L had a doctor's appt last Friday. He was diagnosed at eleven months with an atrial septal defect (ASD). Basically this is a hole in the atrial part of of his heart. We have seen a pediatric cardiologist since every 18 months. The Dr. seemed pretty sure at his last appointment that he would have to have the hole surgically closed, but we were still holding out hope that it would potentially close on its own. Friday, we found out that the hole is still the same size and L's right side of his heart is bigger than the left, which apparently what they expect. We discussed when the surgery would take place and the Dr still insists that it's best to wait 2 more years. He said that it would be better to do the surgery on a heart that is a little bigger. He also said that new technology comes out all the time and there could be something that would close the whole even better in two years. He described the hole as "not huge, but not small either"....guess that makes it medium sized? He also said that the hole will not be closing on its own. So we are planning for surgery in Spring 2015. L has no restrictions and can play sports and run around as a normal kid...which is something he has always told us, so that's reassuring.
Part of me understands why the Dr feels more comfortable waiting, however, as a parent, you want to see your kid 100%. I hate to think that he has to have heart surgery. Thankfully, it isn't going to require open heart surgery. I just want him fixed. Though typically, this specific heart problem does not cause children to be smaller than a normal child, L has always been super small. Who knows for certain if this isn't causing him to be small? Looks like we are gonna wait the two years out and expect some surgery then....yikes!
Here is a website that tells you what an ASD is....it's pretty informative!
http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/heart/asd.html#
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