You Can Not Keep A Good (Little) Man Down

Last Friday I finally spoke with the cardiology team at Children’s Hospital and they scheduled Tru’s heart catheterization for Tuesday (yesterday). It all happened very quickly but if we took this appointment we may not have to postpone his leg surgery later this month. Enough said – book it! I called Pa-Pa Bill (Jody’s dad) and he was here the next day to help take care of Lin-Ley while I took care of Tru at the hospital.

Tru and I went to the hospital on Monday for his pre-cath screening. They worked him over with tests. He was a good sport and actually showed off his newly acquired walking skills while we were waiting for his appointment to begin. I think he is trying to tell me, “Mom, I really do not need another surgery. Look what I can do!”



Tru was cleared for a heart catheterization. He needed a stint in his aorta but because of his body size they decided that they should only perform an angioplasty at this time. Perhaps he would be ready for the stint in a couple of years. That was actually good news because we were told that if he received the stint that he would have to be on aspirin therapy for six months afterward. If he were taking aspirin he would not be able to have any other surgeries for six months. So we were happy about the angioplasty even though we understood that he would need more heart procedures later.

Tru in his peek-a-boo hospital gown before the cath. He has had his blood pressure taken so much he decided that he knew how to work the machine too.
















We arrived at the hospital yesterday for his heart cath and everything was under way. After about 1.5 hours the doctor came out to speak with me. I thought they were done but he took me into the consultation room and told me that he wanted to install the stint now. Tru weighed one kilogram more than he was initially told and due to the severity of the coarchtation in his aorta he felt it was best to place the stint now. Of course I agreed but then thought about the aspirin therapy. Before I could even complete my sentence he assured me that Tru could discontinue the aspirin as needed for his leg surgery without problem.

After another 1.5 hours Tru was wheeled to recovery. Everything went very well and exactly according to plan. The stint that was placed in his aorta has the ability to be dilated as he gets older and his heart grows. That means that he will need a minimum of two more catheterizations in the coming years.

Because of the catheterization Tru had to remain still and laying flat for six hours in the recovery room. If you have ever been around Tru you know that “being still” is not an option. They tried to help sedate him through his IV but apparently he is very resistant to sedation. He was miserable! He wanted to get up but he was not allowed to bend at the wait. He did not understand why he could not sit up. I tried to hold him for short while but he was too wiggly. For his own good I agreed to have a seat belt type device placed across his stomach to help keep him still. Over all I must say he did very, very well. But at the stroke of the sixth hour Tru was up and instantly much happier. He ate some macaroni and cheese and chocolate cake and all was well with the world!

We spent the night in the PACU and Tru actually slept for almost seven hours. Unlike other hospitals this one specializes in children. Therefore the nurses were actually extremely careful about being quiet when coming into the room during the night. I was so thankful! This morning we were woken up at 5AM by the EKG tech. Then a chest x-ray. Then we waited and waited and waited to be released. Then Tru had an echocardiogram. Then we waited some more. While we were waiting Tru took the opportunity to explore outside of our room. He and the nurses had a good visit:

Tru talked, walked, entertained and charmed the nurses. In return they gave him a cookie from their secret stash - Jackpot!











And of course he had to show off his walking skills again much to their delight:


We arrived home around 1PM. Tru was so excited to be home he was almost giddy.

God is good and He has certainly taken good care of us and especially Tru. Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers! One more surgery to go. Tru does not realize just what he will be able to do after his leg surgery. How exciting for him!!!

Cheese!














By the way…
Happy Mardi Gras! (Feb 5, 2008)
Happy Chinese New Year! (Feb 7, 2008) The year of the rat!