Life with the Galligans: November 2008

No more diapers!

Happy boy at the doctor

It's been a big week for the little Galligans (that's the kids, not Bryan and I). Mason is officially not a baby anymore - she has gone a whole week (well two weekends, and three week days at school) without any potty accidents. She's really learning quickly.

Blake had a cardiologist appointment today, and he is doing fantastic. His oxygen saturations were around 84 (normal for kids with his repair should be between 75-85), and he is growing like a weed - 17 1/2 lbs. and 25 1/2 inches (that's almost 2.5 lbs. and 1/4 inch in a month). His right ventricle function has improved since his surgery. When we were released from Texas Children's they classified his right function as "moderately depressed." The right function is now classified as "mildly depressed." Dr. Shapiro reassures us that this is nothing to stress about because the right ventricle function is very hard to measure (especially when there is no left ventricle function to compare it to); he says the fact that he is gaining weight and developing so well, he is obviously getting enough blood to the places he needs it. He says it is nothing to stress about, and very well may be Blake's normal function. In fact, the doctor thinks he is doing so well he graduated Blake from coming once a month to coming once every three months. It's a huge step. I think I'm ready for it (cardiologist appointments are really long and stressful), but I will miss the constant reassurance that everything is going well.

All in all, things couldn't be going better. Both of the kids are really fun and have really distinct personalities. Mason has really started interacting and playing with Blake; I think she likes the immediate gratification of his smiles and giggles. And Blake is really interacting with us; he giggles all the time, and he is starting to sit up (if even for a couple of seconds before toppling over), and loves nothing more than to stand up and bounce. This Thanksgiving we feel extremely blessed for our beautiful, happy, and healthy family.