great news on the steps. Mona is such a hard little worker. This kid is amazing.
So glad to hear that your getting your creative feelers out again. I’m sure you’re glad to now have these kinds of days. What a blessing!
Give little Simon a hug and kiss from us. Sorry he’s not feeling well.
We’ll be praying for all of you as April 25th approaches.
“sticky kisses”
“sticky hands”
“yes, I brushed my teeth”
“No shower day”
I think Ramona Mae and Simon game me their colds! But that’s okay…it was worth it to be able to cuddle with Ramona and read to her. She’s such a sweetie. I can’t believe she’s done with the helmet already. That seemed to go fast…
Thanks for mentioning my blog:)!
What a cute picture! I can’t believe she’s almost done with her helpmet too.
Love, Val
“clothed in His glory”
“may I be worthy”
Ramona Mae – someday I will tell you that I hope to have the strength of heart you poseess.
With love,
Jackie
Hey Jane
I am hopeful that the cath will lead to an improvement in Ramona’s circulation and heart function. I am imagining those arteries growing and know you are praying for things to be better in some tangible way.
Anyway, I always read your blog but I have been so overwhelmed with daily life that I have been slack in commenting. Count me as part of that silent audience even when I vanish verbally.
Wren is doing better with weight gain I think but we will know in a few weeks at his next scheduled pediatrician visit. Thanks for your suggestions. We are keeping him sitting in his chair MUCh longer and its doing a great deal of good for the amount he eats.
I hope you are not sick with Simon’s latest cold. If you are, I always think of my immune system getting cleverer and cleverer and storing more and more data for some awful future cold I will avoid.
Shannon
Dear Jane:
I’ve marked April 25 on my calendar 😉
Enjoy your “Recharge/Renew/Nurture/Indulge Jane” weekend (hopefully the rest of the family gets through it cold-free), keep smiling and God bless!
Dear Ones,
Thank you for the wonderful picture of Ramona. I love her smile & dark eyes!
Thanks also for the update on her cath, scheduled for April 25th. I’ll remember all of you in my prayers & expect the very best results for Mona & for you.
A six word memoir? Well, what I aspire to is “It is well with my soul”, the title of a wonderful hymn written in 1873 by Horatio G. Spafford & based on Psalm 146:1.
Nail polish? How about a frog-green color called “Moving Right Along”(thanks, Kermit!)?
GET WELL, Simon! Love to all:)
avery’s ideas:
Elmo Rocks the House (Primary Red)
Elmo Loves His Dorothy (Red-Orange)
Elmo&Zoe BFFs (Red-Orange with Tinge of Pink)
and (inspired by yesterday’s rainy day activities)…
Puddle Jumpin’ Joy (watery muddy color affixed to underside of nails)
peaces and xoxo. thanks for the updates – sending positive thoughts to the family…..sep
“Wanna wear pjs to work”
=I’m glad you have a date set for the cath. For me, it’s always good to have some sort of timeline in my head about when things are happening. We’ll pray for the best results possible!
The photo is wonderful. Look at all of that hair!
Jane,
Ramona looks simply gorgeous in this picture! I can’t believe how much older she looks, in a good way of course. Can I have dibs on that cute shirt??
I’m still trying to think of nail polish names but my brain literally does not work right now. I did come up with “voluptuous varicose”, in purple of course.
Love you, and love your memoir.
Bekah
Ramona look so, so good and I will keep her in my prayers.
Please tell Patty Rasmussen that we know each other next time you are at Sweden Shop. We used to be neighbors!
If you are still going to the same nail salon, and if you like dark colors, try “Oh To Be 25 Again”. It’s my favorite OPI color and it looks very different on than it does in the bottle. I feel very hip and sexy (ha!) when I have it on.
Running Circles Everyday, Tired all the time!
Love my kids, need a vacation
Win lottery need maid, nanny, chauffeur
Jane,
Thanks SO much for checking on our little Isaac. Ramona is adorable (and so is Simon!)…how lucky you are!
I’ll spend the next few days reading your past posts…but, I look forward to getting to know you and your family.
(and you’re right…Ramona and Isaac’s defects are SO similar)…what drama queens (kings) they are!
Kathy Roller
http://rollersinvegas.blogspot.com