Isaak was born on Aug 11, 1999. We knew of his transposition in utero, which I think was a blessing to help us prepare. He was taken by c-section and I saw his face for a brief second before he was whisked away to the NICU. He was transported by helicopter the next day the CHLA in Los Angeles for his surgery. Because of my surgery I was stuck in another city (imagine my anguish). I was released the day before his surgery.

That night they let us hold him for the first time, with all the tubes and machines it was intimidating but wonderful! He was wheeled to surgery the next morning when he was 5 days old. I remember watching them wheel him down the hall thinking I may never see him again. But God was watching over him and he pulled through. It was a long road but after two chest tubes and a lot of ups a downs he was released.

The first year was the hardest?a lot of hospitalizations and changing drugs. It seemed like he was sick all the time. Two months before his first birthday he had a heart cath and was doing so well the doctors took him off all his meds! We only ran into one more setback: that November, he began having febrile seizures. Very scary. But with proper fever management he hasn't had anymore. The year 2001 was his best. He wasn't hospitalized ONCE!

You would never know anything was ever wrong, he's such a big and happy boy. Always my big trooper. Then in December I noticed he was turning blue around his mouth so we went to see the cardiologist and his heart was a tad fast and his sats are on the lower side of the 90'S. So as I write this, he has a holter monitor on to see what his heart is doing. He actually had chest pain last night.. he grabbed his chest and screamed "OOWW!" I haven't been so worried since he was a baby. I just hope it all turns out ok and I'll have good news to report. Until next time my prayers are with all of you and your children.

Update (February 16, 2002): Isaak's holter came back with just a few extra beats, but nothing of real concern. Of course his cardiologist just left a message and we played phone tag for a week. Finally, we talked and I said I was still concerned as to why he was turning blue around his lips. So he's having an echo on the 25th. So we shall see....

Update (March 17, 2002): Isaak's Holter results came back and nothing to report! There is still some interference with his supravalvular pulmonary stenosis but not enough to warrant surgery. Hooray!