The Next Step

After meeting with the pediatric cardiologist, we knew our next step would be to schedule Joshua for a heart catheterization.....

in the next few months.

Disappointing news for this momma's heart.

I understand from a "pediologist's" (try saying pediatric cardiologist three times fast!) point of view that, at some level, Joshua is stable. But I want him to feel better, to breathe better, to be able to enjoy life without fear of collapse. I want to know "where we are at" and have a plan.

Oh me of little faith.

Monday, I was preparing to call the "pediologist" office to check on scheduling when my phone rang with great news.

They just "happened" to have a cancellation for Monday, September 26. Alrighty then, two weeks is way less than two months. And there is not ONE SOLITARY THING on my calendar the whole week. Nothing, nada, zippo, zilch.

Thursday we went over to the big city to meet with the cardiologist in the practice who does the catheterizations. He was a little less optimistic and a lot more realistic than Dr. M.

With God all things are possible.

Would you pray that Joshua's heart will be able to function at a level that allows him a better quality of life?

Whether that means surgery or medicine or therapies, it matters not.

We are at peace with the process and the outcome.

Would you pray for safety in the procedure on Monday at 7:00am?

Joshua is at greater than average risk with the catheterization and the anesthesia because of his anatomy and his frailty.

I think Joshua is having irregular heart rhythms that are stressing him out and causing profuse sweating.

Would you pray for answers to his uncomfortableness?

We are at great risk of stressing our support system out. Not really, but it's hard to be humble and ask for help.

Our kids have experienced trauma in their lives. They silently carry around a lot of worry and anxiety.

Would you pray that those at home would feel safe, loved, and confident in our Father's plan?

Our schedule:

Saturday night we hope to skype with a friend who speaks Mandarin. We are hoping to let Joshua know exactly what is going to happen. I know he is very nervous and angry. How does he know we aren't going to go and drop him off somewhere? I can't imagine his confusion.

Sunday evening, drive over to the Ronald McDonald House and check in. We decided to stay near the hospital because of the distance and the language barrier. We would have to get up around 3:30am if we left from home and I couldn't stand the thought of not being able to explain to Joshua why he cannot eat or drink. Food is VERY important right now and something that he has control over.

Monday morning we will wake the patient up at 5:45 am and immediately take him to the hospital for a 6:00 check in. We may take turns sneaking downstairs at 5:30 for some coffee. We can stay with him until he is in the cath-lab and mostly asleep.

The procedure should take two and a half hours. My husband will keep me from going off the deep end. He is very good at that.

We will most likely stay the night on a monitored bed. We are hoping to see several other specialists while we are in the hospital. I will remain with Joshua and Bob will go home Monday night to monitor the heartbeat of the family and then go do that thing called "work".

We are headed for the next step.

May God go before, behind, and around all the people and places, preparing hearts for His will.

I might even let him wear the outfit since he loves it so.