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On May 4, 2009, Josh and I discovered that our soon to be little girl, due on August 25th, would be born with a CHD known as HLHS (hypo-plastic left heart syndrome). Upon hearing "something is wrong with your baby's heart" our lives changed completely. Our little Ruth Elizabeth was brought into this world on August 18, 2009. She was delivered via c-section and rushed immediately from Barnes to Childrens' Hospital for a cardiac cath intervention. Her arial septum was reopened and a week later, Ruthie underwent her first open heart surgery, the Norwood. Unfortunately, Ruthie was not able to survive on her Norwood heart and the Glenn procedure would not work for her. Ruthie was placed on the heart transplant list Feb.3, 2010. After waiting in SLCH, Ruthie received a new heart on July 5, 2010. We are so humbly blessed to receive this gift of life. We now are on the road to recovery. We have had our ups and downs. We have become SLCH regulars due to countless hospital stays and ER visits. We are learning how to manage life outside of SLCH and with another little girl. Now that we have two children, we are learning the about being a heart FAMILY.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

12.2.09

Cardiologist Appointment

Posted Dec 2, 2009 7:28pm

Tuesday, November 24th: Cardiologist Appointment
We followed up with Dr. Goel after Ruth's heart cath on November 18th. He did order an echo for her in order to see why her heart was still functioning poorly and if there was any reason why she would be swollen. Her poor little hands, feet and eyes were so puffy after the cath. After a long doctor's visit, Dr. Goel decided to put her on lasik again in order to help drain the extra fluid. We were told to keep an extra eye on her sleeping, eating and everyday habits over the holiday weekend and then we would return to him on Monday, November 30th to follow up.

Monday, November 30th: Follow Up
We returned to Dr. Goel's office a changed baby. Ruth looked much better and her feet, hands, and face were no longer puffy. He checked her O2 stats and they were hanging in the lower 70s rather than the upper 60s like the week prior. Her eating habits have also changed since the start of her lasik. She is now eating anywhere from 20-23 oz a day (before she was at 17-19). It is amazing how much happier Ruth seems to be now that she isn't swollen. We have a week full of doctor's visits starting December 15th. Until then we are just taking it all in day by day. We are truly appreciating all the time we get to spend with her.

Please pray for Nadine and Josh, parents to Hailey (HLHS baby). Today, God chose to take their angel back to heaven. RIP Hailey: 7/18/09- 12/2/09. Your life, albeit short, was extremely precious. May you now watch over your family and friends and help guide them through this incredible journey.

It is in moments like this, that you stop and cherish every moment you have had with your HLHS baby. Life is so preicous.

Big heart hugs and prayers for you all!
Josh, Laura and Ruthie
Heart Hugs from on

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