Whats Been Happening since Ayden's Birth and First Surgery
After this first open heart surgery (OHS), Ayden had 5 minor surgeries; 2 sets of tubes in his ears, Digestive Scope because for his serious reflux from being intubated so many times at such a young age, and 2 heart catheters to explore any damage in his heart that was caused by surgery.
During the year of 2009 Ayden was increasingly sick. His immune system was very weak because his heart was in congestive heart failure. Ayden’s body creates calcium deposits and scar tissue in the places that stitches were done to hold his pulmonary conduit in place. The scar tissue was blocking his valves and not allowing the blood to flow through properly and there was a good chance the valves were too damaged to be fixed.
We were then again put under quarantine and not allowed to leave the house. Travis and Makayla would have to strip down every day at the back door and go straight to the shower. Clothes were washed immediately. His surgeon wanted to schedule another open heart surgery to fix the scar tissue but we just needed to stay healthy until surgery day.
During Ayden’s second OHS, Dr. M replaced the artificial tube from his very first OHS (pulmonary artery) with a cows jugular - AMAZING!!! (Or as the medical world likes to call it -Bovine valve). Also, Ayden had some other issues with the tricuspid valve in the right Ventricle that he wanted to try to fix but was unable, so Dr. M did a Glenn Shunt procedure. This means his blood was permanently rerouted and puts less pressure on the value and heart. Estimated time of the surgery was 5 hours but it took 7. A lot better then 9.
Since Ayden’s last OHS he has done very well. It’s amazing that when you see him you would never know how sick he was or is. He has never let his condition slow him down.
But unfortunately just this past May we didn’t receive the best news at our routine cardio check up. Ayden's pulmonary valves are narrowing with scar tissue which is causing the tricuspid valve to work overtime. Also, the second artificial artery has failed-it seems like Ayden’s body seems to think of this as something foreign and attacks it.
Ayden’s cardiologist, Dr. Kao said Dr. M wants to do another OHS & replace the bovine conduit & valve that he put in, in January 2010 w/ a pig conduit or porcine valve, but this time using a Gortex conduit. Ayden seems to be rejecting these other types of conduit / valve by calcification or scarring. After speaking to both Dr. Kao and Dr. M we are allowed to wait until Sept 7th to the do the surgery. Travis and I didn’t want Ayden in the hospital all summer and as of right now he is healthy enough to do anything he wants as long as he stays healthy. Dr. Kao has been keeping a close eye on him through frequent appointments and as of today he has still been doing very well. His blood pressure has increased some, and he is staring to swell in his face. We have raised a lot of his medication levels to keep everything under control.
Right now we are focusing on our vacation to Destin , Florida
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