This is a blog for my daughter Scarlett. She was born with a complex congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia. She is my little hero.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Not Out Of The Woods

Well, the echocardiogram results came back normal and she was released on Wednesday afternoon. But that doesn't mean she's out of the woods yet.

Beth (Sacrlett's other cardiologist) said the echo looked good but that the leak was still there. Because the leak is still there, the pressure on her right ventrivle (RV) is still there. Mind you, the overall heart function is better and the tightness in her left pulmonary artery (LPA) is not as bad, but it is not completely gone.

So the question now is HOW MUCH PRESSURE? And HOW MUCH LEAKING? In order to quantify "how much" and "how fast"? Beth wants to see her back on Tuesday for a follow-up appointment. They'll check her weight, listen to her heart and just assess her. Then in a month, they want to do an MRI to determine exactly how much blood is regurgitating back to the RV.

An MRI will give Dr. Cleveland the answers he needs to determine how much Scarlett's heart will be able to handle. But since the leak and the pressure are still there, then it is inevitable that her next open heart surgery to replace the homograft will be soner than the 2-4 years an originally estimated. : ( The MRI will give us a lot of answers.

3 comments:

  1. I am so grateful that Scarlett has the very best team of heart doctors on the planet caring for her. You are a natural born worrier, Melodie, but try to take your lead from Scarlett. If Scarlett was feeling weak or puny, her appetite would be 'off', she wouldn't feel like playing with toys and she would be irritable and fussy. Instead, she's eating like a champ and playing. I'm going to keep her candle lit, continue praying and keep counting Scarlett's many blessings. Give her kisses for me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I missed a lot being out of town! I'm glad the cath went well...but sad she will need surgery sooner. I do know one thing for sure--I will not be bringing any kids into her room while she is recovering!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My palms got sweaty just reading this. I remember my son being that young and the anxiety and fears that went with a visit to the cardiologist and the waiting. Scarlett, I am praying for you!

    ReplyDelete