Cardiology Appt.

Hi everyone.  Christopher had a cardiology appointment on Friday so I thought I'd update (hey look it's only been 2 months since my last update!).  Apparently Dr. Chang is very pleased with the way Christopher's heart is pumping and squeezing.  He sees no need to rush a stent or his Fontan procedure.  He mentioned talking to Dr. Kyzer (he preformed the angioplasty) to make sure they are on the same page.  So we are back on track with surgery being sometime in 2014.  Not sure about the timing of the stent really.  We won't be back until November, when they'll take another gander at everything and check his pacemaker battery.  It feels strange that we haven't had a pacemaker check since November and now we won't have an ultrasound until November too.  

Chang also stopped one of his meds permanently.   He had us stop his blood pressure med to try to figure out why he's coughing so much, though I think it could be allergies or asthma.  So right now he's only on baby aspirin. It's really odd only giving him half an aspirin in the am.  We are used to 3 meds am and 2 pm.  When he was first home from the hospital it was 6 am 2 afternoon 4 pm.  He's so happy he doesn't have to take the yucky ones.  He'll have to get back on blood pressure meds in a week or so.  But right now it's a strange but nice change.  

That's all I know.  And here's a pic from the appt.  Love to all!

                                                  Chris is too cool in mom's sunglasses!

World's worst blogger.

Hi all.  I was sitting here reading some other people's blog updates, and realized I haven't posted for months!!!  And I NEVER neglect my blog so I had to put a stop to it! ;)

I wanted to update everyone on Chris's follow up cardiology appointment.  I guess it was kind of a wash.  It wasn't really good, but it wasn't really too bad.  His angioplasty wasn't successful, meaning on his next cath he will have a stent placed. Also, because of that particular trouble spot, combined with his slowly decreasing O2 sats, they have moved his OHS from 2014 to 2013.  That's right. He will have his stent placed sometime this summer and his next OHS late summer/early fall.  Can we all say bittersweet?  I am so ready to have this hurdle cleared, but I am definitely not anticipating having my 3 yr old on bypass for half a day.  :[ 

In case anyone is wondering why he is having a stent, when a few months later he'll be opened up, this is my understanding:  The aorta is the main blood supplier to the body.  Since this is the area that needs to be wider, the Dr's want any issues with it hammered out before surgery.  That way the heart can focus on repairs that they will do during his surgery, not on the aorta.   

Here's animated explanation of  the surgery he will have later this year.  It is the Fontan, and is the final step of a 3 series OH surgery he will have. 



 It will likely not be his LAST heart surgery.  There are often valve replacements and other things like congestive heart failure that would require additional surgeries.  I am hopeful that he wont encounter these problems.  However, he will have repeated cardiac catheterizations for the rest of his life.

Little Chris also celebrated his 3rd birthday February 18th!  We did not have a party because we were out of town for Robert's cousin's memorial service.  But we did have pie with relatives, and he did get a lot of attention and was spoiled. :]

Birthday boy swimming at the hotel we stayed at for the services the following day.

Don't mind my messy bathroom, but here we have Chris in his new towel from Aunt Fancy Pants Nancy. And Tyler showering, unaware he's in the pic.  :]

Chris ran up to this dinosaur at the park and said 'take my picture!'  I may have had him do this once before ;)

Chris being a ham.  I forget what was going on.  Looks like socks to me.

Against our better judgement we got a 4 month old Shiba Inu pup.  His name is Indo.  We love him. 

 Yes a puppy.  You heard me.  Expect there to be more pics of him on here.  I repeat, we love   him!!

That's all I know for now.  I'm sure I forgot something.  God Bless!

Rockstar out of commission

Hey everyone.

I am really sorry about not updating sooner.

Chris is doing pretty good today.


We were told by Kyser at the start of the day Friday, that because of the way the aorta was narrowed, it was a 50/50 chance of the need for a stent and an overnight stay. After coiling off some large collaterals and a few hours in cath lab, Paula let us know that they were wrapping up with the angioplasty and Chris didn't need the stent after all. We were grateful for that.

However, I felt very unprepared for the end result. Based on Dr. Kyser's laid back nature (which I like, don't get me wrong) and the whole 'this is a routine procedure' language of everyone involved, I was not expecting Chris to be in the shape he was in. The few hours in recovery were less than pleasant, and I would definitely compare it to being in ICU. The di

fference being that Chris was somewhat lucid. He was sedated and very grumpy, which I expected.  Robert and I took turns holding his leg still for roughly 4 hours while the pressure dressing was on to keep his incision from bleeding.

