Addison's yearly Cardiology appt update!

[mamatoheartbaby]

UPDATE: October 24^th, 2008 - Addison did pretty well this year, he wasn't too happy with the echo and keep saying ouch when Dr. Lapuk would push to see better, but we did get the EKG first try this year! I went in armed with lots of questions this year most of them having to do with Addison's future. Some of them are questions I really don't want to thin about but they are also things that I needed to know.

#1. Do you see Addison needing any further intervention? This answer is sort of vague, but did give me some insight on Addison's heart... which does have the predictors that say he may need a Pulmonary Valve Replacement at some point, but it would not be for a very long time as all the "stuff " they look at to decide this looks great right now! I also learned that Addison does have a Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) that I got to see on echo and EKG. Which leads to...

#2. What are the predictors for arrhythmias? One of these is the RBBB which is caused by how Dr Mello had to go in to repair the VSD that Addison had. Also scar tissue is a predictor for arrhythmias which we do have, but with only 1 surgery there is less of it than others who have had more surgeries.

#3. What are the risk factors for Sudden Cardiac Death? As with any heart defect Addison is at more risk for problems with his coronary arteries, but he is at no more of a risk for SCD that the person sitting next to you.

#4. What activities if any do you see him needing to avoid as he gets older? As Addison stands right now there is nothing that he can't do .... except it is highly recommended that he never gets his tongue pierced!! Of course this is something that can change as he gets older if he needs other interventions.

          We talked about the difference between this year's echo/EKG and last year's echo/EKG. Which are very close the numbers ( gradiant etc ) are a little higher but all still in a very normal range.  

          The rest of the questions were about how they handle heart kids as they get older and what other visits with cardiology will have in store for us. I found out that at CCMC they do holter monitors around 7 years old for the first time and every 2 years after that. That a Cardiac MRI would only be done if the echo wasn't giving them enough of info that they needed. We also talked about over the counter cough and cold medicines and he told me what I knew he would which is that Addison should avoid anything that can increase his heart rate; this is something his pediatrician and I have already discussed.

          I was very glad that I came so prepared with my research done. I feel much more prepared for what our future in the heart world holds for us and Addison. As all heart families know and say it is like we are always waiting for the other shoe to fall... well I feel a little more ready to catch that shoe than be caught off guard by it!

 

 

 

For more info and pictures of Addison's progress check out his care page at http://www.carepages.com/.

Care page name addisonjacob7405

[MommyJen]

Oct. 26, 2008 at 6:51 AM

I am glad to hear everything went well.  I will be looking forward to seeing his toung piercing!  LOL

[Greeneyedinfl]

Oct. 26, 2008 at 7:44 PM

I am glad to hear all went well !!! Your family was in my thoughts and prayers. I didnt know that about the cought meds? I never even thought about that! Anyway its a relief to here that both My Matthew and Your Addison are healthy little guys. Now we can beathe alittle easier for the next year. Until next time!

[Hey_Momma]

Oct. 29, 2008 at 12:39 AM

I'm glad to hear everything went so well. It always feels like a huge weight is lifted off of your chest after the appt.

[ElJaMom]

Nov. 3, 2008 at 9:00 AM

YAY Addison!!!!  I love good news!!!