The Latest and Greatest
We had a positive week! We've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from our friends and family. Your kind messages and thoughtful gestures mean the world to us. We truly appreciate every word, and hearing from you lifts our spirits more than you know. Thank you for your continued support.
We think Baby P is feeling the love too! At our recent visit with Dr. Doshi, our fetal cardiologist, we received some encouraging news. After nearly an hour of detailed heart imaging, she shared that Baby P’s heart is growing well. Since his last growth spurt, his pulmonary valve—which will eventually become the aortic valve—has shown marked improvement. There is now greater symmetry between the two valves, the valve is opening as it should, and the speed of his blood flow looks normal. This was especially reassuring since earlier scans showed more limited valve function. His values are also not leaking which is a good sign. Overall, Dr. Doshi confirmed that Baby P’s heart is functioning strongly.
She explained that the decision to perform an initial balloon procedure after birth will depend on Baby P’s oxygen levels at that time. The procedure can help improve oxygen flow if needed to stabilize him before his open-heart surgery. His condition will be assessed immediately after birth, and the medical team will determine whether the procedure is necessary.
We have one more echocardiogram scheduled before delivery. As Baby P continues to grow, it’s getting more difficult to capture clear images of his heart—his expanding ribcage has a lot to do with that.
Looking ahead, we’ll begin weekly check-ups with our OB, Dr. Artoun. These visits will include non-stress tests and growth ultrasounds to continue to monitor Baby P’s progress.
In mid-June, we’ll attend a family planning meeting with our full care team from CHOC and St. Joseph Hospital, where Joyce will deliver. This meeting will help us coordinate all logistics and ensure we’re as prepared as possible. We’ll also have the chance to tour both facilities, including the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), where Baby P will be cared for after birth. We’ve been told he’ll have his own room, and once he’s stable, we’ll have full access to be with him.
In between appointments, we even managed to sneak in a little lunch date—where Mitch discovered his new favorite beer from Captain Fatty’s Brewing Company. BONUS! (See entry photo.)