Miss G's Heart Sends an Early Valentine

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Two weeks ago, when Eli took Miss G to our new family doctor for a "nice to meet you" appointment, our new family doctor heard an irregular heartbeat.

Eli says he didn't like it.  Not one little bit.  He could hear it too.

So, we were told to sit tight and wait for a referral to a pediatrician and an ECG (electrocardiogram).

So, we did.

Now, I obsess about lots of things in my life.

I'll lose sleep trying to figure out how to teach someone a Math concept.

Or 30 someones.

I'll dream about the book I'm reading and try to anticipate solutions or alternative endings.

I'll wake up at the slightest sound of a bunny hopping or a girlie coughing.

But, I also have the super-human power to "acknowledge and let go."

I amaze myself at times.

Eli can't figure out how I can stand NOT caring about winning or losing a game (this is especially irritating to him if I am winning).

So, I remained serene and calm about Miss G's mysterious and previously undetected heartbeat irregularity.

I was worried.  No doubt.  But without further details, I was not going to overreact or stress too obsessively about it. 

Then, on Friday that same week, we got a call for an appointment with a paediatrician and for an ECG the very next Tuesday.

A week-plus-a-day to see a specialist?  Yes, please!

So, last Tuesday, I took the day off work with Miss G. 

It was one of those days that you were just meant to take. 

Miss G slept for over two hours that morning...

I mean she took a nap. 

In Mommy and Daddy's big bed. 

Two hours. 

My child.

She was getting sick, and this was the beginning of a four-day hiatus from school to get over some nasty bugs (including strep throat).

So, at the hospital, we got to the ECG. 

I wasn't totally sure how to prepare Miss G for an electrocardiogram, so I told her that the heart doctors at the hospital were going to put stickers on her chest, arms and legs, and that these stickers would tell a special machine how to draw a picture that her heart wants to show her.

It's like a valentine from your heart.

She liked that well enough, and was super super still for the ECG, because "this is serious" (in my very best Wonder Pets voice).

She did not love me taking the stickers off, but with a little baby oil and just a quiet tear or two, she was dressed and happy to hold her heart picture.

"Say cheese Heart Picture!"

Up at the top?  See it??

NORMAL sinus rhythm.

NORMAL ECG.

Yay!

Miss G had a great time colouring in the paediatrician's office, and we discovered that Miss G has sinus arrhythmia.

That means that when she breathes in, her heartbeat picks up.

When she breathes out, her heartbeat slows down.

It's regularly irregular.

Sinus arrhythmia does not limit any of her activities.

Excellent. 

Back to colouring...

And, oh-so-happy to have a healthy child!