(I will update on the rest of the family in a post on a day where I have time to spare. Right now, I thought updating on E's heart condition is a bit more important)
As most of you are aware, Emilee was born with a heart condition known as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). This is known as "a hole in the heart". What this means is that there is separation in the wall of her Right Atrium and Left Atrium. When the blood pumps thru her left atrium to her left ventricle there is a leak back into her right atrium. Here is a picture to allow you to see the anatomy and where the hole is.
This is something that is actually very common. There are tons of people walking around right now with ASD who don't know it. They don't know about it because it doesn't cause any problems until you're much older. With having her first cardiologist appointment at age five weeks old we were able to see the slight hole early. We are on a yearly check-up until pre-school age when we will discuss our options for repairing.
That was until today. Our check up today showed that her Right Atrium and Right Ventricle are enlarged. This is due to the ASD. The blood is pooling quickly back into the right side of the heart and causing it to become enlarged. Here is a picture to show you: the left picture is a normal healthy heart. The right is where the enlargement is. This doesn't cause problems when they are little, like Emilee. But what happens is that as they get older they begin to have complications.
As most of you are aware, Emilee was born with a heart condition known as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). This is known as "a hole in the heart". What this means is that there is separation in the wall of her Right Atrium and Left Atrium. When the blood pumps thru her left atrium to her left ventricle there is a leak back into her right atrium. Here is a picture to allow you to see the anatomy and where the hole is.
That was until today. Our check up today showed that her Right Atrium and Right Ventricle are enlarged. This is due to the ASD. The blood is pooling quickly back into the right side of the heart and causing it to become enlarged. Here is a picture to show you: the left picture is a normal healthy heart. The right is where the enlargement is. This doesn't cause problems when they are little, like Emilee. But what happens is that as they get older they begin to have complications.
Which now brings us to figuring out a game plan. The doctor is content with waiting until the spring to do a sedated ultrasound to determine the actual size of the defect. Based on the ultrasound today, they believe that the size will disqualify her for having the catheterization procedure and she will need to undergo open heart surgery. We are praying for some change in this, but no matter what this hole is not closing on it's own. Emilee will need some procedure to correct the defect.
She is currently thriving, eating tons, growing and being quite the stinker. These are all great signs! Provided she continues to grow and get strong, we will not need to have the procedure done until she is between 3-4 years old. If the results of the Spring 16' ultrasound show something different then we will plan from there, and the surgery will happen before our move next summer. Either way, the end result will leave us a healthy daughter who has a lifetime ahead of her.
Hopefully this helps to explain, I figured pictures were helpful while in the doctors office.
One thing to mention, we are looking at a second opinion. The enlargement of the heart is concerning for Kyle and I. In less than a year of her first check-up her heart began to enlarge and we want to make sure that we are doing the right thing and waiting for a procedure to help correct this. Our current doctor is with Nemour's and we trust him, however, for a peace of mind, we are checking out doctor's at CHOP.
We appreciate all of the prayers that we received and ask that you keep us in them for a while longer.
And please don't hesitate to ask any questions, I know this whole heart thing can be quite confusing and I don't want anyone to feel like they are left out of the loop.
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| This was before her appointment <3 |
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