DD diagnosed with heart defect

[Dis_Grk Grl]

Friday afternoon we wento a Pediatric Cardiologist in Manhattan, referred to us by DD's pediatrician. In the past few weeks she has started to wake up in the middle of the night with heart palpatations, and shortness of breath. We thought maybe it was night terrors, or something associated with a sleep disorder. Her pediatrician heart a tick in her heart and sent us to the cardiologist. She underwent an EKG and an echocardiogram. Turns out she has Ventricular Septal Defect. In other words, there is a small hole in her heart. It is something she was born with, but since it is not a more severe heart defect, it didn't show up until now. We booked her for surgery on Tues., January 3rd, and the doctor says she will most likely be home on Thursday or Friday, and able to return to normal activities about a week later. The cardiologist says she will be fine, and that after the surgery she will be able to go back to Gymnastics, and any other activity she wants-- she will lead a perfectly normal, healthy life. That doesn't stop the fact that me and DH are terrified and now I have her sleeping in our room because I am terrified that something will happen if she's not next to me all the time. I'm afraid to send her to day care tomorrow, even though I know she will be fine. The doctor was not to concerned. Has anyone else had any expierence with anything like this? I'm sorry for rambling, I just needed to get this out. Thanks for listening!!
Nicole

 

[Mermaid02]

My nephew had this. Had surgery when he was almost 3 I think, no problems now! He's the quarterback for his middle school football team!!! My cousin had this also, no treatment and her hole repaired itself (that was over 30 years ago, not sure they did surgery for it then).

Prayers for your little girl- and you and your husband too!

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

My DD had to have a balloon catheter at 4 months to unblock a valve. I know how scared you must be feeling. The day of the procedure I was a nervous wreck. Luckily everything went very smoothly and she is totally fine now. Try not to stress too much, she will be fine.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You will be FINE!!!!! I understand the terror.

My now 14yodd was born with a life threatening defect, Tetrology of Fallot. She had other complications in addition to a VSD. Right now as a 14yo, she walks around with a slightly enlarged heart and she has a small atrial hole.

My nephew was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (no left heart). He is still alive. The things they can do these days are AMAZING!

Right now I do have a concern for my youngest. She does have a murmur and I did get her checked out when she was younger, but she has had passing out spells under stress.

You will get her fixed and the only thing that will change is she will have to have premeds when she goes for a dental appt.

Something to think about is blood donation for her surgery. You can donate your own blood. But there are rules so I would ask right away.

I wasn't able to donate, as my dd ended up getting emergency open heart surgery at 4 months instead of the scheduled 6 months they wanted.

 

[wdwmom2]

We occasionally see them in our pedi practice. VSD's sometimes close spontaniously, sometimes need surgery. Every surgical repair our patients have had to have has turned out great!!! to you and your DD.

 

[Serena]

I would be terrified too. Sending prayers that all goes well.

 

[Disney Ella]

I can imagine just how scared you must be. Hope everything goes well for your DD!

 

[raammartin]

 

[lynetteSC]

 

[nativetxn]

I know this is scary but I have known several people whose child had this surgery and they not only did well but just feel so much better than they did before the surgery.

The hard part will be waiting until the surgery. {{{HUGS}}} sweetie. I will say a prayer for your daughter.

Katholyn

 

[Dis_Grk Grl]

Awww thanks everyone for their kind words! It's good to hear about all the children who had things similar and are now fine. Of course, that doesn't mean that the next 7 weeks until surgery will not be the most nerve wracking of my life. December is Disney, and Christmas, and so I'm focusing on that, and what a great month we will have, without the thought of Jan. 3rd looming over everything. Again, thank you for all of your kind words, it helps to know that this did happen to other people (not that I would ever wish this on anyone), and their children are ok.

Nicole

 

[MoniqueU]

for your daughter and your family. Hang in there.

 

[dmslush]

Your daughter will be in my thoughts!!

 

[Lars624]

 

[Blueeyes101817]

 

[dvcfamily41801]

 

[AnaheimGirl]

((Hugs))

I know this must be very scary for you. My dd had a minor heart abnormality, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, and it was terrifying to learn of it. For me, it was helpful to research and learn about it, and my research led me to the same conclusion as the doctors, that it wasn't anything to be concerned about in the short term. Hers wasn't corrected until she was 5, as the PC had hoped it might correct itself on it's own. She's 8 and just fine now.

How old is your dd?

 

[VSL]

The cardiologist says she will be fine, and that after the surgery she will be able to go back to Gymnastics, and any other activity she wants-- she will lead a perfectly normal, healthy life. That doesn't stop the fact that me and DH are terrified and now I have her sleeping in our room because I am terrified that something will happen if she's not next to me all the time. I'm afraid to send her to day care tomorrow, even though I know she will be fine.

I would be exactly the same (and I don't even have kids yet!).

 

[Felicia]

My SIL had heart surgery to fix the 'hole' in her heart when she was in her 30's!!! She was born with it and her mother NEVER said or did anything about it (we learned this once she was diagnosed as an adult.) She was in her 30's and started feeling tired and short of breath, that was her sypmtoms. The doctors couldn't believe she had 2 children, natural childbirth(labor and all) with this hole. She was lucky to have survived going through labor!

Anyway she is fine now. So will your child. God Bless.

 

[tar heel]

We were so lucky -- the VSD our son was born with had closed by his annual cardiac exam when he was 2. Hugs to you -- I know how worried you are, but I researched the defect when our son's was disagnosed and it's very fixable and doesn't usually cause any life-long effects.