This post is long overdue; I apologize for that.
Emma Kate had her heart cath in May. Originally, it was planned for April, but she ended up getting sick with the flu two weeks beforehand. She recovered really quickly and she only acted sick for a day or so. Her fever went away after two days and she was acting normally soon after her diagnosis. We realize how fortunate she was to recover so well. What we did not realize is that being on antibiotics would affect the readings of her cath, so we had to reschedule everything.
So, May 3 came around and we took her to the hospital early that morning. She was in such a good mood, and had no idea what was going to happen. Here's a few pictures of her before.
She got a little Versed before they took her back to make her really sleepy. Honestly, it was hilarious. She was so cute, drunk off that versed. :) Note: She loves the movie "Wreck It Ralph" and a few times she says, "Ralph my man. My main man," to Brooks and it was adorable.
Coming out of the cath lab, Emma Kate was extubated and threw a fit. We didn't see it, but could hear her crying and screaming. I think this is pretty normal. Coming out of the anesthesia was rough for her, but she got back to being normal pretty easily.
The cath went well. Everything looked great with her heart function. Everything was wide open--no narrowing, no collateral vessels, her pressures were perfect. The doctor gave us some pictures taken during the cath that showed her heart and lungs. They are seriously amazing. I will have to scan and post them. One actually showed her teeny left ventricle, the one that does not function, as you know. It was really amazing seeing all of that.
Coming out of the cath lab, Emma Kate was extubated and threw a fit. We didn't see it, but could hear her crying and screaming. I think this is pretty normal. Coming out of the anesthesia was rough for her, but she got back to being normal pretty easily.
The cath went well. Everything looked great with her heart function. Everything was wide open--no narrowing, no collateral vessels, her pressures were perfect. The doctor gave us some pictures taken during the cath that showed her heart and lungs. They are seriously amazing. I will have to scan and post them. One actually showed her teeny left ventricle, the one that does not function, as you know. It was really amazing seeing all of that.
She was really hungry after the cath, and got to eat graham crackers until her pancakes and eggs were ready that she ordered.
She watched cartoons on the TV in her room while she was still waking up from the medicine.
Here she is playing in her bed with one of her Lalaloopsy dolls. This was maybe two hours after.
And here she is dressed and ready to head home.
And here she is dressed and ready to head home.
Now we are gearing up for surgery, which will be Tuesday, July 9th. Brooks, Emma Kate and I will head up to Atlanta on July 7th, as we need to be there on Monday for all her pre-op stuff: blood draws, probably an echo and meeting the surgeon, Dr. Alsoufi. I think I may have mentioned that the surgeon who did her first two OHS moved to Connecticut. We will miss having him here this time around, but we've heard very positive things about Dr. Alsoufi.
I will be keeping the blog updated throughout our stay at CHOA. We expect all things to go well during the surgery, but we sure would appreciate all of your prayers for Emma Kate.
