Thursday, June 12, 2008

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.

20 comments:

Awake said...

oh good - such wonderful news! Porgie deserves lots of extra kisses and hugs for her hard day (as does mommy). :)

Antropóloga said...

Man, talk about a suckass day for you both. But I am just delighted that she is totally sound!

Mommy Mechanics said...

Oh that is such good news! Yay! What a relief to be all over with. Poor little girl.

Em said...

Thank goodness shes ok!! What tramatic day but with a good ending and how clever with crayons!

Amanda said...

Great News!
Love Amanda x

Marni's Organized Mess said...

I'm glad that she is ok and found her cullie. :)

Jen said...

Awww! She is soo cute with her cullies! I'm so glad your sweet little girl is ok! That is great news from the doctor!

Anonymous said...

YAAAY! That is awesome. So sorry you and Porgie and the rest of the family had to go through that.

You should keep some cullies in the car...just in case. ;)

Tabitha said...

I am so pleased to hear that all is well ~ that must be such a relief for you.
We are always losing thins in the car ~ I sometimes wonder where they all go LOL!!
love and hugs ~ Tabitha XXX

Tabitha said...

OOps that should be 'things' not 'thins' ~ silly me!! X

Lindz said...

Great news, I am so happy to hear it.

Melissa said...

That is so wonderful she is ok!!! Good rescue with the crayon.....but sounds like the ride home wasnt too fun...I know how those go. :) Have a good day!

Chastity said...

Terrific news! You must be very relieved.

amanda said...

oh friend. such great and happy news. although my heart hurts just knowing that the two of you had to go through all of that.

you are one wonderful mama :)

ps - yes it was HOT in the city. and it's a good thing i didn't know you were in jersey. i might have ended up on your front porch!!

Kris said...

I'm glad all is well! Kalila has the same kind of murmur.. was diagnosed when she was born, but the dr hasn't heard it since. Thankfully I know people with it too so that helped me not worry so much.

Sorry about the crying though.. I know that's rough, it seems like it's twice as long as it really is too.

Rachel said...

I am so glad that everything is ok. I had a heart murmur and they checked it my whole life and then I got pregnant and they went away. My doctor said that sometimes happens. OH boy I have such a hard time with screaming in the car and for an hour. Poor mama and poor little girl.

Rachel said...

I am so glad that everything is ok. I had a heart murmur and they checked it my whole life and then I got pregnant and they went away. My doctor said that sometimes happens. OH boy I have such a hard time with screaming in the car and for an hour. Poor mama and poor little girl.

Nellie said...

So happy to hear Porgie got the all clear! What a relief.

Mama Smurf said...

I'm glad you got good news. We went through the same thing when my 2nd son was a toddler.

anymommy said...

I am so thrilled that she is just fine. What a long, traumatic day for both of you. The good news is, it's over!