LUCAS!! Echo cardiogram, EKG, Exercise Stress test and Cardiac Visit

Such a goofball!  : )

This exercise stress test was interesting.  You worked hard.  But had to lay down to recover.  They had you monitored and watched what your heart did.  The doctor explained that the in charge part of the heart stopped working briefly so it made you feel faint.  Once you caught your breath and rested a few you felt better.  You did a little better than last year and won't have to do this test next year unless you have any symptoms.  (Frequently feeling faint)  You mentioned that one time this summer you felt this way on your bike, but it was a hot day also.  He did say that you should listen to your body since its is telling you it needs to rest (or it will take you down-make you faint)

Maybe the best waiting room ever?

We watched almost all of spiderman into the spiderverse while they tried to get good pictures in your echocardiogram.  You were so patient and they were very nice.

13 stickers, 13 years old.  Making the staff laugh and putting people at ease.  You are doing so great.  On the drive in to downtown salt lake I cried thinking that we don't even have to worry about this every day like we thought we might!!  Makes me teary with gratitude.

The doctor and his student spent lots of time with us going over the reasons you can't do contact sports/football.  You know this but we asked about Jui Jitsu.  He said " I wouldn't be very excited about giving someone the chance to strike you in the heart." Me either my man!  

We talked at length about your enlarged aortic valve.  And when they might intervene and what other diagnoses face this same type of problem.  Right now it has been stable for the past few years.  Not getting worse is actually great. 

The other thing you can't do is power lifting because of the stress it would put on the heart, but you already knew this too.  

We got there at about 815 and didn't leave until noon!  Lots of tests and information to go over.

I didn't even capture a picture with the doctors, but I was interested in what they went over and the questions they had for you and how they answered yours.

Ronald Mcdonald house, host a craft night with my kids

 Making a monster.  

Ronald McDonald House delivery!

My mom had this great idea to have her Bunco group bring toys instead of gifts for each other so we took them to the Ronald Mcdonald House.  We also got a tour of the house and space.  I got so teary a handful of times and Lucas was so excited and had great ideas and really 'gets' how important this place was for us when he was born.  My heart.

Eleven years

 These pictures are 11 years apart to the day.

His scar has grown with him.  I should have had him hold up a finger where the scar starts now at the top of his sternum

Ronald McDonald House- Salt Lake City Edition!!

Here was the serving and clean up crew!  The picture accidentally had a filter on it so I tried to brighten it up- Oh dear!
L- R Lisa, Me, Ryanne, Julia, my dad- Dave, my mom- Sheila, Jason, Laura, Jeff, Ben, Barbara and Luke.

Here is the preperation crew!
L-R John, Neils, Barbara, me, Natalie, my dad, Jason, Jeff, my mom, Julia and Luke

My mom made her homemade rolls to serve the sloppy joes on.  Some people came back for more homemade bread, or took a plate of bread only:)

Great Aunt Shauna watched our kids while we went downtown to Salt Lake City to prepare and serve dinner to all the folks staying at the Ronald McDonald House.  

It was such an heart filling experience to serve side by side with our families.  Our siblings and parents and one niece were incredible workers with us.  I felt so much love for all of them and compassion for all those coming through the line.  It also brings to surface those tucked away emotions of worry and vulnerability.  And then hearing a few other stories makes you undeniably grateful for the one that is yours.  

As we were driving away from the event that night, I felt as if my own heart might explode with the overwhelming love and compassion I felt, from my family, from the folks we served, and even towards us as I reflected on what it was like to need the services of the Ronald McDonald house so dearly.  I am even teared up as I write this post.  

The next day I felt so exhausted.  Satisfied and happy, but EXHAUSTED.  Emotionally and spiritually it is awakening to feel the healing that happens when I talk about my experience.  Jeff said to me what will it be like when Lucas is old enough to help us with this?  Made me so happy to think that he will be able to!!  I am so thankful for our baby boy and what he brings to our world!  The love and energy and enthusiasm he shares is totally contagoius.  When we got to Aunt Shauna's he said you are my GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT Aunt!  She smiled and said I didn't even have to coach you on that:)

Here is the picture we showed:

I forgot I usually write the year on there-- 2012 to 2017

5 and a half years!  I am still so thankful.