February is Congenital Heart Disease/Disorder month, its noit just about Valentines Day for us now. We celebrated and shared information on what Alessandros condition is and what other types of CHD’s there are.
In February not much had changed to Alessandros care. Adjustsment were made to his Berlin Heart machine, those changes helped him as he has contiuned to grow and be even more mobile. Alessandro has been taking steps assisted either by one of our many therapist or by mom/dad.
One big issue that started in February was a wound developed around his cannula site due to him moving so much. The team of doctors dont see many CHD children his age being so mobile. So it has been a bit of a learing curve for all of us to see how to fully support Alessandro to heal from this wound.
The team had used a wound vacuum to see if that would help but it only added more irritation and brusing around his abdomen area.
They tried using strips of sliver and that was unsuccessful. Next they used collagen and that started to work immiditely! After 4 weeks his wound had started to fully heal and he was back to being his “normal” self.
During the 4 weeks, we would constantly use an abdomen band to help support him while standing on our and during Physical/Occupational Therapy. Even after healing, we are still using the band.
On February 11, Teddy Bruschi a former NFL Super Bowl Champion for the New England Patrios visited Alessandro. Teddy is a two time stroke survivor and shared a very funny facetime moment with Dad and his coworker while visiting Alessandros room. He signed a footbal for Alessandro and he was even brave enough to let him hold his Super Bowl Ring! Alessandro didn’t find the ring interesting so he dropped it right away, thankfully right on to the crib. No harm No Foul.
February was a very wet month so that ment alot of indoor cuddles and alot of window rain watching as well as movies with everyone on the floor. Could not picture a better way to spend the day together in the hospital.
February ended with no heart offers for Alessandro, we continue to wait for the call.
