What have you done for me lately?

Looking back at the blog a few weeks ago, I had to laugh at myself because there was a week when Andrew was a newborn that I tried to make the title to each day's post a song title or line with the day of the week in it. That was one of the good weeks, we loved when Andrew was stable enough that we actually go bored hanging around his hospital room.
After Andrew's cardiology appointment earlier this month (which went great) we headed over to visit the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at Arnold Palmer - which Steve refers to as Andrew's first home. Above is a picture I took because I wanted to point out what Children's Miracle Network (CMN) has done for us lately: a $1.2 million makeover of Andrew's first home! It was an exciting visit because many of the nurses & doctor that took care of Andrew were actually working that day. There is such a special place in our hearts for these people who fought right along side Andrew with everything they had, what more could a parent ask for? I almost teared up when Andrew leaned right over for the intensivist doctor to hold him. Sure he needed to be saved from all the women, but I still think they are bonded for life : )
So here's the lead in: I've mentioned before that we are participating in the CMN Torch Relay coming up November 13th. We're excited to support this organization because it is plain how this support directly benefits Miracle kids like our Andrew. At the event Andrew & I will be sharing his story right before the 5K kickoff. If you're local, we'd love to have you join our Miracle Heart team!!! (Follow the Torch Relay link to the left.) Sure the financial support is great, but I think the moral support means even more.

Heart Walk Pictures

Isaiah & Andrew getting ready for the Heart Walk.

Mommy & Andrew

Tribute wall...

Our beautiful boy in his survivor hat. Heart walk went very well; Orlando raised over 1 million this year. We could tell it was bigger & a AHA friend of ours said there was 1,000 more participants. I blame them for our tardiness : ) The Torch Relay is coming up in a couple weeks & now that we have a decently working computer maybe I'll get caught up with pictures before then. I PROMISE I'll try to update the blog more often. This boy keeps me busy!

Thankful for RSV?

Weird, right? Yesterday evening Andrew had a fever & was a little grumpy, but no other symptoms. Of course, when you're Andrew this means a trip to Arnold Palmer's ER to find the cause. This is because it is uncertain whether or not Andrew's spleen is functional. People without a functioning spleen are at risk for rapidly progressing infections that might start with no other symptom than fever. It was not a fun visit, though we are grateful for the great care our boy gets at APH. Took 4 tries to get a blood sample / IV line (just in case). Steve & I agree that was horrible & I'm pretty sure Andrew's subsiding anxiety about going to the doctor's will now be back full force. So we find ourselves in the interesting situation of being thankful the fever is explained by RSV, a virus that Andrew received monthly shots to prevent through the end of flu season after he turned 2. Something that posed such a risk for our baby has been literally taken in stride by our big boy. If you saw him now, your wouldn't even know he was sick. I remember praying so frequently over our baby that God would make a way for him to live & I smile now to think when our God goes for something, He goes all out : )