California McMillans

Ok, should we just rename our blog the McMillan Pediatrics Medical Journal? Everyone has issues. Our family is congenital medical disorders. Tylers heart, Carls brain and Dannys Hips. Danny had hip discomfort growing up, visited the doc at 17 and was dismissed with "bad hips." He learned to make the best of his hips by monitoring his activity, walking slowly, making me wear hiking packs and taking breaks. After experiencing back pain this year he went to a doctor who took one look at his x-ray and sent him to orthopedics who sent him to a surgeon. We are blessed with a great friend who is amazing hip surgeon and chief of orthopedics AKA John Kronick who guided us in our decision. Our family is always taken care of in miraculous ways. Here are his hips: The Problem: acetabular (hip) dysplasia is a congenital disorder usually formed by age 3. His acetabular is more dish shaped instead of cup shaped. A normal hip would surround the head of his femur. His X-ray shows signs of art

So sad I forgot my camera to show you the beautiful job UCSF did to honor their angels. They had a wonderful memorial event to celebrate the lives of all the children who have passed. Danny and I were humbled to have the opportunity to be the parent speakers at the event. This is what we shared in english and spanish. I love having the opportunity to be involved with UCSF. It is such a humbling and rewarding thing to meet so many amazing people that are striving to bless the lives of children and their families. We are honored to celebrate the life of our son Carl Lavar as well as the lives of your precious sons and daughters. As a couple, I am sure like you, we had countless hopes and dreams of oneday becoming parents and blessing our children. It didn't take long before realizing that parenthood, just like life, is filled with unexpected ups and downs. We were first blessed with a healthy son, Scott. 2 years later, we were heartbroken to find out that Tyler, our second son

I feel soo blessed on Fathers Day. My boys couldn't possibly have a better father and that makes me fell like the luckiest person in the world. Scott, Tyler and I know Carl look at their father with the utmost love, respect and admiration. He is a man who teaches them to have fun, learn, fix things and fill your heart with love towards others and the Lord. He is an example in all his actions and words. I have never once heard him yell. He is always so calm, so loving and such a loving dad. My dad. Anyone who knows my dad knows that he is saint. He has always placed his family first and truly lives a life of selflessness. I don't just say this because he is my dad. Anyone who knows him would agree this. My boys love their Pop. He adores them, takes care of them and makes it possible for me to coach. They couldn't be in better or more spoiled hands when we are working. Thanks dad, I love you! Grampy, Danny's dad, is another amazing father figure in our live

My best friend from High School, Laurel and her husband Ryan live in Los Angeles and it was so fun to visit. They have the cutest place in UCLA grad housing. Ryan is going to orthodontic school and doing an awesome job!! Oh fun times. Here are the ladies cooking. Flashback from the past...Scott as a little man having fun on the lovesack. He was too tired to do anything this year. How sad! Tyler hanging out with Ryan. Thanks for having us over guys. It was so fun. See you soon.

I have done a lot of thinking about life with an HLHS baby. Every once in a while we get to talk to parents who are deciding what plan to follow with their baby. This decision is so personal and one that takes much pondering, prayer and reflection. Danny and I always knew that we were going to do everything in our power to give Tyler a chance at life and that ultimately the Lords will would come to pass. I think the Lord knew that I wouldn't be able to do anything different. With that said, I feel overwhelmingly blessed to have the opportunity to be his mother and for the amazing things that he has taught and continues to teach me. I am grateful that we live our life each day treasuring the day. I think the miracle is found when you realize the blessing of motherhood and your children. I am grateful the Lord has blessed me with this perspective and attitude. Tyler's heart condition for us in some ways is a non-issue. It is what it is and we will have hard times in th

We had the opportunity to go to So Cal for 10 days and had such a fun time!! Our first stop was visiting Bec and Seth, Danny's best friend from Dental School. They have an adorable boy, Cameron, who is a mini-Seth. He is 6 months and bigger than Tyler. Highlights included 2 days Sea World, the Beach, and the USS Pearl Harbor, the boat where Seth is stationed as a dentist. It was so fun to catch up and be with the Williams. Sea World...had an awesome playground that was so fun to play at with the kids! We went during the day with the kids and went back on Saturday night with the Williams. Hanging out at the beach...

Danny had thursday off, so we went camping on Wednesday night after work. Mt. Diablo is a beautiful place to camp that is right in our backyard. We were the only ones in the whole campground...besides an annoying raccoon and cayotes. Here we are climbing around in Rock City...very fun and Tyler and Scott wanted to be very daring and independent. Enjoying a donut by the campfire. A proud eagle scout. yummy foil dinner made by me! Scott loved roasting marshmellows. We were actually comfortable even though it doesn't appear so in this picture. The boys fell asleep in no time after a busy day.

Had a cardiology appointment today and it went well. Yeah! We had a lung scan a month ago which looked good. They monitor his PA stenosis where the shunt from the Norwood was removed. As his heart grows the area where the shunt was has some scar tissue so they want to make sure there is adequate blood flow until the Fontan. This means no heart cath to dialate it for now. His heart looked good but he is still quite a little man. Blame it on his parents genes and a crazy heart. We will continue to monitor his heart every 6 months unless we notice change in his behavior/heart failure signs. Right after his EKG and before his Echo he threw up everywhere. It was so sad and smelled horrible. The poor little man has the flu or something. He threw up one more time when we were home and is now resting. This is the first time either of my kids has been sick to their stomach. I guess we'll look at that as a blessing. Throwing up is much easier to handle than heart failure. Alright, happy Mond