| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Tanna |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 4:16:10 PM
Hi all,
I have a decision to make and it is tougher than I thought. My youngest, Liam, has a heart condition.
When he was 2 weeks old at his well-child check up I was told to take him to the ER as his heart was beating 250 bpm. We discovered he has AVNRT (SVT) and he had a hole. Thankfully the hole is closed now.
He was on medication until he was almost 4 years old. They weaned him off the meds because kids usually out grow this.
Well he's been having trouble again. He had an episode last September and 2 or 3 episodes a couple of months ago. They have him on a monitor. Yesterday he had another episode and we caught it on the monitor. The Doctor is talking about either putting him back on meds or doing a catheter ablation. I am really torn. DH can't even think about it because it is stressing him out so much (men). My mom, bless her, is reading too much on the internet.
The meds have their side effects. I hated giving him the meds as a baby because of the side effects and possible complications. The procedure carries its own risks as well, especially because Liam is pretty small for his age (6).
I am also having a time because this DR. is not the Dr. Liam started with. We have only seen this Dr. once before. We have an appointment to talk to him about it more on Thursday.
The Dr. Liam started with moved. I am considering taking him to the first Dr. for a second opinion. He isn't that far, he just isn't at our wonderful Children's hospital down here. Liam is so comfortable at Cook Children's.
I guess I can only wait to talk to the doctor on Thursday. It is so hard making a decision like this for another person. If it were me that was sick I could make this decision so much easier.
Thank you for "listening".
If you have had this procedure I'd love to hear about your
experience.
UPDATE: After lots of consideration and opinions we have scheduled Liam's ablation for August 19th. We come home the next day. I will keep you all updated. Thanks for you kind words, thoughts, prayers, and consideration!
Love,
Tanna |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 01 2009 : 05:05:40 AM
Tanna- I am sure having a decision made takes a little of the weight off! I am sure everything will go perfectly. I hope so for both you and him! I'll keep you both in my thoughts!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Tapestry |
Posted - Aug 01 2009 : 01:55:49 AM
Read your update Tanna and will continue to keep Liam and your family in my prayers.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
| Lessie Louise |
Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 2:50:49 PM
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers
how sweet it is to love some one, how right itis to care |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 24 2009 : 8:59:41 PM
Tanna-
What a sweet boy Liam must be! *hugs* I will keep you in my thoughts and pray for you and your family.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Cabinprincess |
Posted - Jul 24 2009 : 8:32:58 PM
No wonder Jesus says to come to Him as a child. Children have an innocents about them we should all pray for. No matter what they endure their main thoughts are just to be children who can play. Why do we all want to grow up so fast. We have a mighty Father, I will ask Him for a miracle in Liam's life. I know God has many praying for your son you are not even aware of, so chin up, all will be well.
Smiles, Melody June
God's gift to you are your talents, your gift to Him is how you use them. |
| Tanna |
Posted - Jul 24 2009 : 8:14:44 PM
Hi,
I'm sorry I haven't been here sooner. I haven't been home much.
The Dr. said things I already knew really. I just wanted someone to tell me that these episodes are just flukes and this problem will go away. Not very realistic I know.
You see, when Liam was in and out of the hospital as a baby and toddler they had planned on doing this ablation. I actually wanted it done but when they weaned him off the medication there was a chance the condition would have worked its self out. It really seemed to go away, but it didn't. But it hasn't been as bad as it was when he was a baby. The dr. says it will continue and get harder to control. By the time he hits puberty we will be right back where we started. In and out of the hospital but he will not tolerate the fast heart rate as well when he is bigger.
If we go with the medication it is something he will take everyday forever or until he gets the ablation. One of the main side-effects is depression. Liam is just about the happiest kids you will ever meet.
The ablation has a 95% rate of total success, and has a 99% safety record. It is a lot safer now than it was 3 years ago. The dr. told me he did one last week on an 18 month old and it went fine. Just the stress of someone going in to your baby's heart and messing around is frightening.
Liam actually wants to do the ablation. I think the stress of thinking at any moment your heart is just going to go bonkers is a lot for him. He also wants to play sports, something he may not be able to do otherwise.
We are leaning that direction but taking the weekend to decide. If we do schedule this it won't be for at least a month. I will post as soon as I know for sure what we are doing and when.
Thanks so much for caring. Just knowing there are terrific women here being so supportive is very helpful!
Tanna
Farmgirl #644 |
| Cabinprincess |
Posted - Jul 24 2009 : 07:29:32 AM
Hi Tanna,
How did the Dr's appt go yesterday?? What did he say? Get a cup of coffee and tell me what happened!!
