Tuesday, March 13, 2012

We Heart the Heart Doc

After Samantha's AV canal repair at CHOP when she was 4 months old, we saw her local cardiologist, Dr. H., with great frequency.  Dr. H. is the one who visited us in the hospital after Samantha was born, the bearer of bad news on top of bad news already received.  But his manner was soft, confident, comforting.  His assurances that accompanied his message were met with hope, the dread, while not disappearing in any way, lessening with each word out of his mouth.

We are now at a point where the visits to Dr. H. only occur every 2 years, a bittersweet number, as the infrequency means that Sammi's repair was excellent and her follow-up care merely a way to be sure nothing has changed, and the infrequency also means that we don't get to see him as often.  After 2 years since her last appointment, he still makes sure a pot of coffee is on, 2 sugars and some milk in a cup, waiting to be hand-delivered in-person to my always-astonished husband in the lobby upon our arrival.  One day, a few years back, we'd arrived a few minutes early for our appointment, interrupting pizza for lunch between him and his office staff, relaxing in the waiting room.  We were invited to join them.  While amused, we politely declined.

Samantha loves Dr. H.  Even 24 months since her last appointments, new fears and hesitations accompanying her maturing brain, he put her right at ease, involving her in each step he took, from taking weight and measurements...


...to listening to her heart...


...to taking her blood pressure...




...to doing the all-important (and potentially fear-inducing) echocardiogram.



The results were as expected...no changes.  Minor mitral valve regurgitation (a slight murmur), nothing to ever be concerned about, nothing that would ever stand in her way of any activity she wants to be involved in. 

It's always a relief.

7 comments:

teal915 said...

Kamdyn had an appointment yesterday too. All's well for her too : )

Than4Keeps said...

It's amazing how folks come into our lives and makes such a huge impact that we are glad and better for. There is no limits to your darling girl's possibilities...way to go!

Leah said...

The blessing of a great doctor is certainly something to celebrate. So glad that her ticker is doing great! It really is amazing what they do for our little ones' hearts, isn't it?

Anna said...

you have no idea how beautiful your little one is! I love this post, it reassures me for our cardio appt on Thur. yeah. REALLY?! My 18 yo had a physical for his new job and the Dr said he had a heart murmur. motherhood. sigh.

Heather said...

We feel EXACTLY the same about Zoey's cardiologist. We could go to an incredible local doctor now, but my heart won't allow me to give up the trip down the CHLA to the person who not only was Zoey's doctor for the repair but she has become my friend. I think I will just keep making the trip. just have to.

Samantha, as always, stunning and beautiful.

alicia said...

yay! glad everything is more than fine :)

Anonymous said...

Such fantastic news!! Judging by the way Sammi was rocking the hop scotch game at recess, nothing will stand in her way! Wish I could have captured it on video. What a wonderfully normal/amazing sight to see. Have a wonderful trip and hurry back, I miss her already.