Katelyn had an appointment with Dr. Stone at Children's Heart Center on Thursday 10/4. Joe and I both took off work to take her. We arrived on time, and after finishing the last bit of paperwork (seriously, it was like a novel!) we were taken back by a very nice nurse. She explained that they would do an EKG (not an echo like I originally heard), and then we undressed her and took her out to weigh/measure her. She was 10lbs 4oz, 22.5". That means she's gained almost 2.5lbs and at least 2" (or more like 3-3.5" depending on whose first measurements you use, the hospital's or the Dr.'s).
Dr. Stone came in shortly after the nurse left, and chatted with us for a minute and then listened to her heart and checked her pulse. Long story short, he *thinks* he heard a "normal" murmur, but he couldn't say 100% that it's "normal". He wants to see Katelyn again in 6 months, and then they'll do a sedated Echocardiogram to make sure there's no holes or other structural issues in her heart. He said she's too awake/wiggly to do it without sedation, and at this point she's still too small for him to want to sedate her. When they first mentioned sedation, I started to stress. I was picturing full sedation, like in a hospital. Apparently, though, it's a relatively minor deal, they'll just do it in the office. They will give her something to drink that will make her sleep for 30/45 minutes. Fingers crossed that everything checks out normal.
After we got back to the room, the nurse started getting her ready for the EKG. They put 8 little sticky pads on (4 across the chest, 1 on each clavicle area, and one on each side of her abdomen). Then she hooked wires up to each of them. We had to help hold her still-ish while the EKG ran. Poor baby had the hiccups, which was really quite funny. Every time she'd hiccup, you could see it on the EKG. After the EKG, she took her pulse/blood pressure, and then we just had to wait to see the Dr.
Dr. Stone came in shortly after the nurse left, and chatted with us for a minute and then listened to her heart and checked her pulse. Long story short, he *thinks* he heard a "normal" murmur, but he couldn't say 100% that it's "normal". He wants to see Katelyn again in 6 months, and then they'll do a sedated Echocardiogram to make sure there's no holes or other structural issues in her heart. He said she's too awake/wiggly to do it without sedation, and at this point she's still too small for him to want to sedate her. When they first mentioned sedation, I started to stress. I was picturing full sedation, like in a hospital. Apparently, though, it's a relatively minor deal, they'll just do it in the office. They will give her something to drink that will make her sleep for 30/45 minutes. Fingers crossed that everything checks out normal.
I guess for now the news is good. If he were truly concerned about her heart, he wouldn't be willing to wait 6 months. If only Joe and I could convince ourselves that everything is fine. The rational side of me believes that everything is fine. The less rational side of me is still worried. I suppose until we really KNOW that she's ok, it will continue to be in the back of my mind. We'd appreciate continued thoughts & prayers!