A Change of Plans

(Melia's First Echocardiogram)

Our Pediatric Cardiologist called today with his consensus opinion after discussing Melia's Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) with the Omaha Cardiologists, Cardiothoracic Surgeons and the nation's premier doctor in CHD/Double Switch operations out of Boston, MA.

I feel so strongly that God placed Melia in our home in Omaha so that she could get this kind of excellent, well-thought out, collaborative health care.  I am confident in our Cardiologists knowledge and thankful that he would go to such great lengths to get the best information regarding treatments and procedures that could enhance and prolong her life.

That being said, here is the newest recommendation (I get the feeling that dealing with CHD is like adoption...expect the unexpected and expect change).  To put it simply, Melia's heart is stable right now, but the wrong side of the heart is pumping blood to the body and might wear out in time because it was not designed to do this kind of hard work.  Our doctor recommends doing a couple more procedures so that surgeons will have the best looks at her heart before they would ever need to do surgery and then he recommends proceeding with a preparatory surgery to get her heart ready for any later, "big" surgeries that she might need.

For those reading that understand the medical terminology, here goes...

They are recommending a Cardiac MRI and TEE to complete her testing.  We will probably have all her records sent to Bove and Del Nido for second opinions and then proceed with a PA Banding surgery in Omaha, Boston or Michigan.  The PA Band will stregthen the LV muscle so that when and if a Double Switch is needed (they mentioned age 5) then the LV will be ready to pump blood systemically.  There may be a need for multiple PA Bands.  We just have to see how she responds to the banding.  They do open the chest for this surgery, but do not require use of the heart/lung bypass machine.  They would anticipate a three day hospital recovery.

So, although we have a change of plans the Unchanging, Creator God is with us.  Today, I am thankful for this good news...

~God, Immanuel (He is with us)
~God, Creator (He made Melia)
~God is Love (He works things out in pure love)
~Time.  Nothing is urgent.  We have time to build up Melia's heart.  She is not in heart failure.
~Communication.  Doctors all communicating with each other and me to make the best, wisest decisions.
~Access to Health Care.  All around the world children are suffering without access to good, safe health care but our little Melia has that right here in our own community.
~Family.  The support, love, wisdom and care of extended family.
~A Kiss.  Last night she was sitting on my lap, turned her head and puckered up for a kiss from Mommy.  Then she snuggled up in my chest with a smile.  Pure sweetness!