So, how is Barrett doing?

So many people ask us how Barrett is doing and what's funny is that I have to stop and think, "Why are they asking me that?"  and then I remember.... "Oh yeah, his heart surgery!"  That may seem strange, but it seems like it never happened sometimes, but I guess that is a good thing!  He is doing great!  He has tons of energy (more than before the surgery).  If you were meeting him for the first time, you would never know...

Barrett had his 2nd post-surgery follow up at the end of January.  His blood pressure was still a little too high for the cardiologist to start weaning him off of the blood pressure meds.  She said that it can take awhile for the heart to adjust and realize that it doesn't have to work as hard.  We have another follow up at the end of May.  Hopefully, this one will provide better news as far as coming off the meds.  After this appointment, Barrett should only have to go in for an annual check up.

Barrett and Jayna are both starting Spring Ball in a few weeks.  We double checked with the cardiologist to make sure that it would be okay for Barrett to play and she agreed that t-ball is fine for him.  When he is about 7-8, he will have to get clearance from the doctor before he can participate in sports.  From what she described, it kind of sounds like they will do a stress test, but she never called it that.  She did say something about him being on a treadmill.

This visit was very simple in comparison to the first follow up where they did an x-ray, echo cardiogram, etc. On this most recent visit, the doctor only listened to his heart, felt his pulse in his foot, and the nurse took his blood pressure - pretty simple stuff.  She said that we will have an echo cardiogram on the next visit to double check the repair.

So that is the latest on the bear!  Thank you so much to everyone who asks about him and please don't think I am crazy if I pause when you ask the question!  Ha ha!

 Not sure about this one...

 He is so cool

Love that the waiting room has entertainment! :)