Follow-Up Appointments in Atlanta

On Aug 8th, we went to Atlanta for our follow up appointments with cardiologist and high risk pregnancy doctor. We were also going to meet the cardiac surgeon that would do Jordan's surgery and tour both hospitals. We were all very nervous because we were so used to hearing bad news. We didn't know what to expect but we knew God was by our side. We saw the cardiologist that morning and got a good report, no other problems other than the HLHS. We were very excited and walked away with no tears! That was the first time in weeks we had a doctors appointment that I hadn't cried. He said he didn't want to see us again until Jordan decided to come into this world.
Our next appointment was with the perinatologist. They started with an ultrasound and said he was right on schedule. He weighed about 4lbs and had a big foot. His foot already measured 2.8 inches. Other than his heart, he is completely health and growing like he is supposed to. We met with the doctor and she said that everything looked good and she would just let me follow up with the perinatologist in Albany. So two appointments down and no tears were shed. And we were getting really good news.
Later that day we toured Northside Hospital where Baby Jordan will be born. They were AWESOME! Everyone was super nice and welcomed us with open arm to make us feel comfortable. They all know our situation and they know we are scared to death. We saw the L&D floor and how things would work that Sunday when they start the process. Then after he is born they will take him to the NICU - they showed us how that would work and helped up feel better about him leaving us. They specialize in high risk births at Northside and are ready to tackle all of Jordan's needs. The facility was very nice and we felt much better about everything. We had an idea now on what to expect on the day Jordan would come into our lives.
Day two in Atlanta: Today was the day for us to met the surgeon and tour Egleston Children's Hospital were he would have his surgery and we would live for several weeks. We were also able to tour the hospital so we would know more about what to expect. Once again the staff was GREAT! They were willing to answer any question and made us feel comfortable with the situation. Jordan will be life flighted to Egleston within 12 hour to 48 hours after birth depending on his condition. We are hoping and praying that he will be ok at Northside until they dismiss me and we will be able to go with him to Egleston. It breaks my heart to think that he might be in one hospital and me in another. I know we will have family with both of us but that's my little boy and I can't even think about him not being with me.
After seeing the NICU and the step down NICU where we will actually be able to stay in the room with him and take care of him. We met the surgeon Dr. Paul Kirshbom, he was great! He sat with us and told us what to expect and how things would work and reassured us Jordan would be have the best care. With God and Dr Kirshbom I know that Jordan will be in good hands.
We were able to see another child that had undergone her third open heart surgery for HLHS. She had just gotten back from the operating room and she really looked better than I expected. I still can't imagine how my heart will feel when it's my own child. We were able to talk to the Daddy and his advice was to us was to "PRAY HARD" and know that Egleston staff was the best.
After leaving Egleston we felt a little better about Jordan's surgery and what to expect. We've been so lucky and I know that God has placed every person in our lives for a reason. Everyone of them have made sure we were comfortable and knew they would do everything they could to help Jordan become the healthy baby boy we had hoped for.