Alive in the Superunknown

Well, a few weeks have gone by since I've had any time to string together a few coherent thoughts in a (somewhat) logical progression; this post may or may not fit that qualification.

Since my last post was so heartening, I figured I'd make up for my absence from the blogosphere by providing some homogeneity in mood.

I wish that I could shed a bit more light on the Beach Ghostlet's condition, but nothing definitive has been determined. This despite a follow-up visit to the cardiologist who first spotted the cardiac mass, and despite a second opinion from a doctor at one of the most respected hospitals in the area. If anything, the follow-ups have actually created more uncertainty. We've also had to add a new word to our frequently used medical lexicon: fibroma.

The good news about the two visits is that we've determined that the mass isn't affecting either the heart's rate of flow or its electrical impulses. The not-so-good news is that if the decision was made to go in to resect the tumor, they wouldn't be able to remove it all, since it takes up a good portion of one ventricle wall. Still, everyone agrees that her being asymptomatic is a good thing and that there's no need to break out the sharp things unless that changes; at the moment, that doesn't seem likely.

But there's still the possibility of TSC to deal with. The gene test is still not due, and it was recommended to us that we take the baby in for an MRI of her head. TSC is characterized by tumors in many places, including the brain. So, as can be imagined, I'm thrilled.

Do I think that something is seriously wrong? Perhaps I'm simply being overly optimistic (what, me worry?) but I think not. She just doesn't seem sick, and is actually becoming more alert, beginning to focus on specific objects, and showing signs of an actual personality. She is, in other words, progressing.

It's just unfortunate that I have to wait a week or so to confirm what I think.