After discharge, he was somewhat himself, though a much more reserved and timid version. He did vomit and ran a temperature, but he was still pretty perky. That night his fever worsened and he complained (screamed and cried) of pain in his chest and abdomen all night. We did our best to console him, with little aid from Tylenol, as we knew this was normal for the first 24 hours. I read and reread the discharge paperwork, hoping to gain some insight, to no avail.

Five days later, he is still VERY grumpy and complains of pain in his left arm, chest, tummy, and legs. He walks with a limp, and will not move his neck at all. His fever only subsided Monday. He complains daily of pain and will not let me pick him up because he says it hurts to do so. I am not sure how to get a kid into a carseat without picking them up. 

So today he is acting almost himself.  Being bossy, and theatrical.  He doesn't want to walk much and has been taking pretty long naps for a few days.  All the doctors say this is totally normal.  

Based on this last cath, Chris will need another one sometime in 2013 and his 3rd OHS will be summer of 2014.

We are very grateful to all of you for your prayers.  I know that they are what gets us through.  We love you and I will update you further as time goes on.

Today...cardiac catheterization

Hi all.

I'm just posting a quick update on Chris's procedure today.  

We drove to Portland last night to be able to get checked in to  the Ronald McDonald House early, and get some grub, and rest.  

We came over to the new hospital at 5:30 am and it is AMAZING.  It is such a blessing for our family to live so close to one of the best children's hospital's in the country.  

We were taken to the wing where Chris would be getting his hospital clothes and a mild sedative.  He got to explore the awesome playroom and play with his big bro, Grammy, Grandpa, Aunt Nancy, and Uncle Jim, for about an hour.

Dr. Keizer came in after Chris had his sedative, and explained his plan of attack for the day.

Unlike what Dr. Chang had said at our last appointment, Dr. Keizer says it is likely Chris will have a stent put in and be kept over night.

If you remember from my last post, Dr. Chang had said that Chris would likely have a balloon angioplasty and some coils to close the collaterals.  He also said that it was likely to take about 3 hours and for Chris to stay an extra couple hours for observation.

Dr. Keizer says that based on the way Chris's aorta is looking, he will need a stent and have to have quite a few collaterals coiled off.  He says the collaterals are more than likely and that they are time consuming.

As of 9:30 Chris had been opened and the dye injected and the hunt for collaterals began.  

We don't get another update for an hour or so.  I will let you know what's happening.

So for now it's looking like Chris and I will be staying in the inpatient area tonight.  Keizer says it's a 50/50 chance, though to me he sounded like he expected it.

I love you all and thank you for all your support and continued prayers.  

These are some of the most capable Doctors in the country, but prayers never hurt.  

Thank you Lord for how well Chris has done so far!

Long time coming/ Chris update

Hi everyone!

I know it's been forever since the last blog post.  Seems like I say that on every post.  Time flies these days, and before I know it it's been months.  Unfortunately for you, I have been horrible about taking pictures.  :(  But we'll throw what I do have out there and fill in the blanks in between. It's been a pretty busy few months with fishing, crabbing, and school starting.

8.28.12

Anthony kicking things off with a chinook and silver salmon.  He has become quite the fisherman, and almost always comes home with something, and it's usually either the most fish or the most impressive fish.  Some people think he's lucky.  I think having a dad that takes him river fishing every year since boyhood has greatly helped.  He has been the guy in charge of the fishing station the last few years at scout camp.  It may not be river fishing, but he sure impresses everyone with his knowledge and mad fishing skills.  He is a sophomore this year at Warrenton High School and is a Warrenton Warrior on the wrestling team.  It may be kicking his butt, but as a girl who had brothers on the wrestling team, I think thats what its supposed to do. He seems to really enjoy it.

