Elijah's Heart Journey: October 2011

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Diagnosis

At our 12 week NT Scan, baby Elijah was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Since then, we have had many very thorough scans, an amnio, and an echo exam. Elijah's chromosomes all came back normal. This was such a relief. The echo confirmed the HLHS diagnosis and showed that the left side of Elijah's heart was not developed and there was absolutely no blood flowing. The right side of his heart is pumping strongly and is a little larger to compensate. His heart rate is normal, although his blood flow is abnormal. He is growing well and everything else looks good.

Although this is a very severe deformity, they have the science to treat the heart. Elijah will have to have three open heart surgeries after he is born in order to reroute the heart. The first surgery will most likely take place during his first week of life. After he is born, they will stabilize him and wait for his blood pressure to drop a little. He will then have the Norwood Procedure. This is the most risky procedure. Between 4 and 6 months, he will have another open heart surgery and the Glen Procedure will be performed. The last of this series of surgeries, the Fontan Procedure, will take place between 2 and 3 years old. It is important to remember that this is the best case scenario. It is possible that he will need additional procedures as well.

We will be delivering at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA at the end of March. As we get more information, we will post it here. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

The Chosen Mothers by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you." No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps -"Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them." She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."