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Brock Matthew Waggoner 
 
Brock was born April 5, 2003. At 4 months old his pediatrician found a heart murmur. We went to see a cardiologist. Dr.McMahon did an echocardiogram and found his right ventricle to be enlarged with really thick muscle. We went for an angiogram on Sept. 9, 2003 at UAB. Dr.McMahon could not get the catheter to feed through and his pressures in the right ventricle were getting higher. Brock had his first open heart surgery on Sept. 11, 2003. When Dr.Pacifico opened Brock up, he found a huge tumor inside the right ventricle out flow track at the pulmonary valve. He removed as much as possible. Brock was diagnosed with an Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the right ventricle. It is very rare to find tumors inside the heart. There are only a couple of known cases of this kind. Treatment is unknown. Within three weeks we started to see regrowth on the echocardiogram. On November 6, 2003 Brock had his second open heart surgery. The tumor had filled 2/3 of the ventricle. Dr. Pacifico again removed as much as possible without damaging the walls of the heart. Two weeks later Brock began Chemotherapy at Children's Hospital and was placed on the Heart Transplant list. In June 2004 Brock was placed on the inactive status of the heart transplant list. We are not accepting a heart unless we see new growth on his tumor. The residual tumor in his heart is not causing any complications at this time. Brock is facing another open heart surgery in the near future to fix his Tricuspid valve. He has Tricuspid Regurgitation due to his valve not working properly. Some of the blood is pooling back into his liver. We are watching this closely. Brock finished one year of Chemotherapy in November 2004. Brock had his third open heart surgery on Nov. 6, 2006. His tricuspid valve was replaced with a pig's valve by Dr.Knott-Craig. Brock is expected to get 6-10 years use out of this valve. Also, the surgeon did not see any evidence of any remaining tumor in the heart. Brock is cancer free! In June 2008 Brock was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. We are presently learning to deal with this lifestyle change. He is coping well with it. But, it is really tough being a 5 year old with so many restrictions.
 
BROCK WEARING HIS GOLD RIBBON THAT REPRESENTS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS
BROCK AND MOMMY AT KANDLES FOR KIDS. BROCK'S CANDLE BURNING FOR OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
Journal
Thursday, February 26, 2009 8:39 AM CST Life has been good. We are having a great New Year. Brock's Cardiology appointment went really well. His PAC's that were showing up on his EKG's have gone away. The Digoxin has done the trick. So, now he will be taking that medication for who knows how long. His heart is still enlarged. The cardiologist is not sure if it will ever come back down. I guess he will just have to grow into it. He is still having leakage off of the new valve. But, he is tolerating it well. He goes back to the Cardiologist in June. Brock also has his Oncology, GI, and ENT check up's in June. It will be a busy month! I am so excited to announce that since Brock started his Gluten Free Diet back in June he has grown 5 inches in 6 months. He has also gained 3lbs. We are super excited. He is trying new foods almost everyday. It sure has gotten us eating alot healthier. We usually have meat, vegetables, and fruit for dinner everynight. Packing his lunch for school is still a little tricky and frustrating. But, I make sure he gets a good breakfast and dinner on those days.
Some exciting news to announce. I have started a Heart Support Group with another heart mom. We had our first charter meeting. Our paperwork was sent to Texas to the national headquarters. I received our e-mail and they are sending us our certification. We are getting ready to have our first meeting. We are so excited. Also, Beth and I are going through the volunteer program at the hospital and are getting certified by our organization. So, we will be certified to do hospital visits. We've been working on all of this for a few months now. It is all finally coming together. Our group is Mending Little Hearts of Birmingham. The doctor's and nurses are so excited about our group. So, between the kiddo's and the group, I have been a busy bee!!!!!!!
We are getting ready to go to Disney World. The kids are so excited. We have been saving up for this trip and it is almost here. We can't wait.
Brock started playing Soccer again this past week. He is still loving it. He was happy when the cardiologist cleared him to play again. But, wasn't so happy when he said no football. But, he has forgotten about football already now that soccer has started. Tinley is still in Girl Scouts and loves it. She just finished her cookie sale. Now they are planning a trip with the money they raised. Not sure where they are going yet.
I hope everyone has a blessed year!
Heart Hugs,
Amy
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Brock's Home!!!
Trussville, AL
Links: http://quiltsoflove.com/quilt_2004/brockw/brock.html Brock's Quilt Of Love
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