The cardiologist's call finally came. The wait was 3 weeks and 1 day, not the 2 weeks originally suggested. The suspense was dragged out, but the news was expected. The entire team agrees that it is now time for Jersey #2's next heart surgery. She needs a new pulmonary valve placed, because the mesh patch currently in her heart, is no longer covering the job. The right ventricle (lower chamber) of her heart is getting too big, because it is working too hard. It is affecting her activity level. It is affecting her growth. It is no longer safe to live this way. The doctors feel it is wisest to wait until after flu season to perform the surgery. So, open-heart surgery is predicted for May, just 6 months from now.
6 months.
Six must be our magic number. It has only been 6 years since her first surgery. 6 years this month. We were told by the surgeon that day, that she would require a new valve later in life. We knew this was coming. We can't say we are shocked. So why do I still feel numb?
She is only 6 years old.
The original goal was to get her to adulthood before she would need that valve. It didn't take too many cardiology check-ups to prove that the mesh would not hold up until adulthood. Each check-up brought a new goal line...adulthood, adolescence, age 12, age 10....
or now, at age 6.
They promised me 6 years ago, that they would not let her get too sick before deciding to do this next surgery. I am glad they kept their word. She is still strong and active.
I just hope that I am strong enough too...
6 months.
Six must be our magic number. It has only been 6 years since her first surgery. 6 years this month. We were told by the surgeon that day, that she would require a new valve later in life. We knew this was coming. We can't say we are shocked. So why do I still feel numb?
She is only 6 years old.
The original goal was to get her to adulthood before she would need that valve. It didn't take too many cardiology check-ups to prove that the mesh would not hold up until adulthood. Each check-up brought a new goal line...adulthood, adolescence, age 12, age 10....
or now, at age 6.
They promised me 6 years ago, that they would not let her get too sick before deciding to do this next surgery. I am glad they kept their word. She is still strong and active.
I just hope that I am strong enough too...
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