Three's a Charm

Hank's three months old today!

Not a care in the world, snoozin' away...

When i returned from my weekend at home, Henry looked so good to me. His face was bright, eyes clear, alert. He is basically the same as my last thoughtful entry. The only new 'news' at this point is that one of the cardiologists on the unit, Dr. Shatner, approached me yesterday to discuss Henry's cleft lip/palate game plan. If you'll remember, we had an initial, positive consult in Rochester to discuss his options and to meet with the CNP there. That was on Good Friday. By Easter Sunday, we were back here in Philly, so a follow-up appointment the next week never happened.

Dr. Shatner was telling me that CHOP's cardiac anesthesiologist was concerned that Rochester was not equipped to handle his heart anomalies and anesthetizing him properly. I politely countered that worry with the fact that we were offered, basically, two options at birth for Henry's care: Rochester or Philly. We picked Philly. So i can't imagine why Rochester would not be capable.

However, there is certainly something to be said about Henry establishing himself at CHOP. *EVERYONE* here is very familiar with Henry. Nurses who do not have him for their shift come back to say 'hi' and to see how we're doing. The anesthesiologists basically say "hi Mom... same ol same ol" every time they need consent (no, not literally, but you get it). There is also something to be said about 'recreating the wheel' and the avoidance of such.

I was all for using Rochester, on Good Friday. And to be honest, i haven't put much thought into it since we've been here, especially since i was assured that time was not "of the essence" in getting started. The cleft lip repair can start anywhere between 3 to 6 months and Henry, at the time, was only 2.5 mos. old. Now that he's 3 mos old, chit-chatter is more active.

So my wheels have begun turning again. This will be news to Ron as he reads this. And for now, no decisions have been made. But the more i think along the lines of my last long heart-felt entry, the more I'm wondering if it WOULDN'T be best that Henry receive his cleft repair here. In case you are thinking "well, DUH, yeah, why WOULDN'T he?," here are a couple easy reasons. One, the biggest: location; Rochester is closer. Two: If they choose one repair option over another (yes, there are options), it can be a difference of weekly visits versus bi-weekly or even monthly. This is pre-operative. I think that once he receives the main surgery for repair, there is only a follow-up once and that is that. IDEALLY.

But that's my point - Henry doesn't seem to be fitting any sort of schedule about much of anything, and if we started cleft lip repair in Rochester and he was brought back to CHOP spontaneously in the middle of that process, then we'd have two facilities trying to 'work on him' at the same time versus just CHOP.

Much to consider. Nothing CRAZY, but at some point soon, a final decision will need to be made.

Oh Henry - - I love ya, buddy. You looked at me today and smiled and then went back to 'runnin' in my arms, your limbs chugging actively. And the best part? You started TALKING to me! Cooing and ahhing and oohing. Just so content in your little vibrating bouncy seat (where's the adult-sized version?) watching me change your bed linens. And we've been enjoying Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune every night too, haven't we? A Telford Family tradition, it seems. Hank is frustrated with the idiots on Wheel just as much as me. Just last night he yelled out, "Oh C'MON - - why are you buying vowels when you OBVIOUSLY know the answer!?!?" Then we high-fived.