                                                                    9.4.12
Here we have the always adorable Christopher.  There we were just looking around Dollar tree, when a 'doughboy' walked right in front of us.  I said, 'Hey, you are a WWII Doughboy!'  He looked at me in surprise and replied, 'Well yes I am.  How did you know that?' I told him I had a brother who was a big fan of WWII. To that he asked if either of the little kids wanted to get their picture on his motorcycle.  Tyler was too shy, but Chris didn't mind.  That's the kind of place we live in.  :)

9.5.12

Here we have the very excited Tyler on his first day of Kindergarten!  He was so excited to start school this year, and is really enjoying learning his sounds and has already read several words to me on various signs and whatnot, by sounding them out. He loves borrowing books from class and from the library.  He is in Mrs. Bonneau's class, whom he likes very much.  A kid named Anthony is his best friend, but Mikey and Brady are kind of mean to him.  He would like to play with Carli sometime because she is 'smart, and nice', but he doesn't want people to make fun of him for playing with a girl.  I told him to play with whoever he wants, and let people say what they want.  He is a sensitive lad, and it's so sad for society to already begin the peer pressure and stereotyping.  I'm in big trouble for the next few years, I think.

9.7.12

No pictures of this guy yet, but I became an Aunt again on September 7th!  Wow!  Congrats to Luke and Liz and I can't wait to meet my strapping nephew Dietrich! Miss my buddy Finn too.  Also, Anthony turned 15 on the 7th!  Wow, I'm so old that family is starting to double up birthdays.  Just kidding, but how cool is it that my step-son and nephew now share this day!?

9.25.12

I don't have any pictures of this guy either, and I didn't think I should steal them, Round 2 for 2012 Auntie-ness on September 25th.  Congrats to Paul and Sabrina, and welcome to my handsome new nephew C. G. Mitchell!  Can't wait to meet you buddy!

9.30.12

Here we have a freshly pulled pot of Dungeness crab.  For those of you who don't know, in his spare time, my husband is a fisherman/crabber with mad skills.

9.30.12

Freshly cooked crab, waiting to be frozen and will be devoured at our annual Crab Feed, which is in it's 8th year!  Wow!  Didn't get many pictures from the actual feed.  I'm always busy visiting and playing.  Plus Joey and his girlfriend Chanel came this year and we all took the kids and snuck off to the beach!  :)   It was a beautiful day.  It couldn't have been nicer.  We had a ton of fun, with only minimal drama.  That's pretty good, considering that about as many people come to this annually as came to our wedding!

                                                                          10.6.12

Speaking of weddings, Rob's cousin Jordan married his girlfriend in October.  It was the most fun wedding ever!  They both looked great, and I loved the colors, plus Marisa had sunflowers which I LOVE.  They asked Christopher to be the ring bearer.  He did okay, but I have to say the flower girl was the cutest and stole the show, that's hard to do going up against Chris.  I had to keep an eye on her though, as she was crushing on Tyler the whole day.  :)  The wedding was perfect, no rain and lot's of laughs and tears.  Me, being the emotional bag of tears I am, was mopping up mascara before the groom even came down the isle.  They had a Pastor marry them who has known them both since birth.  How special is that??  They also exchanged their vows, which were so so sweet, especially after I have spent numerous years getting to know them and seeing their ups and downs.  The food, music, and decorations were great, but the Best man's speech was the highlight of the reception.  Although I thoroughly enjoyed the first dance together.  I love these two kid's  and congratulate them on their marriage and wish them all the best.

Tyler's Kindergarten photo School year '12-'13 age 5. I let him pic his own shirt, and we practiced smiling.  Compared to my kindergarten photo in which I am frowning, I thought this was pretty cute.  Boy was I glad I liked it especially since a few days later he and 'Brayden' cut a patch of their hair down to the scalp direct front and center.  No retakes for him.

So, that wraps up the pictures, and the recap of the last few months.

Now we'll move on to Christopher's cardiology check-up.  He had his 6 month check up this month.  It was an okay checkup.  He was a peach the whole time which was good.  We popped in Curious George and he was glued.  He is 'sensing' 99% of the time, which just means he isn't using his pacemaker.  =)  We were told that the report will never be 100% sensing.  Though he'll have to have it's battery replaced when he's 8 or 9.

His heart function is good.  Same leakage as always on the tricuspid valve.  BP good, and oxygen levels good.  Happy with his growth.

However, there is an area on his aorta that has increased velocity.  It is my understanding that this means there is a coarctation or a possible obstruction.  Based on the slowly increasing velocity of blood through the 'new' aorta, Dr. Chang feels that it is likely that the scar tissue has built up in that area.  In his words, HLHS hearts need no obstructions, or free flowing blood. (We all do, but it's more critical in Chris's situation.)  Increased velocity means that the heart is working harder to pump blood through this area, that in turn can increase blood pressure or cause more leakage on his valve.

