Today we took Emily into Doernbecher Children's Hospital for her annual heart follow up. If you recall Emily still has a PDA which is an extra heart valve that should have closed after birth. It's common for it to take a little extra time to close for preemies and we thought both girls had closed on their own. However at our 6month check up our ped found that Emily still had a PDA and could hear a murmur. We've just been monitoring it with an Echo every year. Normally for Echo's they sedate young children but we've lucked out now three times and have been able to get Miss Emmalina to cooperate (it was touch and go though!!). The tech tried to get out of it today, but Andy and I were able to show her that Emily would be fine. Emily was a star and sat still for the 20 minutes.
Then we met with the Cardiologist who decided now is the time to do something about the PDA. The procedure is called Cardiac Catheterization. I'm nervous but when I think about the fact that the alternative would have been surgery when she was still in the NICU and barely 3lbs and would have required a ventilator....I'm all for this. I'm going to wait to schedule it for the summer when cold & flu season is somewhat at bay. In order to have the least amount of complications we need a healthy girl!
4 comments:
Sorry about the surgery, but great thinking to wait until after cold and flu season. We have been told the units are full!! Not a good time to be there for a post op. :)
We will be keeping her in our prayers and you too.
Bummer! I do agree that now is a better time than when she was just days old. If it has to be done, then what choice do you have? We will be here if you need anything....
Sorry to hear Emily needs to have this procedure, but you're right about it being a better time now than when she was in the NICU. Waiting to get out of the cold/flu season seems a good idea, too. I'll be thinking of you and look forward to a future post that says it's behind you and all is well.
Heather, I didn't know about this. I'm sorry and pray you'll have strength and Emily too! I used to work for a Cardiologist, so I know how common cardiac caths are, but she's so little! I'm glad she's brave and she'll be great! Smart to wait for summer too!
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