My oldest daughter was born with a severe heart condition - it was not detected until her 2-week "well baby" checkup . . . now that's a contradiction in terms . . . i remember the phone call from my ex to meet her at the hospital as they need to do additional tests on my baby . . . my heart hit the floor.
The actual heart condition is Tricupid Atresia - the result is that she really only has half a heart, as the valve in the side of the heart that would pump blood to the lungs never developed.
At 3 months, she had her chest cut open, to "guesstimate" how much to restrict the current blood flow to her lungs - if left alone, it would destroy her lungs - this was a temporary fix, to but her time to grow, and delay the inevitable Open Heart surgery that will be needed. Medical science is amazing, and the "guesstimate" lasted until she was 2 years 11 months old ( not even 3 years old ) - and she had Open Heart Surgery at the UCLA medical center - about 25 years ago - almost to the day.
Jump forward 25 years - she got married in August to a great guy, currently Air Force Reserve ( thank you sir ), and they're starting their lives together . . . My oldest daughter has ALWWAYS wanted to be a mom, have babies, and have a family ! She checked in with her Cardiac Doctor, and the checkup, cardiac catheters, and Medical Evaluation was that she could not have babies if the 1) current leaking valve that she does have is not fixed so it won't leak, and 2) the surgery that was performed 25 years ago has changed over time and developed a kink, so it's reducing the blood flow in her body ( which explains why she's very tired all the time ).
So on Wednesday, 11/18, my oldest daughter will be going in for Open Heart Surgery . . . again . . .
This last week has been pretty tough, and as the time gets closer, the wait is getting tougher . . . she's a CHAMP ! She's excited ( and nervous ) to get this done and allow them to get on with their lives and start a family.
Give me the strength to make it through this week . . . yet - again . . .
Thanks to the wonders of Medical Science, she is with me today, as the heart defect ( without correction ) would never have allowed her to live this long.
So my thoughts, and prayers, are with the cardiac team of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and all the "brain-power" that will be standing around that operating table, for 4-8 hours, to allow "my little baby" to continue in life with her dream . . . to have babies . . . and have the family that she's always dreamed of . . .
The actual heart condition is Tricupid Atresia - the result is that she really only has half a heart, as the valve in the side of the heart that would pump blood to the lungs never developed.
At 3 months, she had her chest cut open, to "guesstimate" how much to restrict the current blood flow to her lungs - if left alone, it would destroy her lungs - this was a temporary fix, to but her time to grow, and delay the inevitable Open Heart surgery that will be needed. Medical science is amazing, and the "guesstimate" lasted until she was 2 years 11 months old ( not even 3 years old ) - and she had Open Heart Surgery at the UCLA medical center - about 25 years ago - almost to the day.
Jump forward 25 years - she got married in August to a great guy, currently Air Force Reserve ( thank you sir ), and they're starting their lives together . . . My oldest daughter has ALWWAYS wanted to be a mom, have babies, and have a family ! She checked in with her Cardiac Doctor, and the checkup, cardiac catheters, and Medical Evaluation was that she could not have babies if the 1) current leaking valve that she does have is not fixed so it won't leak, and 2) the surgery that was performed 25 years ago has changed over time and developed a kink, so it's reducing the blood flow in her body ( which explains why she's very tired all the time ).
So on Wednesday, 11/18, my oldest daughter will be going in for Open Heart Surgery . . . again . . .
This last week has been pretty tough, and as the time gets closer, the wait is getting tougher . . . she's a CHAMP ! She's excited ( and nervous ) to get this done and allow them to get on with their lives and start a family.
Give me the strength to make it through this week . . . yet - again . . .
Thanks to the wonders of Medical Science, she is with me today, as the heart defect ( without correction ) would never have allowed her to live this long.
So my thoughts, and prayers, are with the cardiac team of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and all the "brain-power" that will be standing around that operating table, for 4-8 hours, to allow "my little baby" to continue in life with her dream . . . to have babies . . . and have the family that she's always dreamed of . . .
