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10 pounds 4 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long
Today Cooper had yet another visit to our favorite cardiologist, Dr. Joshi. The Lord is GOOD as we had yet more good news!!
The doctor noted thatCooper's weight gain and growth are both good and his tone looked improved. After an initial exam we moved to the ECHO room. Cooper has become much more alert since his last ECHO and is very interested in objects within his grasp. He kept trying to grab the ultra-sound wand and put it in his mouth -- he is a typical baby.
The ECHO continued to show very good results and Dr. Joshi said the hole is definitely continuing to close. Additionally, the left side of his heart is returning to almost normal size. Because of the particular hole Cooper has, there is too much blood going back into his lungs, as a result this causes the left side of his heart to work harder and to be enlarged or dilated. So the news that the left side of his heart is returning to normal size is very good. They also checked his pressures (I have no idea exactly what this means) but | his pressure was 60 which is also good and improved. Dr. Joshi said this is all positive news.
However, there was one "but" in the results from the test this morning. As this tissue growth occurs, the growth resembles a cobweb and as all these little strings in the cobweb form there is the possibility that one little tissue string might decide to be a bit rebellious and grow its own way. Cooper's heart has a little "nub" of tissue that is sticking out in the wrong direction and could possibly cause us some problems. If this "nub" grows out it will grow under the aorta and this will require surgery. The downside is there is no way to prevent the tissue from growing out in the wrong direction again. Dr. Joshi did say he is not going to worry about this right now and hopefully this little "nub" will not strike out on its own. We will continue to trust that the Lord has brought us this far and He will continue to heal Cooper's heart.
At our last visit in May, we asked what he was thinking about surgery considering we originally expected to have surgery in July or August. Dr. Joshi's response was that we are not even thinking about surgery right now. It is there in the back of our minds if we need it but right now we do not need it. So, we are continuing in that direction and right now we have no plans for surgery and hopefully will not need it. Our next cardiologist appointment will be in mid October.
Aside from his heart, Cooper is developing, slowing but surely. He is now five and half months old, is smiling and laughing at us and is very curious and interested in what is going on around him. He is reaching out and grabbing toys and he loves watching his big brother. We are still working on his oral feedings and are working with a speech therapist to try and improve his eating skills. He will be starting rice cereal soon and Dr. Joshi has said that he tends to see an eating improvement in feeding tube babies when they begin soft solids. My hope is that this will be true with Cooper and we can soon remove the feeding tube.
We are truly enjoying our two little boys and are excited to start seeing Cooper's little personality develop. Thank you again to all of you who continue to have an interest in our family and in Cooper and those of you who conintue to pray for us. We are grateful beyond words.
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