Good heart

At promptly 9:30 am, Porgie and I started on our journey toward the heart and lung hospital. My baby girl was in a great mood - smiling and laughing in the backseat. She snacked on flaxseed crackers, while I navigated my way to a city completely foreign to me.

We pulled into the hospital parking lot at 10:30 am. Porgie and I walked into the outpatient lobby, and were greeted by a room full of elderly people. They all told Porgie how pretty she looked. And of course, my little girl danced and sang songs for them. A good time was had by all.

When they called Porgie back, she instantly started crying. I picked her up and carried her to the exam room. The first test was an echocardiogram. As soon as the ultrasound wand touch her delicate skin, Porgie started screaming. The technician turned on an episode of Blue's Clues, but it did little to calm my baby girl. Hot tears streamed down her face, as she desperately tried to climb onto my lap. Instead of cradling her in my arms, I had to help hold her down on the table. It was awful. My heart was aching for my frightened baby.

After about 25 minutes, the procedure was done. Porgie leaped into my arms, and hugged me tightly. The nurse tried to escort us to another room, but Porgie refused to walk. I had to carry her down the hall, as she snuggled against my chest.

The next test was an EKG. While the nurse attached the leads to Porgie's chest, she started screaming again. Her little body was quivering as she desperately reached for me. I tried to calm and comfort her through words and touch, but she was hysterical. Fortunately, this test was very short. It only lasted for about 2 minutes total.

Porgie and I were then taken to another room to meet with the doctor. I sat in the chair, cradling my baby, trying to think of a way to make everything better. Suddenly I remembered that I had a few crayons in the diaper bag. I pulled out a black crayon and a piece of paper, and Porgie's face lit up. She quickly set to work coloring.

A few minutes later the doctor arrived. She explained that Porgie has two heart murmurs, but that they are both innocent. She actually described them as "classic" murmurs. According to the doctor, a large percentage of children have heart murmurs and many adults do too. She also explained that murmurs can sounds louder and more alarming when a child has been crying for prolonged periods or when they are sick. This explains why Porgie had been referred to the pediatric caradiologist, because she always cries when we go to the doctor, and half of the time she is sick too. So, the doctor sent us home with a clean bill of health. No need for a follow-up appointment. YAY!

As we walked out to the car, Porgie rattled on about her "cullie." I didn't have the heart to take it away from her. So, I strapped her into the car seat while she happily clutched her crayon.

About 10 minutes after we left, Porgie started SCREAMING for her cullie. I turned around to see her empty handed. She was so distressed that I pulled over to find her crayon. I got out of the car and searched the floor, but I couldn't find it. I also searched her car seat, but it was no where to be found. Porgie was very upset. Sadly, I had to start driving without finding the crayon. And Porgie cried the entire way home. An hour of nonstop SCREAMS.

We got home and I quickly unstrapped her. Porgie got down on her hand and knees and retrieved the crayon from under the passenger side seat. Smart little girl!

Although the day was very traumatic, the heart murmur results were very reassuring, and I am thankful that my baby girl is healthy.