Smiles, Melody June
God's gift to you are your talents, your gift to Him is how you use them. |
| Julia |
Posted - Jul 22 2009 : 6:07:23 PM
Prayers for wisdom and direction ascending.
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440 |
| Lessie Louise |
Posted - Jul 22 2009 : 1:09:21 PM
Always get a second opinion, but as a Rn, the outcomes are always better when parents go with their gut instinct. Liam will be in my prayers... I have a Liam too, he is 17. They are great people!
how sweet it is to love some one, how right itis to care |
| Tanna |
Posted - Jul 22 2009 : 12:23:53 PM
Thank y'all so much. You're all too kind.
Melody June, thank you for the offer. That is so sweet!
Hopefully we will know more and feel better after tomorrow.
Tanna |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Jul 22 2009 : 07:01:27 AM
Oh, Tanna, I'm so sorry your little one has to deal with things like this. Children just shouldn't have to.
Having said that, I would go to the first doctor that you saw, when he was first diagnosed. Especially if you trust him, and you value his opinions...that's why there are so many doctors out there, and, afterall, this is YOUR son, and YOU have to make this decision, so why not be (at least) as comfortable with the decision as you can be? Liam will be fine--he'll be more than fine--children are so resilient, it's their mommies and daddies that suffer for them. So, again, I say, take charge of his care and ask all the questions, find out all the alternatives, visit all the doctors you can. This will give you the capacity to make an informed decision, and give you a little peace of mind.
Praying for your family, and little Liam especially!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Jul 22 2009 : 06:55:45 AM
Tanna,
I also agree with getting a second opinion from the first doctor. I think when making any life changing decision it's best to get another opinion. I will be praying for you and your family Tanna and for the Lord to give you wisdom in making a decision.
Melody June, How very sweet and generous of you!
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| Tapestry |
Posted - Jul 22 2009 : 03:14:05 AM
Tanna, I agree about getting a second opinion from the dr. who knows your son well and whom you trust. It may help you make the best decision for your son based on information he can give you. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
| Windsong |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 11:20:40 PM
Tanna, one of my best friends has a daughter that had to have heart surgery early on and she has improved so much in her health. She did have it at Cooks. Another thing is kids with heart problems tend to be smaller.
And a few years back I sat with a friend who had twins who were having health problems. She had nobody to sit with her at the hospital and I went by several days. The amazing thing was how many very sick children would come in one day, have surgery, and go home two days later. The staff said kids just heal so fast.
I will pray for your son and for your wisdom. You follow what it tells you.
LaVonna
www.windsongwellnessandtherapyshoppe.com
http://sadiesfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| melanie47601 |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 9:03:27 PM
You are all in my prayers. My son has a heart condition too. Not the same as your son's. Sometimes it can be hard to change doctors. The doc my son had since birth moved a couple of years ago. But since your first doc isn't very far away maybe it would be a good idea to go get a second opinion from him. Especially since you have not known the new doctor long and aren't completly comfortable with him yet. Getting a second opinion doesn't hurt.
Hugs~ Melanie
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh Crap, She's up!"
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
Swap Blog~ http://mels-swapshop.blogspot.com/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 8:17:38 PM
I hope you find out more Thurs. And maybe feel better about this doc after you've talked to him. But a second opinion is a good thing especially about something like this. I will be praying for ya'll. I can imagine this is really hard for you.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| peapicker |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 6:31:50 PM
Tanna, if you feel more comfortable with the first doctor, it might help to get the second opinion. I'll be praying for you and little Liam.
Sharlet |
| Cabinprincess |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 6:14:21 PM
You are his mom, you will do fine. These things are never easy but we listen to the Dr's and our hearts guide us. Just know there will be many prayers going up for you and your son. I will pray for calmness just for your husband. I just over here in Athens so if you need ANYTHING let me know.
Smiles, Melody June
God's gift to you are your talents, your gift to Him is how you use them. |
| Claude09647 |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 5:54:39 PM
whoops.. typo.... only because i think i didn't want to listen to what my origional doctors prognosis was.
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." |
| Claude09647 |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 5:52:57 PM
Hey hun, I cant say i have had any heart trouble, but i do have my seizure problems. In some of my experience, its well worth your way to stay with your doctor you have had. Its always a plus to get a second opinion though. I recently went to a new doctor to get a second opinion, only because i think i didn't want to listen to what he said. But after many doctors visits with other doctors, he ended up being right. He has known my whole history and didn't only get what i could remember to tell the new doctors. Trust your gut. Its usually right, even when you dont want it to be
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." |
