Nathan's New Doctor

A couple weeks back we found ourselves in the ER in a city about 2 hours from home.  Nathan had gotten a sliver of a sunflower seed stuck in his tonsil.  Painless removal and we were on our way.  But, during the exam by the ER doc she looked at me and said, "Has anyone ever said anything about his heart?"  I panicked..."No," I responded.  She told me to follow up the following week with his doctor as she heard a murmur in his heart.  She thought she heard something in 2 valves.  I called our doc. Dr. McDonald delivered Nathan and I have come to trust her with my life.  They said she didn't have an appointment available for over a month.  I told them that wasn't going to work and he was going to get seen that week.

So, last Friday we went to see Dr. McDonald.  She too heard something in his heart. She expressed concern because she had never heard it before and wants to know why it suddenly developed.  She said it wasn't hard to hear at all and obviously there.  She referred him to a pediatric cardiologist.  I teared up a bit...it's just scary.  Nathan saw me crying and said, "Don't cry mom.  I'm going to be just fine."  

The cardiologist happens to be the dad of one of Nathan's friends from preschool.  So, even though I don't know Dr. Kim I feel a connection that makes seeing him a little more comfortable.  Our doctor said it could be something that they just have to follow up on with routine cardiologist visits or on the other extreme it could be something that could require a heart surgery.  We're praying for the routine visit part.

Today, at 1:30pm, Nathan will see Dr. Kim.  From what I understand, he will have an EKG as well as an ultrasound on his heart.  The office said we will leave the appointment with results.  I'm praying...a lot...that the results are something simple and non-worrisome.  Our Pastor asked Russell Sunday how things were going as we had put Nathan on the prayer list.  Russell's response, "Nathan is doing fine.  His Mom and Dad are a mess."  That sums it up.  We're putting on a strong face for Nathan...but really we are terrified.  I'd be lying if I said I haven't cried simply because I'm scared.

In the meantime, another preschool mom reached out to me via Facebook and gave me some comfort.  Her son has been a patient of Dr. Kim for a while now.  She had nothing but wonderful things to say about the office as a whole.  That is good to hear! 

So, today at about 1:30pm, take a quick moment and say a prayer for Nathan...and for us.  Pray that we have nothing but good news...or news easily handled. 

Update: Nathan had an EKG and an echo-cardiogram.  Both came out showing no abnormalities!  Thank God!  He has what is called an 'innocent murmur.'  That means it's there, they don't know why, but it isn't causing any issues.