Cath and lately

It's been busy around here. Bela's cath went really well. As well as it could've gone probably. I stayed home with Ruthie in the morning and Tanner took her and actually sent her off before I got there. Normally, that would've never been ok with me, but I have to admit that it was actually so nice to not be there for that part. They gave her versed before they took her back which made her totally loopy.. I got some great video of her as happy as she could be. Tanner said she just waved bye to him and that was it! She came out of anesthesia so much more calm than last time too, and woke up much quicker. She was so thirsty she chugged her sippy cup of water, then threw it all up but immediately wanted more. She was not happy when she had to wait. We got to come home that night and we were all so glad to sleep in our beds.

Labs drawn at the cath came back with crazy thyroid results, possibly what was causing her lack of appetite and tiredness. We've been changing up her dosing and trying to get her back in the normal range. I took her to get her blood drawn last week and her TSH was still way too low. I have to take her in again tomorrow and hopefully we'll see some improvements. I think we will...the last two days I feel like I've had my Bela back. She had a fabulous day today, was her usual funny, happy self that I havn't seen in a couple months. I felt so happy today!

We met with Dr. Nigro her amazing heart surgeon on Friday to go over the details for her surgery. While some of it went over my head, I did understand perfectly when he said her oxygen sats should be in the 90's when this is over and possibly close to 100 in the months following! I'm so anxious for her to feel the increased oxygen and feel more energy as a result. Beth also said that regardless of weight issues and thyroid issues, heart wise she is in great shape going into this surgery. Her pressures are low and her function continues to be nice and strong. Music to my ears... hearing that has kinda given me a high all weekend long! I needed to hear some good news! Dr. Nigro is confident he can repair her leaky Tricuspid valve too and that she'll do just fine during the surgery. It's the recovery that can be so hard... BUT, we'll deal with that one day at a time when that time comes.

We also decided to put her G-tube back in to give her some help with her nutrition. She hasn't been eating great, and it'll help her be stronger going into surgery and help her through the recovery as well. She has good days and not so good days with eating, and this way, we can help her out a little on those not so good days. She's trying her best, but some days she just dosn't feel good enough to want to eat much. I was very against this at first, but in the last week I have had so much clarity and reassurance about it and I know that it's the right thing for her.

So the plan is to get her thyroid back in balance, get the G-tube in this week, and get her strong and ready for a March 5th Fontan procedure and tricuspid repair. Piece of cake, right?! I'll be happy when April comes around..:)

Comments

Shannon said…
Wow, a busy February and one crazy day on March 5 for your family. I keep Bela , and all of you in my prayers. Here's to Spring!
January 22, 2012 at 8:23 PM
Amy Bennett said…
Wow, somehow I missed that it's already Fontan time! I was just wondering why she was having a cath, but it makes sense. Will definitely be keeping you all in our prayers!!! before you know it, you'll be saying you're "post-Fontan!!!"
January 22, 2012 at 11:41 PM
Auburn said…
You make it all seem like a piece of cake with your upbeat attitude and positive outlook. You and Tanner never cease to amaze Dave and I, and that little Bela is amazing!!
January 23, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Victoria said…
Hang in there! You guys are so great.
January 30, 2012 at 12:04 PM
likeschocolate said…
So glad everything went well!
February 7, 2012 at 8:46 PM
Anonymous said…
Glad that the cath went well! London's Fontan is March 13th. So, hopefully we'll see you guys at PCH. I'm sure Bella will be ready to head home by the time we get there! :) Let's hope that April comes fast!!
February 10, 2012 at 9:19 PM
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