An echo is a fairly unreliable way to view the heart.  It gives the cardiologist a rough idea of how his heart is functioning.  The echo based with his O2 sats, and overall color and growth are really what the cardiologist uses to make any changed to medications, and see how far out he wants the next visit to be.

To get actual pictures of the inside of the heart, Christopher will undergo a cardiac catheterization.  If the area that is narrowed needs to be widened he will have an angioplasty.  Dr.  Chang said the need for a stent is unlikely but they need an internal picture of the new aorta to know for sure.

They will also look for collaterals during the catheterization.  Remember, collaterals are blood vessels that have formed since surgery, that take away from normal blood flow.  Collaterals cannot be seen on ultrasound unless they are very large.  If any are seen during catheterization, Dr.  Keizer (Cardiologist who will be doing the catheterization) will place a 'coil' on the vessel which will stop blood flow to that vessel.



We are told that most children with a serious CHD have had several catheterizations since diagnosis.  We are lucky that Chris hasn't had to have one yet.  Still, it is always alarming when you again, have to hand your child over.  Looking at him, it is hard for me to accept that he needs this procedure.  I trust the cardiologists at Emmanuel and know that they need to have the best possible pictures of Chris's heart to give him the best treatment.

I worry some days that he is starting to tire out more quickly.  Or am I imagining it, or is it just that anyone would be tired after doing what he does in a day!!?  Of course we always worry about when the next surgery will be and how it will go.

His cardiac catheterization is scheduled for December 7th.  We appreciate all the prayers and thoughts our family has received on behalf of little Chris.  Please keep him and us in your prayers as we anxiously await this test.  It's results will likely tell us when his next heart surgery will be.

We love you all and we hope that you are enjoying the fall colors wherever you may be!

World's longest post!

Hi everyone!  I was just looking through my blog reading list and realized I hadn't posted the whole month of June!  Now almost 3 weeks of July are gone!  Where does the time keep going?   I thought I should probably do an update on everything and everyone.  I haven't really posted any good pics in awhile.  Let's do that first!  Now, there will be a slight overlap in time from the last recent pictures. I see that the most recent pics I've posted of the younger boys is in February.  However most of these are from December on up.  Enjoy!

Helping out daddy at work

12. 19 .11

Tuckered out

12. 27.11

   

        OSHA approved

       1. 18. 12

Looking sharp

2. 18. 12

                                               

 Sledding on the way to the Bend Sportsman Show

3. 9. 12

San Francisco Spring Break Trip

 3. 26. 12

Presents from Grammy's trip to Lousiana (couldn't rotate for whatever reason)

5. 23. 12

 Baby Jaguar masks we made one day

 5. 31. 12

  June 4th was Tyler's 5th birthday!!!! That means he starts school this year.  He is torn about if he really wants to go or not.  I think the only trouble is that he doesn't know what school is.  I tried explaining it to him, and he appeared to think it sounded tolerable.  He just doesn't know what to expect I think.  I'm, of course, nervous and excited for his first day of school.  I know he will love learning, as he enjoys asking questions and learning new things at home. I hope I've done a somewhat adequate job preparing him.

He requested an Angry Bird Birthday cake.  For those who don't know, it is a game that has people putting birds in slingshots and catapulting them towards structures with pigs sitting on them.  I don't get it myself so don't ask too much about it.  And no, I do not know why they are angry.  It's his favorite game and he loves to play on daddy's fancy phone.... and that's what he wanted, so by golly I gave it my best!!

Angry Bird birthday cake

cake pops

6. 4. 12

Really awesome pic Robert took upon arriving at work

My boys both wearing super hero pjs on the same night.  Nice!

6. 20. 12

Zonked

6. 26. 12

Leading the local 4th of July Parade

7. 4. 12

Anthony will be a Sophomore this coming school year.  He volunteered again at the BSA scout camp, at the fishing station.  I think that makes it his 3, maybe 4th yr helping out.  He got a really awesome letter of recommendation out of it too!  He's been out fishing a few times with dad, and if I'm not mistaken, he's the only one who came home with a catch.  He is rarely cocky unless provoked.  His dad and I  are really proud of the young man he is and the skilled fisherman he has proven to be.  Sturgeon is over, going into salmon now, and I know he is looking forward to it.  Anthony is also going on a week long camping excursion with Grampa Gene (aka Papa Gene).  I hope they can bond and catch up with one another.  

