Journal entry by Sara Houser —
Good news, Oliver returned to school this past week and is enjoying getting back into the groove of things. Next week, Oliver and I along with the rest of his 8th grade class will travel to Washington DC for a whirlwind tour. Personally, I'm looking forward to the warmer weather--come on spring!
On April 1, Oliver had a post-operative CT exam at Boston Children's Hosptial. We learned that his cardiac veins, atria, great arteries, and pericardium all look good, with no abnormalities detected. Additionally, his thyroid and esophagus look good, large airways are normal, and his sternotomy appears intact.
Also discovered, is that his left lower lung lobe shows bibasilar atelectasis (lower part of the lung partially collapses) which is consistent with air-trapping/small airways disease--a common breathing problem after surgery. Additionally it appears that some of his lymph nodes (in the chest cavity around his lungs, near his aorta, and around his trachea) are enlarged and swollen--but this hasn't changed since his previous CT in January. We'll continue to keep an eye on them to ensure they don't increase in size.
Until then, were doing our best to keep it "normal" around here. He'll continue to be on a host of activity restrictions and a 10lb weight limitation for awhile. Trying to figure out where he'll go to High School next year; continue with symphonic and jazz bands, and drum lessons; staying active in Boy Scouts; and taking an art class. His next cardio appointment in a month on May 8th.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!
On April 1, Oliver had a post-operative CT exam at Boston Children's Hosptial. We learned that his cardiac veins, atria, great arteries, and pericardium all look good, with no abnormalities detected. Additionally, his thyroid and esophagus look good, large airways are normal, and his sternotomy appears intact.
Also discovered, is that his left lower lung lobe shows bibasilar atelectasis (lower part of the lung partially collapses) which is consistent with air-trapping/small airways disease--a common breathing problem after surgery. Additionally it appears that some of his lymph nodes (in the chest cavity around his lungs, near his aorta, and around his trachea) are enlarged and swollen--but this hasn't changed since his previous CT in January. We'll continue to keep an eye on them to ensure they don't increase in size.
Until then, were doing our best to keep it "normal" around here. He'll continue to be on a host of activity restrictions and a 10lb weight limitation for awhile. Trying to figure out where he'll go to High School next year; continue with symphonic and jazz bands, and drum lessons; staying active in Boy Scouts; and taking an art class. His next cardio appointment in a month on May 8th.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!
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