2003 Appointment
Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA; 3 March 2003 at 10:30 am -- Dr. Michael Portman

Emma - Spring 2003

Emma had her annual appointment today - Monday, 3 March 2003. Emma weighs 54 lbs. She seems to be doing fine, so of course Dr. Portman tells us that the echocardiogram shows a substantially enlarged heart. Although Dr. Lupinetti felt that Emma's mitral valve could not be fully repaired in 1997, there are new surgeons at Children's Hospital. Dr. Portman is going to present Emma's case next Monday and see what the other surgeons think about repairing the valve. Dr. Portman says it would be far better to repair the valve than replace it.

If we go ahead with a mitral valve repair surgery, we don't know yet if it will be done before school is over for the summmer or after school lets out. We'll wait and see until next Monday.

Surgery Decision
Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA; 10 March 2003 -- Dr. Michael Portman

Dr. Portman called today. He said that he had presented Emma's case to his colleagues today. Dr. Gordon Cohen is very confident he can repair the mitral valve defect. Therefore we are scheduling the mitral valve repair surgery. Watch this space for scheduling information.

Sixth Month Check Up
Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA; 24 November 2003 -- Dr. Michael Portman

Emma - Nov. 2003

It has been six months since Emma's surgery in April and follow up in May. Emma had an echocardiogram at 10:00am, followed by a chest x-ray, and then an appointment with Dr. Portman. Dr. Portman said her echo looked really good and that the x-ray showed good improvement in her heart size. Dr. Portman said, "See you next year."