Chris is a chatty Kathy.  I know I need to post a vid, to show how verbal he really is.  His favorite thing to say is poop head.  Hey, I'm being truthful.  He really enjoys saying that, even when he's not mad.  I guess it could be worse, but it's really not my favorite thing to hear coming from my 2 yr olds mouth.  His second favorite thing to say is very loudly  'I DO IT MYSELF!'  Okay, okay, sheesh, I was only offering!

 Chris has been in the Potty Training process since January, and is good to go but wears a diaper at nite.  If he's too wound up or doesn't know where a bathroom is at a new location, sometimes he forgets to inform me of a need to go pee.  And for whatever reason he feels the need to regularly pee out of doors.  I have a suspicion about how that got started.  We successfully have car trips and shopping trips in regular under roos.  He was easy peasy to potty train.  Must be all the bathroom use he witnesses being a member of this family.

I got a chance to go South to my hometown and visit with my folks for a bit this summer.  We had all agreed to get together in June, to do a family celebration of life for my Grandfather Gordon Fruits (aka Poppy) who passed away in October.  It was really nice yet stressful to all be together.  Somehow, no matter how long I stay and visit, it never feels like I ever REALLY catch up with everyone.  I really missed talking to my Granny, and was sad that I never got a good chance to just chat with her the whole trip!  I will have to snag some pictures from someone of the get together too.  I brought my camera, but with 2 crazy kids to monitor I find the camera is usually an afterthought.

I was so happy to see my sisters in law, even if it was WAY to short of a visit.  Even shorter was my visit with my 2 older brothers who are both waiting to welcome additions to their little families in September!!!  Yay I get to be an Auntie again!  Boys and more boys!  :)  I do have a soft spot for precious baby boys.

I'm doing good, as is the hubs.  Just doing our best to keep up with the kids.  I've been on a health kick lately, probably driving everyone nuts, but it really does seem important to me.  Rob is still working at the marina, but has been trying to procure work at a Police Dept.

Robert and I had our 4th Anniversary July 13th.  He surprised me with a romantic date to the beach.  (We had agreed, NO gifts this year.  c'mon, we get ourselves what we want anyway, so it's no reason to go spend above and beyond our means right now.)  It was only a few hours, but it was really nice to just be together, without the chaos.  We had a bonfire, some wine and some s'mores.  All in all it was a humble yet romantic.

 It was also the 2 year anniversary of Chris's most recent heart surgery.  It's hard to believe that it's been 2 years since he had a procedure, seemed like it's all we ever did for awhile there.  We are very blessed that he has done so well with such a serious heart condition.  The only thing that makes Chris different from any other 2 year old is a foot long scar and the fact that he's doing everything they are doing with half the parts.  My heart aches for the parents who've lost their children to CHD or whose children struggle daily with everyday things.  I used to feel like other parents took their healthy kids for granted.  Now I feel like I sometimes take the miracle that Chris is for granted.  How quickly we forget how fragile life is, and how blessed we are for those who have been, are, and who will be part of our lives.  Love all my boys with all my heart!!!!!

So I think that's it for now.  That's all she wrote.

hugs

~Sis

Heart Hero Update...

Christopher had a sedated echo on Friday, to check out the workings of his little heart.  The sole reason for him being sedated, was because of difficulty getting a clear picture of the heart, when a 2 yr old is screaming his head off.


Ever since Chris was born he's been given shots for the often fatal RSV virus, once a month, during RSV season (about the same time as flu season).  So, from roughly November through April once a month for the last 2 yrs, he's had to get a shot that is, pain wise, one of the most painful shots a kid can get. Then because of his weight and the dosages, this year and one month of last year he had to have 2 every month!!!  And they REALLY hurt. So, every time we go to the doctor now, (actually every time he sees someone in scrubs or a white coat)  he is instantly crying and clinging to me.  This is the primary reason for sedating him during a routine and non-invasive echo.


Skip to the bottom if you want to read the short version.


The verdict:  No news is good news.


