Monday, March 16, 2009

Heart Surgery Rescheduled

It's official. Everything's been rescheduled. I was really hoping that she would make some miraculous turn around and that she could still have her heart cath so we could keep the same schedule. So, I called the doctor who is doing the heart cath and discussed her issues with him.

She is still febrile - for a full 7 days now. And she just can't have a heart cath with a fever. And it wouldn't give us accurate results with her being sick anyway, so we really had no choice but to reschedule. Whatever the cause of the fever, when she's sick (and it could be just some normal, common bug) her heart just can't compensate. Her lungs sound clear - yet her oxygen saturation levels are all over the place. From the 60s to the 70s (keep in mind a "normal" saturation of someone with a normal heart would be close to 100) and only higher when on supplemental oxygen (which she's on now all the time). But even with the oxygen, her sats are very hard to maintain above the 70s. One second she's on a half a liter, the next we have to turn it up to 1.5 liters. It's very annoying. Not to mention a tad bit unsettling as it probably means that she is getting to the point where she needs this surgery. Well, she's always needed it, but I mean that she needs it - soon. Don't get me wrong - it isn't an urgent situation - it just feels weird to know that her heart needs it sooner rather than later. It's hard to describe.

Anyway, so her heart cath was changed from tomorrow to March 31st and her heart surgery changed from April 2nd to April 16th. So, all in all, not too bad. I was really dreading rescheduling it since I feel like we had made plans and I was getting all geared up for it. But, only a 2-week change isn't bad. And now that means she'll be home for Easter, so that's a bonus.

Now to get her well...

So, Cooper got his ear tubes today. All went well. It was actually quite funny. The nurses were being all "sensitive" to me about it and I kept thinking, "what's all the fuss about?" One said something like, "tubes are a simple, quick procedure - although I know it's a big deal to you." HAH! If only!!!! And if I could be critical for just a second - a nurse called me a few days ago to do a pre-op thing over the phone. It took about 15 minutes - not really a big deal. But then this morning during all the MANY check-ins with various levels of the medical profession - I had to answer the exact same questions I did last week! In fact, the nurse had the pre-op form IN FRONT OF HER! And she read every single question to me to "verify" the answers. Now, I ask you - WHY call me ahead of time - keep me on the phone for 15 minutes - if you are just going to do it AGAIN that day??? I understand the need for accuracy - but frankly, I'd like to have my first 15 minutes back. I'm starting to think I spend way too much time in hospitals and doctor's offices...

Anyway, he was NOT a happy camper in recovery. I've never seen him so upset. Poor little guy. But after a good nap and lots of snuggle time, he was back to his happy self.

Well, that's it for tonight.
~Christy

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Christy, I LOVE the "Mama" pictures of Harlie with Cooper. What a doll she is and so loving towards him. It is just too cool for words. We're praying for Harlie to get over this infection and hope things go according to schedule from here on out.
Good luck!
Sue

Anonymous said...

Christy, Got your note last week. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry that the surgery is postponed. I know it is hard to "re" gear up. But gosh, it will be over and done with before you know it and we will all be here cheering on Miss Harlie! Hugs, Suzanne

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