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Thursday, June 9, 2011

Rejection

The time has come. While the first year is most critical, a transplant patient is never free of the risk of rejection.

Gabriella has been having upset belly aches lately and today's was debilitating. A belly ache in a transplant kid can mean the normal too much candy or it can mean rejection. Imagine how fun that is for us as parents to figure out! The difference today was Gabriella's heart rate, elevated at resting. Her transplant team instructed us to go to the ER. I was hesitant for a few reasons, but the high heart rate sold me so we came to Phoenix Childrens Hospital.

ECHO showed a 5mm enlargement of her left ventricle in comparison to her ECHO 2 weeks ago. It also showed significant leaking in her mitral valve, where she typically just has a 'trace'. After our cardio team here in Arizona consulted with the transplant team in California, they agreed Gabriella was beginning rejecting her sparkly heart. Loma Linda advised an aggressive steroid regimine and 48hours of IVIG to help her body stop the rejection, then increase her target range of medications to prevent her from going into rejection again.

Gabriella feels great, thank goodness. Like the CMV she got August last year, we caught it early before any effects took place on her or her angel heart. She even told me in the car that her heart felt great. Gotta love my little fighter!!!

I'm convinced this was caused due to a combination of things... Changing both of her transplant meds, lowering her target range and her body not metabolizing them properly. The combination, not anyone's fault, was just enough for her body to go on strike against her sparkly heart. But the most important thing is that she's happy, her heart is not damaged or stressing too much and we can kick this before it's too late! I'm thankful to God for that!

Thank you all for the prayers and being so faithful in not forgetting Gabriella. Please pray that this plan of action is enough to stop rejection and that her heart remain strong through this!!!
Kristi Vega
www.GabriellasHeart.com <3
Sent from my BlackBerry

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praying for you guys. Love you all.

- Obie Pinner

Trashy Decor said...

Wow. I am so sorry to read this. I do know that God, Gabriella, your family, faith, and prayer is STRONG. My family and I will pray for Gabriella's beautiful sparkly heart tonight before bed. You are in my mind, my heart, and my prayers.

So much love goes out to you and yours from me and mine.

God Bless You.

Mindy said...

I have been reading your blog off and on for a while now and I had not read in a few months. I saw the title of the post and my stomach sank ! I hope things go well for the sparkly heart ! I will be keeping y'all in my thoughts !

Linda said...

Poop! I audibly groaned when I started reading this. :( SO not what I was hoping to hear from you guys. We will be praying for sure and know you have my utter sympathy. (((hugs))) Peace that passes all understanding...

Suzy said...

You're all in my thoughts and prayers, Kristi! She's a fighter, like her mama- thinking of you all constantly. Suzy xxx

Megan@SortaCrunchy said...

I am so, SO thankful that y'all were able to detect this early! I am praying alongside you that the steroids and other measures will obliterate the rejection signals and that everything will be back on track QUICKLY.

I love you guys. Praying so much.

Wodzisz Family said...

Many prayers that the doctors can get all the meds figured out and stop the rejection. We will continue praying for Gabriella.

Boricua in Texas said...

Always thinking of Gabriella. Glad to hear treatment seems to be working. Many hugs.

Ingrid

Mary Ellen said...

We're keeping Princess G in our prayers!

Mary Ellen (& Clayton!)
Jan 05 Babies

Anonymous said...

Paul and Kristi, We love you so much. We are all praying and standing on the promises of God. Your strength is so amazing!
YB Ranch

Unknown said...

:( I hope that sparkly heart of her's is back to (her) normal as soon as possible. Thinking of you!

Katie said...

I went threw the same kind of thing. One of my medications was making me sick so they stopped it and I started rejecting. We got it under control and by my next appointment all was well. Praying for you all

Anonymous said...

We lift you and your family up in prayer! Praying Gods glorious healing! God bless you

Unknown said...

Kristi,
We are praying for Gabriella, you and your family, and the doctors. Trusting God that all will turn out great. You guys are in our prayers!!!

Michelle said...

Thinking of you. Praying for Gabriella and her heart. HUGS!

Pitterle Postings said...

Totally praying for you! I love Phoenix Childrens Hospital. A couple of my own kids have been there and we always felt like they are amazing. I know you are in good hands!!

Mozi Esme said...

Praying for that sparkly heart - and for all of you...

Summer said...

We hope and pray Gabrialla's sparkly heart is doing much better this day!!!

hugs,
Mason's Mommy