Another Hill boy's Update

We had Aaron's echo done earlier this month. The good news was that his murmur was totally innocent. Which was what we totally expected. However, we did find something. We found out that he has a right coronary artery (RCA) anomaly. His RCA branches out on the left side of his heart (by the left coronary artery) instead of the right side normally. The problem with this is that as it comes across the heart to the right side it goes in between the pulmonary artery (PA) and his aorta. What this causes is when he exerts himself with running and sports his RCA gets kinked by the PA and aorta with the increased heart rate causing lack of blood flow to the right side of his heart. Basically like little heart attacks. The cardiologist reassured us that this really isn't a huge problem until he active in competitive sports in high school. So, we are getting yearly echoes until then and when he's old enough we'll do a treadmill test to actually see how much damage happens on the right side of his heart with exertion. And when the time comes to fix it, it will be open heart surgery. Time will tell. The good thing about time is that by then I can only imagine the medical advances and maybe it'll be a simple procedure and not open heart surgery. Here's a picture of the heart so you can see what it should look like and imagine how Aaron's is.


Now for the best news yet. Wyatt had his hearing tested a week after Aaron's echo and his hearing is fine. Completely normal for a 2 year old. We already knew this because of the advances in his speech since his surgery but it was still awesome to get it in writing from the professionals!!

The next hurdle is Wyatt's appointment on Tuesday with the hematologist. I'll let everyone know how it goes. We have had a really busy and exhausting year but, it still was a good one. I can't believe that it's almost over. I hope next year will be just as good as this one if not better! I will post about Christmas in a few days. I don't have the pictures uploaded yet. Soon though, really soon!

Happy New Year!!

It Is the Season of Hope!

I keep hoping this blog will catch on, but the last post 11 days ago was mine. I know things are happening in your lives....please tell us about them.

Jim and I are finishing up the semester and plan to leave for Bryce Canyon for 3 days on Sunday after church. We are taking our snowshoes in hopes we can use them there. David reported that Bryce had a record-breaking -11 earlier this week, so we might just be sitting by the fire for e days. We are staying at the famous Ruby's Inn--great winter rates and a special deal of 3 nights for the price of 2. We are looking forward to a little break. Then we will return on Wednesday to get ready for Christmas. All the local family will be coming over for dinner--we are really looking forward to that.

Tis the Season

This is such a busy time of year for Jim and me. The end of semester is always a killer and we are right in the middle of final projects, grading, and preparing final exams. We will both finish teaching for this semester by Thursday of this week, then comes finals week, and then a 2 week break for me and a 3 week break for Jim. We are really looking forward to some time off.

Our Thanksgiving trip to Coral Pink Sand Dunes was utterly delightful and we hated to see our trailering season come to an end. Jim and our home teacher winterized the trailer yesterday and put the winter cover on it, so it is in mothballs until the weather warms up again. We can't wait to get on those 4-wheelers again. We have so much fun. We are thinking we might just take my truck on a Christmas trip for 4-5 days to Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and maybe the Grand Staircase and Escalante. We haven't decided for sure yet.

We are delighted with Scott and Caroline's announcement of a baby on the way. I have ordered a redheaded girl, but it really won't matter!!! That will make 10 grandchildren. How blessed I am!