Say it again...

      My husband deployed and a few days later Mason had his cardiology appointment with Dr. Greensides. Not an ideal timing but his visits were every 6 months so I had no choice. Got Mason ready, whipped up a protein shake for breakfast and out the door we went. Like always nerves take over me. Let the tests begin.
      First Mason gets a ECHO (Echo cardiogram) done. When getting the ECHO done Mason doesn't want to lay there. Its like an ultrasound. The room is colorful, the TV with cartoons playing and the nurse is very friendly but he could careless he has gunk on him and a stranger is too close for comfort. Of course like all doctor appointments the parent has to be the "bad guy" I had to hold his arms down and keep him still. I mean, come on what one year old would like that? So he starts crying, I do what any parent would do, SING! Yup right there in the office and like a charm it works every time. So as the nurse is doing the ECHO mason and I are singing the itsy bitsy spider. It wasn't our first time there and wasn't the first time we had to break into song to calm Mason down.
      Next came the ECG (Electrocardiogram) This involves 13 small stickers on arms, legs, chest and requires alot of patience.  With a 30 minute drive, 20 minute wait in the waiting room and a ECHO done before hand that was asking alot. So we sing some more. Before we know it he was finished. He got his blood pressure checked and heart listened to by Dr.Greenside and the results were in!
     Dr. Greenside said "How would you feel if I said See you in 2 years?"  I looked at him trying to register what he said. He continued..." He looks great!!! Everything looks healthy!" Of course I had to push my luck and say "If everything is perfect why do you need to see him in 2 years?" He told me children with Down syndrome CAN develop CHD (Congenital heart disease). I suppose if that comes up we will get to it when we get to it but for now...WOOOHOOOOO every 2 years? SAY IT AGAIN!
      As if that wasn't music to my ears already he handed me the results, took a deep breath and said "I have to take a moment and just compliment you, Mason is progressing well and that is because of you! The nurses were talking about you singing to him and how he responds to you, I think its great! With down syndrome there is a large spectrum, and Mason is on the higher end." I felt so overwhelmed. I do what I do because Mason is my child and of course I want the best for him but when I take a moment to reflect and hear positive feedback it makes me feel good. The doctor wouldn't stop with the compliments and in my mind I was thinking..." SAY IT AGAIN DOCTOR!!!!"