Follow-Up

I have learned many times in the past few months how quickly things change in the heart world.  Both for the best and worst.  Some days are terrifying.  Some are hopeful.
Yesterday, was one of those hopeful days.  What a way to start November.  Something to be thankful for.  I will probably always be nervous going to a cardiology appointment.  Echo's will be worse but even a chest x-ray and EKG manage to create some butterflies.  But, yesterday's appointment went great.  EKG looked great.  Xray looked great.
The exciting, light at the end of the tunnel, perfect Thanksgiving gift was a very short test on room air.  Liv was satting 80-85 on 1/4 liter of oxygen.  They decided to try her on room air so we turned off the oxygen for a few minutes while they listened to her, answered my questions, and chatted about this and that.  We then plugged her into the pulse-ox.  I wasn't expecting great numbers since on O2 she stayed in the mid to low 80's.  But the girls surprised me and on room air was 85-86.  Now, she will remain on oxygen and her meds will stay the same since she's still only three weeks post op.  (Three weeks already!?)  But, I was given permission to ditch the tank if I need to run errands!!!  The cardiologist who was filling in for Dr. McCandless said he suspects at our next appointment on the 30th Liv will be switched to O2 just at night.  For some of you, that may not seem like a big change.  But for me, after hauling around a heavy tank, heavy baby, keeping track of a three year old, not being able to play outside very well because of said tank, it sounding like Darth Vader lives in my kitchen, not feeling like I can visit family because I don't want to pack the concentrator, and on, and on, and on, it is a Halloween Miracle!  The perfect way to start out the holidays.  This morning, I kicked on my Christmas music (yes, I am one of those people) and had one of many, many, many moments to come where I just broke down looking on this past year.  Looking at all the obstacles we've overcome, all the miracles we've witnessed, and knowing that for the rest of my life, this little girl (who will outlive me gosh dangitt!) will be a reminder of how amazing our life is.