Colt's Cardiologist Checkup

Colt had his checkup yesterday with cardiologist, the wonderful Dr. Cottrill, I was thinking it was going to be the surgery discussion talk, and I really have been so stressed about it for the past month, but Colt is still only 28.5 lbs. and his surgeon wants him to be at least 30 pounds.

Thanks to the Lord, Dr. Cottrill said  30 lbs. is not the magic number, it is all about how well Colt's and his body function with his specially as Bradley calls it "re-plumbed heart". Colt's oxygen is up to 83%, which considering this time last year was hanging about in the low 70's, he is doing remarkable well, no surgery at least for awhile, we go back in August for his tests again. Colt is a strong and courageous fighter, we are very blessed, what more in life could I possibly ask God for.

The story of my feet hitting the ground

I have been worrying hard for the past month about Colt’s upcoming open heart surgery and how we were going to pay for this operation since we no longer have any health insurance, I had carried all the health insurance on our family through my employer HP since Bradley was self-employed and then when I got laid off, we got really lucky because with our Colt qualified for a medical card up until December 1, 2011. Then came the panic and worry, I received a letter notifying us that we made to much money with me getting unemployment, regardless that I am going to college full time, so I can get a graduate and get back to work. Their income guidelines are for a family of 3 is 37,000 before taxes and we were about 6,000 over the limit now. Me upset and in tears went down to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and tried to explain our situation about Colt’s Heart and that he was going to have to have another open heart surgery and the lady there, flat out told me she did not care and that we made to much money. I was told by a friend to try to apply for (SSI) Supplemental Social Income for Colt since his condition (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome) fall in the Compassionate Care Allowance, that once approved for that he would get reapproved for a medical card regardless of Bradley’s and my income, sure they deemed him disabled, but again we made to much money for Colt to qualify, I would care less about Colt getting any money, all I was hoping for him to get medical coverage.
I found out that no other individual insurance company would cover a child only or let us add Colt to an individual plan because of his heart condition and then the one company I found turns out since he had more than 63-day lapse from his medical card till now, I would be wasting my time sending in his application they would not cover his pre-existing condition.

Yeah, good news in regards to the health care reform about covering pre-existing conditions, bad news it doesn’t go into until 2014.



Question: What material things would you give up to save your child’s life?


My Answer: I would give it all up, my house that the banks owns most of, my car, everything else is material and people aren't and they can't be replaced.


It’s crazy but I keep singing the song by the Newsboys.

GOD’s NOT DEAD, he’s surely alive, HE’s LIVIN on the INSIDE ROARIN’ LIKE A LION!

In my case, roarin' like a momma lion! I am not going to let this break me, I trust in my God, we will find a way!

Let the people in your life know what they mean to you and that you love them.

God Bless All and wishing you all joy!
Miss

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month -~ Raise Awareness ~ Spread Hope

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) account for 24% of infant deaths due to birth defects.In the United States, about 4,800 (or 11.6 per 10,000) babies born every year have one of seven critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs, which also are known collectively in some instances as critical congenital heart disease). These seven CCHDs are hypoplastic left heart syndrome, pulmonary atresia (with intact septum), tetralogy of Fallot, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, transposition of the great arteries, tricuspid atresia, and truncus arteriosus.


Babies with one of these CCHDs are at significant risk of disability or death if their CCHD is not diagnosed soon after birth. These seven CCHDs among some babies potentially can be detected using pulse oximetry screening, which is a test to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood and pulse rate. Other heart defects can be just as severe as these seven CCHDs and also require treatment soon after birth. However, pulse oximetry screening may not detect these heart defects as consistently as the seven disorders listed as CCHDs.


For all the CHD survivors, keep fighting, for their parents never ever lose faith nor hope. Be thankful for every moment you have with your precious child.


For these precious babies who lost their battle with CHD, we will always remember and never forget, let us find some comfort that you no longer feel pain and you are will the father in Heaven.


When I was 5 months pregnant and we found out about Colt’s Heart, I only broke down a few times and finally I reignited my relationship to God and I gave it all up to him, my fears and worries and from that point my feet have only once touched the ground(but that is another story to be told later), the rest of the way he has carried me. I am thankful for my God and grateful that he gave us a son.


We go back to see Dr. Cottrill on February 20, 2011 for a follow-up and an echo. Dr. Plunkett would like to have Colt weighing at least 30 pounds before his 3rd and hopefully last open heart surgery. I will be sure to post an update then, I promise!!!!