To More of Mikey !!

Poolin' around...
10-05-00

Mikey just returned from Tulsa last night. We made use of the pool while we were there this week, and Mikey got to ride on a great white (shark) dad! He seems to be doing a little better. They are gradually going to cut back on his medicines and hopefully that will help Mikey's stomach problems. He has been taking the maximum doses on all of his meds. We will probably be visiting his cardiologist monthly as his medicines are gradually decreased. Thanks for your prayers, and.. Thank You, Father, for all you've done and continue to do for our Mikey.

It's hard to believe, but it's been 4 months now since we left the hospital and Mikey has done so well. Mikey is still weaker than other children, lacks in stamina and he can get short of breath... but, he's getting stronger and he can do mostly anything he wants. Other than the weakness and some stomach problems, he would have to remove his shirt and expose his scars, for anyone to know that he is any different than any other child his age. He is still monitored closely and will remain on many medications.

One would have to go back and visit Mikey's pages to believe what Mikey has been through... and just what God has brought us through. Mikey is a loveable child.. always has been. He loves life and he loves to smile and laugh. We are very blessed and cherish every minute with Mikey. Thank You, Lord!





Wednesday afternoon, Oct 11th

Mikey was right in the middle of his physical therapy when he heard that familiar sound.. the ice cream man was coming, so he had to run out to the curb and hail 'em down. I remember running out to the curb wavin' a dime when I was little, but nowadays a kid had better have some foldin' money if'n he wants any ice cream! In today's picture, you can see him by the truck, making his selection (a Pokemon sickle, today). Mikey seems to be getting a little bit of an appetite back, which has made him a little stronger and given him some more energy. Usually when we pick him up at school he can barely drag his feet to the car, but these last few days he has ran across the schoolyard out to the car.. Thank You, Father!



10-23-00
Mikey is doing very well. He even seems to be showing a little improvement in his appetite. It's hard to believe it's the end of October already. Bubba's birthday was yesterday.. our wedding anniversary is friday (27 years, whew!).. and next weekend we set our clocks back again.

Diva Nancze made the graphic shown below for Mikey to give Mom and Dad on their special day:





11-10-00
It's a cool morning in Ft. Smith. Mikey is showing off his 2 awards before leaving the house for school. One is the "Extra Effort" certificate he was awarded at his school. The other is a cassette tape he won again, for perfect attendance in his Sunday school class. Mikey was sick for a few days and running a fever, but he's feeling much better now, and he will be going to see his cardiologist next week.

Church, birthdays, school, holidays... we're enjoying them all so much more with Mikey this year, after all he has been through. We thank God everyday for every minute we have to enjoy with Mikey. Thanks again to everyone for their prayers, and... Thank You, Lord!



11-15-00
Mikey spent the night in Tulsa and got in a little swimming time again. We were expecting Mikey's meds to be decreased slightly this trip, but his xrays indicate that his heart has enlarged. The doctor explained that perhaps Mikey didn't take a large enough breath when the xray was taken.. hiding his ribs and causing his heart to just "appear" to be larger. Irregardless, swelling of the heart would indicate a build-up of fluid, which could be serious (i.e congestive heart failure again), so the higher doses of his medications will continue and Mikey will have to return to Tulsa in a few weeks to be checked again.

We saw a new cardiologist Tuesday. We're so sorry to report that Mikey's regular cardiologist, Dr. Charles Cooper, died suddenly and unexpectedly Monday night. We didn't learn of his death until the next morning, before Mikey's appointment. Mikey (and all of us) loved Dr. Cooper. Dr. Cooper has cared for Mikey since birth. Shortly after Mikey's birth, he performed the balloon valvuloplasty that saved Mikey's life. A few days later he directed another life-saving shunt-placement procedure. When Mikey was 9 months old, yet another shunt operation was directed by Dr. Cooper, again saving Mikey's life and giving him time to grow big enough and strong enough to survive the major heart surgeries that were ahead. Dr. Cooper was instrumental in the direction of Mikey's open-heart surgery and pacemaker surgeries that were performed by the pediatric heart surgeon, Dr. Ranne, just months ago. Dr. Cooper was a great doctor to work with children.. always proffessional, yet patient and compassionate. He will be missed. Our prayers are with his family and friends.



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