Dr.  Chang (primary cardiologist)  really wanted to get a good picture of the 'new' aorta (called 'new' because it is man made by using parts of the left side of the heart sewn together), as well as the tricuspid valve (the only working valve that he has...pumps ALL his blood), as well as check for collaterals (random blood vessels that form) and how his heart squeezes.


Report for the 'new' aorta was good!  No increased coarctation (narrowing) from scar tissue.  No 'leakage'  (means all red blood is flowing through it!  Yay!  That's a good thing).  


Report for tricuspid valve is good.  This is a big one because if that puppy goes out, Chris will be in trouble.  There is moderate regurgitation (that means a moderate amount of blue blood leaks back up with the red blood.)   This is not really good, but it is expected, and it's been present since his OH's (Open Heart operations).  It will always be there, but at least it's not getting worse!  


Now, a bit about collaterals.  I tried to find an article that would explain them to the best of my knowledge. So this is it:


Note:  Areas of interest have been highlighted.

"Collateral vessels are extra blood vessels that connect portions of the same artery or link two different arteries. These alternate blood circulation routes develop in most people and are usually closed to the flow of blood. The collateral vessels can be microscopic or they may grow larger. In some individuals, enlarged collateral blood vessels begin to transport blood. Some cases of active collateral circulation are beneficial, while in other instances, this kind of added blood circulation can cause serious medical complications.  "

Note:  In Chris' case collaterals would cause serious medical complications.

"Doctors may diagnose collateral circulation with the aid of medical tests such as an echocardiogram, chest x-ray or electrocardiogram. In some cases, physicians recommend treatment to close collateral vessels that have opened and enlarged. A cardiac catheterization procedure may be used to place special plugs and coils in the alternate blood vessels and close them off. The plugs and coils cause blood clots to form in the vessels and promote tissue growth that permanently seals these vessels in most instances."

Note:  The following is tough for me to read, but is the primary reason for finding collaterals early so as to close them off without additional problems.

"Some people with collateral vessels develop congestive heart failure, a serious condition caused by an excessive strain on the heart and an inability to pump enough blood. Common symptoms of congestive heart failure include shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling of the ankles, feet and abdomen. Doctors may prescribe drugs such as blood-pressure medications to improve blood flow throughout the circulatory system. Some patients with congestive heart failure undergo coronary bypass or angioplasty surgery as well as heart valve replacement surgery to improve blood flow to the heart.

Collateral vessels may cause endocarditis in some individuals. Endocarditis is an inflammation of the heart valves and inside lining of the chambers of the heart. This condition may be more likely to occur in cases where the heart’s valves have become weakened. Fever, excessive sweating and fatigue are common symptoms of this medical condition. Physicians may recommend long-term antibiotic use or heart valve surgery as treatments for endocarditis."

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-collateral-vessels.htm

So there you have it.  I would've tried to explain it, but it really is one of those things that you can't explain in one or two sentences.

Report for collaterals is good.  Dr. Chang couldn't find a single one!!!!!!!! Yay!  This is VERY good.  There still may be tiny ones, but judging by the rest of the pictures on the echo as well as Chris' O2 saturations, if they exist, they are not adversely affecting him.

Report for heart 'squeeze' is good.  This means that as Chris' heart is functioning right now, he is doing fine and doesn't need to up his med doses or add new medicine.  That's always good news!

Also being checked was his pacemaker.  A tech comes in and does an 'interrogation' of the pacemaker.  It gives him a big print out of how his heart has been functioning on it's own, and with the pacemaker.  

Reprt for pacemaker is great! The print out shows, he is pacing his own heart at 98.7% (That is roughly as good as you and me.  Everyone's heart will skip a beat from time to time).  Dr. LaGras (cardiologist that also specializes in pacemakers), was very happy with it, and even felt comfortable turning the parameters down on it, (basically how slow he is willing to let Chris' heart go before the pacemaker kicks on) in an effort to save some battery life.  It's estimated battery life is 5-7 yrs.  

Short version:

Everything is looking really good!  No real change from his appointment 6 months ago.  All the doctors were pleased with his growth and his heart function.  Anytime we are told 'we'll see you in six months', we are really happy!  We are really blessed with how amazingly well he has done.  I think it's pretty safe to say that he couldn't be doing any better than he is right now!  He has half a heart you know?!  (you couldn't tell it by looking at him (except his scar)).

~Much love to all and many thanks for love, thoughts, and prayers!  Those are what get us through the tough times!