This is Our Struggle

After a successful delivery, we were thrilled that Eliana's slightly early arrival wasn't an issue.  Of course, we knew we had the kidney issue to tackle, but by all accounts she was a healthy, happy baby.  After speaking to the urology team, we were more than confident that her abnormal first trimester screen meant nothing. Unfortunately, a few hours before being discharged on Monday, a doctor came to tell us that they heard a murmur and needed to do an echo-cardiogram.  Having been through this process with both Mia and Ava, we weren't all that concerned.  Eliana was gone for a really long time, which made me anxious.  Eventually, she returned and all that was left to do was wait for a doctor to read her scan.  Hours passed before we were joined by a doctor with less-than-stellar bedside manner.  Basically, she said, "I have good news and bad news; the good news is you can still go home today, the bad news is Eliana has a small hole between two of her heart chambers".  Without any further explanation, we were told to follow up with a cardiologist in two weeks and be extra vigilant about her health.  Mate didn't seem too thrown off by the news, but I was a bit of a mess.  Between all the testing for chromosomal abnormalities and the kidney issue, this felt like a lot to take.  Once again, we were left with the all-too-familiar realization that this is our struggle.  You can read more about that here or here.

Thankfully, at Eliana's first out-patient appointment yesterday, we were given more information about her heart.  When murmurs are this small and heard this early on, it's a good sign.  In many cases, the defect will fix itself.  Wouldn't it have been nice if the doctor in the hospital could have told us that???  Anyway, we still have to be extra cautious about Eliana's health, so only people who have had the flu shot are allowed to visit until she is at least 6 weeks old.  I swear my mom made it to the pharmacy and back to get her shot before I even finished telling her she needed it.  It's a bummer we're a bit home-bound with her, but we'll do anything to keep her healthy. This next month is full of follow-up appointments and I'm hopeful for more good news.  I'm thinking all three of our little ladies have put us through enough worries to last a lifetime, which must mean they're going to be the sweetest teenagers, ever.