Happy Weekend!

Well, they say if you don't like the weather in Ken Tuck, stick around and it will change soon. Or something along those lines...Anyway..we have run the gamut this week. I dressed the kids in short sleeves Monday and Tuesday. I actually had to dig out short sleeve shirts and found that Mason has pretty much outgrown everything. But the weather was a gorgeous 70 degrees. Wednesday, things started to cool off and when I went to lunch it was SLEETING. Last night, we got about an inch of wet SNOW. It melted quickly and the roads only got wet. But still! It was such a mean trick from old Mother Nature. Hag!
I had a check-up with my cardiologist today. I have switched to a doctor who specializes in adults with congenital issues. The specialization is rather new, but my doc was telling me that this is a good thing that they need adult congenital specialist because it means lots of people like me are living longer and need cardiac care. I really like this new dr.His name is Dr. Markham and he reminds me a lot of my pediatric cardiologist in Birmingham who was my dr for about 12 years, Dr. Colvin. Mr. M is quiet, but super super nice and down to earth. He took a VERY long time with Brandon and I and made sure that we really understood everything. Brandon had more questions that I did. Anyone who knows Brandon completely understands this. Brandon asks a lot of questions. But, I often forget..I have been doing this heart thing for almost 34 years and Brandon is new to the game.
So the results...Dr. Markham said that in a nutshell, I DO have a leaky pulmonary valve. It is a significant leakage. However, I am not currently having any symptoms (shortness of breath, fatigue, numbness, tingling, headaches). I did a stress test last September and had a cardiac MRI at that time as well. He said the results for my stress tests were perfectly average and indicated absolutely no concerns. The cardiac MRI did indicate some issues with pressure in the right ventricle. Today, I had an EKG, echo cardiogram and I am currently wearing a Holter Monitor that I will wear for 24 hours and mail back to Vandy. He said he likes to look at the big picture. None of my pressures (as in pressures within the chambers of my heart) are off the charts and the leaky valve is moderate to severe. He said I WILL need surgery, but it could be in another 10 years. (My other doc said it would be within 2 years so this is a BIG difference) He said right now, he is totally ok with yearly check-ups and just watching it. He said that diet and exercise will have no significant effect for the better or worse. He said there is pretty much nothing I can do to speed up or slow down the progression. It is what it is. He said that if I were to lose some weight within the next few years before I have surgery, I would be ahead of the curve in that I will be in better shape for such a major surgery. He also said that this is not something that will progress so much within 6 months that I will need surgery right away. He went back and looked at an echo cardiogram report from when I was pregnant with Ellie and he said without actually seeing the echo, he thinks the results are pretty much the same as the echo I had today. That is very encouraging news because that means I have pretty much maintained over the last 4 years and two pregnancies.
Sooo...all in all, it was a good appointment. And the only bit of not so great news, in addition to the fact that I WILL have to have a replacement valve at some point: These replacement valves only last 10-15 years. So say I hold out for 8 more years and have the surgery at 42. Then I'd have to have it again between 55 and 60. ICK! But he also said that there is TONS of research and technology with these valves and they are making advances daily so something really big is likely to happen within the next 5 years. There is even a possibility that a new valve could be placed with a less invasive procedure like a catherization.
It is scary stuff, but I will take it as it comes and not worry about what might happen. It is what it is. I have a beautiful family and I am so incredibly blessed. There is no need to wallow in worry over the future. And when I do have surgery, I already know what to expect! So I am ahead of the game in that respect!
So that's it. More info that you ever cared to know! We have a good weekend planned. The kids started a little early and stayed home with mom today. She is still convalescing (but much improved) from her surgery. Brandon and I had to leave to be in Nashville at 6:30 so it just worked out for her to keep them home. Ellie has dance tomorrow and then both kids have our friend Kenzie's First Birthday. After church on Sunday, I start the second phase of YOJ (Year of Jennifer) workout plan and I am going to the YMCA with Biz. YOJ hasn't worked out quite as I had planned, but we are only in March so I still have some time to work it all out.