Another Home, Cardiologist, and School...

The summer of 2007, we departed the rainy Pacific Northwest for sunny North Carolina. Grace was physically growing quickly becoming one of the tallest in her class, even though she is always one of the youngest (an August 17 birthday). She discovered a love for tennis, which she has been playing now for two years. We have a new cardiologist here as well, Dr. Scott Buck (http://findadoc.unchealthcare.org/directory/buck) at North Carolina Children’s Hospital, affiliated with UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Buck has been following Grace for the past two years.

Within the last year, Grace has expressed some concerns about having her pacemaker and being different. I attribute it to her maturing and entering an age where it is most acceptable to be like others. I try hard to keep the lines of communication open, listen to her feelings, validate her feelings, and assure her that sometimes different is good. I tell her that her scars are the outward signs of strength and to be proud of them.