The latest news

I will do my best to complete this update, and will work on catching you up on details later.

I feel comfortable sharing Elliott's latest condition now that we have met with 2 cardiologists on separate occasions with similar opinions.

Here we go. I will do this in list form. Refer back to the links in previous posts for more detailed info on the specific defects.

1. Hypoplastic Tricuspid Valve- not as severe as thought when dx (diagnosed) prenatally. New Dx: tricuspid stenosis- mild. This is good news.

2. Hypoplastic Right Ventricle- not as severe as thought when dx prenatally. New Dx: right ventricle is mildly small. This is excellent news! This means that Elliott may be able to have full function of both chambers! 

3. Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)- this dx was confirmed. Essentially he has a closed loop of oxygenated blood from and to the lungs, and a closed loop of oxygen poor blood from and to the body. This issue will be addressed during open heart surgery (ohs) next week. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/transposition-of-the-great-arteries/DS00733 )

4. Coarctation of the Aorta- this dx was also confirmed. This is the most critical feature to correct. This will also be addressed in ohs next week. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coarctation-of-the-aorta/DS00616 )

5. Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD)- Elliott has several holes between the atria and ventricles of the heart. Currently, those defects are ones to be thankful for and are related to his amazing ability to keep his O2 stats up. These will also be addressed during next week's ohs. (ASD- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atrial-septal-defect/DS00628  VSD- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ventricular-septal-defect/DS00614 )

Elliott's case will be presented during the Cardio conference on Monday and a more specific plan will be devised.

Yesterday was a very long day for our favorite little guy. The infectious disease team was dispatched to take a look at a spot on his head. I had understood the "spot" was a hematoma and blister from birthing (I pushed him for two hours!). Anyway, the physician (Dr. Lucy Marquez, a fellow class of 1997 Klein Oak grad), collected samples from Elliott's scalp, mouth, bum, eyes, ears, and spine. Yes, my little boy had a spinal tap. He was so much tougher than his momma! Next, he had a lung x-ray, and ultrasounds of his kidneys, lungs and skull. I was able to caress his scalp and he gripped my finger tightly during the ultrasounds. His least favorite part was when the sonographer used a rough terrycloth wash rag to wipe the gel off his skin. He was pretty angry that she didn't think to use a soft cloth on his tender skin. Good thing I was there to take over with a soft kleenex. Then, the vascular team came along to put in a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line to allow better access for blood draws, medications, etc. We left as the vascular team was setting up (about 830 pm). Elliott's CVICU nurse called us with updates every hour, and we were finally able to go back in to see him at 130 am this morning. He was resting comfortably and responsive to our touch and coos.




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