We met with Jereth's cardiologist, Dr. Eloisa Walker, in Boise today. She is quite pleased with his progress. He is looking healthier and gaining weight. His incision has healed very nicely although the chest bone is healing with an upward ridge (she had a special medical name for it, but I can't remember what is was) that is not uncommon and should not cause problems.
Today's echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) shows that the surgery was successful and his blood is now flowing the way it is supposed to almost perfectly. Because of the size of the hole between his lower heart chambers the doctor had to put a stitch into his mitral valve. That valve has a little bit of leakage which is normal and will only be a concern if the leakage becomes significant in the future. He has very little excess fluid around his heart which is another indicator that he is healing well.
Dr. Walker got to see first-hand how much stronger Jereth's lungs have become. He got upset as she was examining him and showed her how well he can cry. It may seem crazy to be happy about a crying baby, but for so long he would look like he wanted to cry then give up with only a whimper or less, that it is exciting that he now has the strength in his lungs to let know when he is unhappy.
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