Jersey #2 had an appointment with her pediatric cardiologist last week. It has been just over 3 months since her open-heart surgery to replace her pulmonary valve. We were anxious to learn more about the level of success of the surgery, her current heart health, and the prognosis for her future.
The results are super duper!
I smile every time I think about it. I think her cardiologist dispensed the highest level of healthy heart news I have ever heard about Jersey #2 in a single clinic visit! I just can't contain my excitement.
I praise God every day, for such incredible healing.
In a nutshell, Jersey #2 is about as healthy as can be for a person with her heart condition. That new valve is in its place and working great. It is doing its job so well that her entire health status has improved.
We see that she has grown and gained weight, which is a great blessing. Now, it has been clinically proven that she is indeed bigger than she was before. That means her heart has successfully endured a growth spurt. This is such a common thing in kids, that most parents don't celebrate it. But, in a heart patient whose growth has been altered by the weakness in her heart, this is BIG! Huge! Enormous! If I type a few more exclamation points, will it convey the level of excitement and relief I feel as a mother?!?!
This valve is serving her heart so well, that she is no longer in the high risk category for lung illnesses, such as the flu. This means her heart is performing well enough to keep her lungs healthy too. This is a first for her. A milestone. This is incredible!
Another thing that is absolutely incredible is that her cardiologist does not need to see her for another evaluation for ONE WHOLE YEAR! Hallelujah! Annual check-ups with the cardiologist are the best outcome for a heart patient. Jersey #2 will require annual check-ups for the rest of her life. But, when her heart is weaker, those check-ups have to occur more frequently. We knew things were going downhill when she started having to be checked every 6 months. When it dropped to every 3 months, we were quite nervous for her health. We were not expecting her to return to annual check-ups so quickly following surgery. Her recovery has been amazing!
Jersey #2 will continue taking an aspirin a day, to prevent blood clots around that new valve, for the next 3 months. The time line for the body's endothelial cells to cover that new valve so that it no longer appears foreign is 3-6 months. Since Jersey #2 is tolerating the aspirin well, and is not resisting taking it, her cardiologist would like to err on the side of caution and have her take it the full 6 months of that recommendation. (I give it to her every day at lunch time, and she has not had any trouble with it upseting her stomach). After that (around Thanksgiving), she will be medication-free....which is also an incredible thing for a heart patient.
In terms of lifestyle, Jersey #2 is free to live the life of a normal 7-year old child. She has no activity restrictions whatsoever. She can push herself to her own personal limit, and her heart should cooperate well. She is essentially in the clear to enjoy life--with annual cardiology check-ups--until that valve starts to wear out. Valves can last 15 years, but tend to average around 7 years in children. We have no idea what to expect with Jersey #2 and her valve, so we will just enjoy life to the fullest until her valve starts to wear out.
The right ventricle of her heart is still quite large, but looks subjectively better than it did immediately after surgery. Time will tell if it reduces in size, or if she grows into it, or how her body will compensate for that. Right now, it does not appear to be a problem for her in any way, so that is good. We may learn more about that in a year.
Jersey #2 will need antibiotics prior to dental work and minor surgeries, as an attempt to protect her heart from endocarditis (infection of the lining of the heart). But, a chest guard is not necessary for her to play sports. Her sternum is considered as strong as it will ever be. Her pink scar will fade in color over time.
Our Tenderheart Jersey #2 is healthy once again!
The results are super duper!
I smile every time I think about it. I think her cardiologist dispensed the highest level of healthy heart news I have ever heard about Jersey #2 in a single clinic visit! I just can't contain my excitement.
I praise God every day, for such incredible healing.
In a nutshell, Jersey #2 is about as healthy as can be for a person with her heart condition. That new valve is in its place and working great. It is doing its job so well that her entire health status has improved.
We see that she has grown and gained weight, which is a great blessing. Now, it has been clinically proven that she is indeed bigger than she was before. That means her heart has successfully endured a growth spurt. This is such a common thing in kids, that most parents don't celebrate it. But, in a heart patient whose growth has been altered by the weakness in her heart, this is BIG! Huge! Enormous! If I type a few more exclamation points, will it convey the level of excitement and relief I feel as a mother?!?!
This valve is serving her heart so well, that she is no longer in the high risk category for lung illnesses, such as the flu. This means her heart is performing well enough to keep her lungs healthy too. This is a first for her. A milestone. This is incredible!
Another thing that is absolutely incredible is that her cardiologist does not need to see her for another evaluation for ONE WHOLE YEAR! Hallelujah! Annual check-ups with the cardiologist are the best outcome for a heart patient. Jersey #2 will require annual check-ups for the rest of her life. But, when her heart is weaker, those check-ups have to occur more frequently. We knew things were going downhill when she started having to be checked every 6 months. When it dropped to every 3 months, we were quite nervous for her health. We were not expecting her to return to annual check-ups so quickly following surgery. Her recovery has been amazing!
Jersey #2 will continue taking an aspirin a day, to prevent blood clots around that new valve, for the next 3 months. The time line for the body's endothelial cells to cover that new valve so that it no longer appears foreign is 3-6 months. Since Jersey #2 is tolerating the aspirin well, and is not resisting taking it, her cardiologist would like to err on the side of caution and have her take it the full 6 months of that recommendation. (I give it to her every day at lunch time, and she has not had any trouble with it upseting her stomach). After that (around Thanksgiving), she will be medication-free....which is also an incredible thing for a heart patient.
In terms of lifestyle, Jersey #2 is free to live the life of a normal 7-year old child. She has no activity restrictions whatsoever. She can push herself to her own personal limit, and her heart should cooperate well. She is essentially in the clear to enjoy life--with annual cardiology check-ups--until that valve starts to wear out. Valves can last 15 years, but tend to average around 7 years in children. We have no idea what to expect with Jersey #2 and her valve, so we will just enjoy life to the fullest until her valve starts to wear out.
The right ventricle of her heart is still quite large, but looks subjectively better than it did immediately after surgery. Time will tell if it reduces in size, or if she grows into it, or how her body will compensate for that. Right now, it does not appear to be a problem for her in any way, so that is good. We may learn more about that in a year.
Jersey #2 will need antibiotics prior to dental work and minor surgeries, as an attempt to protect her heart from endocarditis (infection of the lining of the heart). But, a chest guard is not necessary for her to play sports. Her sternum is considered as strong as it will ever be. Her pink scar will fade in color over time.
Our Tenderheart Jersey #2 is healthy once again!
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