~ After we left the Hospital ~

This was taken 10/29/95 Ten *days* after surgery. The next day Timmy had an appointment with Dr. Paul Herndon at Belleview Cardiology Clinic. All was well and we could go home!

We were told NOT to take him to day care, birthday parties etc. during this time. We kept our hands washed etc. He DID seem to get flu's, colds etc. really easy for even longer than the 6 weeks. We were also not to lift him by the underarms for 6+ weeks. That was *very* hard to remember after having 4 children! (It's so "natural" to lift that way:)

We flew home on Halloween 1995. The same flight attendant on Alaska Airlines had been working the day we flew south & was so happy to see Timmy! She smuggled Kurt & I both a drink as a celebration. She said we could now relax... Kurt drank both drinks :) We will never forget the kindness she showed us. Friends & relatives met us at the airport with banners, balloons & smiles!

Our community had come together and collected money to help us with our extra bills etc. The Moose Lodge had donated plane tickets. We felt so blessed to have a GOOD outcome.

Timothy got very sick the following Christmas & we spent the day in the ER. After talking with Children's Hospital, we were told to stop all drugs and see how he does. They felt he may have had a weight drop (dehydration from the flu) and there was too much drug for his weight. He did wonderful! From 12/25/95 (2 months & 6 days after surgery) Timmy has been off ALL drugs and done well.

When Timothy gets a *real* bad flu, they run blood tests to rule out "endocarditic". The dr. has given him anti-viral medication (Flumadine 50mg/5ml syrup) to help the length & severity of the virus. This works fast and helps him a lot.