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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Tomorrow is the day.....

We went on Tuesday and had the 2nd echo cardiogram done. The doctor was supposed to call me Wednesday with the results, and naturally he waited until after 4pm to call. It was treacherous waiting, let me tell you.

When he did call, he said the results were comparable to last month. That was enough confirmation for me that we did every test we could non-invasive prior to doing this catheter Friday. He said there was still no explanation for the enlargement and that there was mild leakage from the valves. I am hoping to have a better understanding tomorrow as to what that means.

I have been asked a few times what is wrong with her and what tomorrow will entail. Really, we don't know whats wrong with her, therefore we don't know what the future of treatment may hold. Tomorrow's hospital visit is diagnostic. She will have a Cardiac Cath and Transesophageal Echocardiogram. At 7am we will check in and 9am her procedure will start. It takes approximately 2 hours to do. She will be put completely under, and stay in the hospital for a majority of the day for recovery. We should hopefully have some preliminary results, hopefully giving us a general answer as to what is going on with my seemingly healthy and symptom-free girl. A full workup of results will come in a few days.

We told her last night this was going to be happening. Of course, we turned it into a story a 4 year old could understand. We told her her heart was precious and the doctor wanted to make sure it was working perfect. We told her she would take a little nap while he looked at it, and ALL her family would be there with her. She was OK, then asked if she would have to get a shot. Since I won't lie to my daughter, I had to tell her she was. She started panicking and crying, so we agreed we would tell the Doctor that she didn't want a shot. I figure at this point, they can prepare her for the blood work and IV. Hopefully, they give her that pink medicine to calm her like they did for her root canal and crown and she won't even realize it all.

I wholeheartedly trust the doctor performing the procedure. He is a very busy pediatric cardiac surgeon, yet never rushes me on the phone when I have the most ridiculous questions. I haven't met him in person yet, but already know he will take the best care possible of my baby while she is in his hands.

For the record, it is not as much about the procedure tomorrow that has me so freaked out. Although the idea of the anesthesia, invasion into her heart, and the pain she will be in after are concepts I can hardly think of without waves of panic... it is more about the results for me. This is just the question. The answer comes later. What comes next? How do we fix whatever it is that is wrong? Will she be on medication? Will she need surgery? Will she be given a standing order for the rest of her life to take it easy, putting a road block around the ability to play sports or even run the playground with vigor as only a kid can do?

Please pray for the results. The key problems with her are unexplained enlargement of her left atrium and mild leakage of her valves.

8 comments:

Boricua in Texas said...

Oh, Kristi. I do not know how I missed this before. I had no idea Gabriella and you were going through this. Many, many hugs. I will be thinking of her tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is that you guys are in our thoughts and I know she is a tough girl to have gone this far already! We will pray for positive results and be awaiting for some answers when you get them. Take care. Maddie says feel better!!

Anonymous said...

You're both constantly in my thoughts. I hope tomorrow goes smoothly and that you'll get a simple and easily-fixed explanation. So many hugs and prayers.

Dahlia said...

Definitely praying.

Sometimes with kids they can put them under with the mask before putting in the IV. I would ask. The other way they often do it is a small numbing shot in the hand (which really doesn't hurt, like a mild bee sting) and then put the IV in. At that point you really can't feel it. Find out what they're doing so you can explain it to her and hopefully it won't be so scary.

Megan@SortaCrunchy said...

I cannot imagine how terrifying this would all be. I am so sorry for all of the worry and anxiety. You will all be in my prayers tomorrow and in the days to come.

Mary Ann said...

I can't imagine the emotional roller coaster this must be. You and baby girl are in my prayers.

Flying Monkeys said...

You will be in a lot of people's thoughts and prayers tomorrow.

Laura said...

Praying for you and your baby girl today!