February is Heart Month including CHD Awareness

Angelica is doing great.  She is very happy and playful.  Her cardiologist has pushed out her visits to every 3 months.  We were seeing her every month previously so it has been nice to get some time in between appointments.  I often forget that she has a heart condition.  This month has been a reminder of CHD and heart disease.  I've seen several stories of other kiddos.  One that sticks is of a two year old with hypoplastic left heart syndrome that did not make it to her 3rd birthday.  This is a reality for heart babies.  We do not know how long they have.  They will seemingly be healthy but with growth and developmental changes sometimes their little hearts can't keep up.  I do not know what the future holds for Angelica but I have faith.  We cherish every second with her.

Cochlear implant left side update

We turned on her left side last Tuesday.  She showed a response.  She stilled and listened intently.  We recorded her response but it is a 28 minute video.  I will look into editing it and will post once its shortened.  She has been wearing the implant at home.  Initially she fussed when we put them on however we realized it was the hair clip that was causing discomfort.  We removed the hair clip and now she seems to fuss when it is removed.  While she is wearing the implant she does not show much of a response.  She does not look for sound or turn if there is a loud noise.  She is inconsistent with her stilling.  Our audiologist said this is common.  Angelica is hearing for the first time and like a newborn is not aware where the sound is coming from or what the sound is.

I have had several people ask if we will continue to sign if she is hearing.  The answer is yes.  Angelica is deaf and is part of the deaf community.  That will be her main form of communication.  We only have one side at this time that is functioning.  We do not know to what extent she will hear.  She may only hear loud sounds.  Cochlear implants need to be replaced ever 10 year (or so we have been told).  As the device fails in the future I want her to be comfortable without sound.  I still very much want her to attend the school for the deaf and be a part of the deaf community.  I encourage all family and friends to learn sign language.  It is a beautiful language.

Hope everyone is staying warm and flu free!

love,
Amanda, Chris and Angelica