Wink from Heaven: Cardiology Appointment

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Cardiology Appointment

Caleb had a Cardiology appointment yesterday. We discussed his low heart rate issues and the cardiologist had us do an echocardiogram (an ultra sound of the heart) to see if there were any evident complications. The ECHO showed that his heart actually looks better than it did in 2008 when he had his last echo. He did point out that there is some flow into the right atrium that is unexplained and he wanted to get a second opinion before we discussed it. In the meantime, he also sent us home with a Holter monitor. The monitor is hooked up to Caleb for 24 hours so the cardiologists can get a better idea what his heart is doing during a full day. Hopefully with more information we'll know if there is anything we can do to help his heart rate improve.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Hope the monitor gives the specialist some more answers x; August 3, 2011 at 5:32 PM
The Kings said...: I'm glad you are getting some answers, and hope they can figure out a way to help him. Poor little man.; August 3, 2011 at 7:20 PM
Bugg's mama said...: I may not be a doc, but I think I may be able to diagnose what is in his heart: love, LOVE, love, & joy.

xoox, Bree; August 3, 2011 at 9:07 PM
Janene Baadsgaard said...: I love you Caleb; August 4, 2011 at 6:10 AM
Becky said...: I got your message...I'm going to call tonight on my way down to MA. You (and Caleb) are in my heart...always.; August 5, 2011 at 5:06 AM
Alanna said...: Good luck with figuring out what's happening with his heart rate! I glad his heart looks better than in 2008.; August 5, 2011 at 6:23 AM

Prayer for Caleb

(written by Caleb's Grandma in her weekly column -2008-)

In my family we have a secret code to communicate our love for each other when we are out in public. We wink. When one of us is about to perform or speak, we look for a family member’s face in the crowd. Then we wink at each other. Closing one eye and winking is our secret code for saying, “I love you. You can do it. You’re wonderful.”

About three years ago, my grandson Caleb was born into our family. He must have known before birth that he would never be able to speak to us because he was born with one eyelid permanently closed. So, he is always “winking” at us, always communicating, “I love you. You can do it. You’re wonderful.”

Caleb has one eye lid permanently closed because he is missing one of his eyes . . . and he is also missing his brain. All the doctors said he would die soon after birth. They were wrong. Caleb is three years old. He is a medical miracle. The doctors say he can’t see, hear, speak, think or move. Those who know and love Caleb understand he has his own unique way of experiencing the world and communicating his love to those around him.

After Caleb was born the hospice people told us to buy a burial plot and continually warned us of his imminent death. We soon learned you can not live well in a state of fear and sadness. We decided we could spend Caleb’s entire life anxious and scared he might die at any moment, or we could celebrate each day we were blessed to have him with us. In the beginning, my daughter April celebrated Caleb’s birthday every week instead of every year with balloons and cupcakes because we simply did not know how long we would have him with us. We stopped the cupcakes after we gained ten pounds, but the celebrating goes on.

We all prayed for a miracle when we first learned about Caleb’s condition. We got one. Caleb’s birth, life and mission have had a deep and lasting impact on our lives. His spirit, eternal identity and most of all the loving, individual relationship he has with each of us is truly a miracle. Because of Caleb we know that each of us has a divine purpose and that the physical body is a sacred gift we should never take for granted. We better understand the worth of a soul and the resiliency of the human spirit.

Caleb’s five year old brother Matthew said, “Grandma. The doctors said Caleb was going to die, but he didn’t. That’s the first miracle I ever saw!”

Sometimes Caleb’s baby brother Mitchell pulls out his feeding tube while they hold hands riding together in their double stroller. Sometimes the only intervention that can get Caleb’s heart rate up is when his older brothers Josh and Matty crawl in his crib, hug him and sing, “I am a Child of God.” ...If you have a moment please offer a prayer for the little boy who has never been able to utter a single word and yet has taught everyone who knows and loves him – all the secrets of a rich and meaningful life.