For 9 months now, today’s appointment has had a way of merging itself into existence, leaving me to ponder its future outcome. Sporadically sprinkling in moments of fear of the unknown. About 2 years ago Austin was sent to see a pediatric cardiologist. After an ECG, an Echo and a MRI, it was found that not only did he have Mitral Valve Prolapse (a fairly common condition, I have it), a Bicuspid Aortic Valve (another common condition, one of my sister’s have it), but that he also has an area of dilation above the aortic valve. He was immediately restricted from absolutely all sports and caffeine (right down to chocolate), as the doctor was concerned that the dilation could grow and burst. The doctor had initially talked of putting Austin on Beta Blockers to slow the flow of his blood and pressure on that area, but another patient with the same condition had experienced enlargement while taking the medicine. We followed the doctor’s orders pretty strictly; he had a couple more Echo(s) that showed no enlargement. So we slowly started allowing Austin to do the things that he loved, factoring in the idea of “allowing him to be a kid”. So in the past 9 months, we have allowed Austin to start training for local motocross racing. He had a couple of spills and I have been wondering their impact on his condition and if we would have to again pull him from the things he loves. Today he had his 4th Echo, which showed that the dilation has remained the same. He is currently at 2.7 cm and surgery will not be required until it reaches 4.5 cm. His first race is this Saturday and he is pretty excited to be able to move forward with it. Needless to say, it’s been a pretty good day.
never miss this
Permanent link to this article: http://www.missingtheground.com/2012/06/monday-its-not-that-bad/
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Harmony
Exactly, JL, life is to be lived! And the thing about not being a doormat, so true. So true. Which was the cause of Austin’s fights that year, overcoming being bullied. He was so worried about making a bad impression on his teachers for fighting back. I told him that the staff of the school will have to follow protocol and enforce necessary punishments to those involved in a fight, but that they all know what kind of kid he is and that they would all be secretly applauding him. I also, might have said something along the lines of “Keep punching until there is blood or someone pulls you off, preferably the latter”. I’m typically a pretty peaceful person, but it’s pretty damn upsetting when your child is suffering. At any rate, he took my advice and the bullying stopped.
Thanks, IR & TB
Ant (my husband) started Austin off on the motorcycle when he was 3. For the longest time Austin has enjoyed riding, but never put any real effort into it. This new found dedication to it has my husband on cloud 9. TB, our track in the pasture is all dust at this time of year…we need a water truck. Maybe y’all can fundraise for that.
June 20 2012 -
Travellinbaen
Harmony, it goes without saying I echo everyone’s happiness regarding the good news!
I also think his motocross racing is the coolest thing ever. When I was a kid and imagined what life was like for a California kid, I always assumed it had a lot to do with bad ass jumps and dusty skid-turns.
June 20 2012 -
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Jessie Lou
Congrats on a good review! I don’t envy the anxiety you will feel while racing but life is to be lived.
You were dead on with advice on fighting – the natural instinct is to go for the weak spot. If you have one that is well known it isn’t so good. I’m not known for ever telling someone to be a doormat – just got to be careful how you go about it.
June 20 2012 -
Harmony
It’s definitely good news, it even issued me a sigh of relief…which was nothing short of heavenly. It’s crazy when your child has health problems, the teetering involved of being overly cautious to allowing them to be children, or wondering if you’re doing more harm than good, and making sure your child knows that it doesn’t define them. That was the hardest with Austin, as he liked the attention of something being wrong with him..I had to nip that in the bud quickly.
In fact, one day he got into a fight at school (he didn’t start it, he was standing up for himself..which I allow) and was upset that the kid was purposefully trying to punch him in the chest… “Mom, he knows that I have a condition!” he told me disgusted. I laughed, “That’s the thing about fighting it gets ugly and people usually tend to go for the weak spots. So, now you have 2 options lay low, keep your mouth shut and stay out of trouble or fight.” Anyway…
Austin is pretty cautious while riding, but I know racing will be different..I’ll definitely remember to breath (hopefully).
June 19 2012 -
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just remember to breath while he’s racing…
take a leap