Latest on Therapy

Harrison had OT yesterday. She is pleased with his progress. Rachel wants us to continue stretching his right wrist and forearm. His shoulder is feeling looser, but his right side is still a bit tight. That therapy ended at 11:00 and his next one was at noon.

The noon therapy was supposed to be a lunch therapy with his speech therapist and his dietitian. Well, he was so tired he did not eat much at all. They watched what he did eat and made some recommendations. We need to get him to bite on his sides, especially his right side. He was weighed and measured. He gained 4 ounces this month, so he weighs a whopping 20lbs. 9oz. and his length was the same as last month; 29 5/8 inches. So, basically he is still on his own growth line, which is below 0% for everything. In fact, he dropped a tiny bit off of his line but they are not worried.

He will have a speech evaluation next month and a 6 month reevaluation too. He has come a long way since we moved back home to Texas. He ended his therapy in Minnesota at 8 months old and all he could do was roll from back to tummy and vomiting after almost every meal . He started therapy in Texas in October, 11 months old, and all he could do was roll from back to tummy and tummy to back and drink 16 ounces a day. Now, at 20 months old he can crawl, pull to a stand, cruise around furniture, walk with a walker toy, wave bye bye, say mamama (for everything), and bark like a dog. As for nutrition, he finally could eat baby food in November and now he can eat stage 3 baby food without vomiting from choking. The nutritionist says he has come a long way, especially since he doesn't choke and throw up now. It seems like years ago that he was constantly throwing up during or after his meals, and really it has only been a little over 6 months. Thank God! Most of this, with the exception of crawling, has happened this week. Boy, he has been a busy little bee this summer!

TEAM HARRISON

We have created a walking team for the American Heart Association Start! Heart Walk in September. The team is TEAM HARRISON. You can visit our team page at www.heartwalk.kintera.org and type in the team name. You may also read Harrison's journey story at www.caringbridge.org and type in harrisondeanhartgraves.

We currently have 7 walkers signed up. Our goal is to raise $5,000 for research and education for heart disease and stroke.

As a survivor, we have been invited to the kick off party to tell Harrison's story. We are so excited to finally be giving back for all of the blessings we have been given through this journey. Harrison's triumph over his rough start gives me the inspiration to make this years walk very successful. Look for TEAM HARRISON every year.

William Brice Hartgraves

This is William and he is currently 6 years old. He will begin First Grade in August. He enjoys reading, playing with his toys, swimming, and Star Wars.

This summer he has participated in Music and Art Camp at First Presbyterian Church, VBS at UCC, and is taking swimming lessons. He can't wait for our family trip to South Padre.

He is big brother to Harrison, who is 20 months old.

Harrison Dean Hartgraves

This is Harrison. He had open heart surgery when he was 9 days old. He is currently 20 months old.

He loves to play with his toys. He enjoys listening to the sounds they make when he drops them on hard surfaces. He just walked behind his walker on July 9. He waved bye bye and hi for the first time yesterday. He says mama, but it is for everything. He can point to his belly and he can bark like a dog on command. He has PT, OT, Developmental Services, Dietitian, and Speech Therapists visit him at home each week. Most of the time he enjoys it.

He loves taking baths and playing in the water. He really likes it when his big brother, William, joins him in the tub.

He is going to the beach for his first time this summer. He is going to really enjoy it.

This is Harrison in November, 2005. This is one of the first photos taken after his heart repair.