 |
|
Gibson with his Pi?ta (2005) |
 |
|
Gibson's 3rd Birthday |
 |
|
Gibson in 2003 |
|
|
|
This has been an incredible learning experience, but I cannot believe how blessed I am with both of my boys. I am learning a great deal from this listserv.
October 2002 Update
Gibson turned one last week. It is hard to believe it has been a year since his Norwood, six months since the hemi-Fontan and 3 months since I went back to work and he started day-care with his big brother. Except for that ever fading scar, he is a happy, healthy good natured one-year old. We have been very fortunate so far. He was in the hospital less than two weeks for his Norwood and less than a week for his hemi-Fontan. Now he's crawling, standing and starting to drive his big brother crazy as he gets into his toys. So far none of the dire predictions we heard have come through. He is only a bit behind developmentally, catching up every day. He weighs 20lbs, has never had feeding issues. Life has returned somewhat to "normal". We could not be happier.
Gibson's name is a result of my husband and I trying to be positive after his diagnosis when I was 32 weeks pregnant. We decided to come up with a name from "Braveheart" and I refused to name him Mel! So far his heart has been very brave and we thank God every day for him. Our PC is already starting to talk about the Fontan next year. I don't want to turn him over to the surgeons but look forward to having this all behind us with only occasional PC visits.
December 2003 Update
Gibson had his Fontan at CHOP October 29, 2003, a little more than a week after his second birthday. Gibson's experience could not have gone better. He came off the ventilator an hour out of surgery, was walking around 2 days after surgery and released to Ronald McDonald 3 days following surgery.
Now, six weeks post-Fontan he is back in day care, talking a mile a minute, playing with his big brother, terrorizing the cats and a happy, happy boy. He points at his scar and says, "Doctor do that." and "Doctor fix me." He is now looking forward to being a big brother early this summer. We are truly thankful to Dr. Spray our surgeon and the other doctors and ICU nurses at CHOP for taking such good care of Gibson.
December 2004 Update
Gibson turned three in October (2004). We have gone a full year without a surgery and at his last cardiology appt, the doctor said he was boring. Gibson is our little imp and I can definitely see us getting phone calls from school in the future. He is happy, laughing, wonderful and healthy. Gibson goes to day care full time, chases his big brother and is now a big brother himself. We don't know what the future holds, but the present is truly wonderful.
December 2005 Update
Gibson turned 4 in October and grew 5 inches this year! He has gone from not being on the charts at all?to straight 50th percentile for height and weight. We had one minor medical emergency this year. He started coughing up blood one day. To make a long story short, that is a sign of collaterals and after a hastily scheduled cath (emergency seems a bit dramatic) they closed his fenestration, coiled his collaterals and sent him home w/his highest sats ever?98%. Gone are the rosy but really blue cheeks. His energy level is amazing and he wears us out!
Gibson loves cowboys, pretending to be a cat (a snarling hissing one) and making people laugh. He is truly an HLHS success story and gives hope to everyone he meets.
