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Apr. 1st, 2009 11:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mrockwellUpdate
March 2009 Tally
Submissions: 1
Rejections: 0
Sales: 2
Total submissions for 2009: 15
Total rejections: 12
Total sales: 3
Ave. submissions/month for 2009: 5
Percent sales for 2009: 20%
Writing
Been a little busy. See below.
Everything Else
For those of you who don't already know, last Thursday at Max's first pediatrician visit, his doctor heard a fairly significant heart murmur and referred us to a pediatric cardiologist. We went on Friday to do an echocardiogram, where they saw a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), which is basically a hole in his heart. At that point, we didn't know how bad it was -- small ones usually close on their own, but larger ones require medication and/or surgery.
Tuesday we saw the cardiologist to discuss the results.
Max has a medium VSD (4 mm), a size that might or might not close on its own. Unfortunately, it is right below the aorta, so the potential for causing further (and much more serious) damage is pretty high.
Right now, we are in a holding pattern. The cardiologist doesn't want to start any medications just yet, since Max is so young. We go back in two weeks (and every two weeks after that, for the foreseeable future), where they will do a chest x-ray and another echocardiogram and assess his breathing and weight gain. He is experiencing rapid breathing (65 breaths per minute at rest, when the normal for an infant -- awake -- is 40) and trouble nursing, which are caused by the fact that too much blood is being sent to his lungs and they aren't able to handle the extra fluid. If there is no improvement by his next visit, the cardiologist will start him on diuretics and possibly ACE inhibitors to make it easier for his heart to pump. If he isn't gaining weight well, the doctor will also want me to supplement my breast milk with a special formula mixture -- meaning I will have to pump the milk, add the mixture in, and feed him from a bottle, which is hugely disappointing to me, but I'll do whatever I need to for my baby boy. Hopefully it won't come to that, though, since he seems to be gaining well right now.
They will monitor him for a couple of months to see if there's any sign that the hole might close on its own, but because of the proximity to the aorta, they can't afford to wait as long as they normally would, and the cardiologist pretty much said we'd likely be looking at surgery at some point between 2 and 6 months. The goal right now is really just to get him stronger, so he can weather that procedure better.
So for now we wait, and pray. Your continued prayers and positive thoughts would be much appreciated.
March 2009 Tally
Submissions: 1
Rejections: 0
Sales: 2
Total submissions for 2009: 15
Total rejections: 12
Total sales: 3
Ave. submissions/month for 2009: 5
Percent sales for 2009: 20%
Writing
Been a little busy. See below.
Everything Else
For those of you who don't already know, last Thursday at Max's first pediatrician visit, his doctor heard a fairly significant heart murmur and referred us to a pediatric cardiologist. We went on Friday to do an echocardiogram, where they saw a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), which is basically a hole in his heart. At that point, we didn't know how bad it was -- small ones usually close on their own, but larger ones require medication and/or surgery.
Tuesday we saw the cardiologist to discuss the results.
Max has a medium VSD (4 mm), a size that might or might not close on its own. Unfortunately, it is right below the aorta, so the potential for causing further (and much more serious) damage is pretty high.
Right now, we are in a holding pattern. The cardiologist doesn't want to start any medications just yet, since Max is so young. We go back in two weeks (and every two weeks after that, for the foreseeable future), where they will do a chest x-ray and another echocardiogram and assess his breathing and weight gain. He is experiencing rapid breathing (65 breaths per minute at rest, when the normal for an infant -- awake -- is 40) and trouble nursing, which are caused by the fact that too much blood is being sent to his lungs and they aren't able to handle the extra fluid. If there is no improvement by his next visit, the cardiologist will start him on diuretics and possibly ACE inhibitors to make it easier for his heart to pump. If he isn't gaining weight well, the doctor will also want me to supplement my breast milk with a special formula mixture -- meaning I will have to pump the milk, add the mixture in, and feed him from a bottle, which is hugely disappointing to me, but I'll do whatever I need to for my baby boy. Hopefully it won't come to that, though, since he seems to be gaining well right now.
They will monitor him for a couple of months to see if there's any sign that the hole might close on its own, but because of the proximity to the aorta, they can't afford to wait as long as they normally would, and the cardiologist pretty much said we'd likely be looking at surgery at some point between 2 and 6 months. The goal right now is really just to get him stronger, so he can weather that procedure better.
So for now we wait, and pray. Your continued prayers and positive thoughts would be much appreciated.
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no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 07:23 pm (UTC)I cannot even imagine. Sending all the positive vibes I've got.
no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:07 pm (UTC)Oh, Marcy :( God bless Max G.
Date: 2009-04-05 12:34 am (UTC)I am so, so, so sad to hear his wee heart has woes. But he has you and good doctors and the prayers of the saints. I will pray for a miracle of healing. May God's hand be very strong and full of grace on Max and you and your family.
Hugs,
Mir
Re: Oh, Marcy :( God bless Max G.
Date: 2009-04-07 12:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 07:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 08:33 pm (UTC)It sounds like the doctor is on top of this and Max is in good hands. He will be all right. It's just going to take a little time and be really hard on you. :)
You and Max are getting all the positive energy I have. It's all yours.
can. not. type.
no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:08 pm (UTC)Yes. That.
Thank you. ::HUGS::
no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 08:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 08:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 10:05 pm (UTC)My father was raised Catholic and my grandmother was very devout, so I understand the comfort and the power of Catholic traditions. In that spirit, I will light a candle for you and Max every day.
Wish I could do more.
no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 10:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:09 pm (UTC)So sorry
Date: 2009-04-01 10:28 pm (UTC)Re: So sorry
Date: 2009-04-03 08:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 11:26 pm (UTC)(Don't worry, I haven't screwed too many people up with my positive thoughts.)
:-)
no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 11:53 pm (UTC)Remind me of where you live? My own childhood gave me a grand tour of many fine children's hospitals.
At one time, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was considered at the top of the game in this department.
I have a friend, about two years younger than me, who had this issue, and had open heart surgery as an infant. Obviously, he did well, since he's now closing on 40 and is quite healthy. I can ask him where he was treated as a child, if that would help.
You have my email, contact me separately if you want/need more information. It sounds like you've found a good doctor, though. Keep positive!
no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:15 pm (UTC)Thanks for the positive thoughts!
no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-02 11:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 08:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-07 08:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-07 08:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-07 09:10 pm (UTC)You're in my thoughts and prayers.
no subject
Date: 2009-04-10 07:13 pm (UTC)