The Cath Experience

Yesterday my baby had her first cardiac cath. It won't be her last. We had to be at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. We got there early and the Kidstop was full where they were registering kiddos having surgeries. But, we were in the prep area in about 45 minutes. We met with the cath doctor who is awesome and the anesthesiologist. He said if he saw anything wrong, he would try to fix it. I think that should have been my clue #1 for the day. They gave her some medicine to relax her and she was loopy watching Yo Gabba Gabba (which I think is how it began in the first place so I think it was even more enjoyable for Grace...last thing she said to me before they put the mask on her was Mama...Muuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnoooooooooo). So, the doc tells me to give him about 3 hours. That's a super long time. We are in the waiting room on the 5th floor and we are the only ones until a homeless couple comes in and plops down, changes the channel and starts discussing how she told the cop that she didn't want to press charges even though this man she was with had hit her and she didn't want the man locked up and every other word was a four letter word. And she says that he can marry her now. Then they decide to leave because she wants to see if the shelter/free lunch has sodas. When they come back an hour or so later she is talking to herself and singing in the bathroom...they only stay for about 15 minutes to go back to the shelter. Apparently, this happens a lot. It's kinda scary but the nun said they couldn't do anything about it. From a safety standpoint, I think they should. Anyways, back to the cath, they find a vessel that is leaking and so they put in 8 coils to close it. He finds that there is a leaky valve too and other vessels but they are too small to get to. So, 3 hours turns to a bit longer. The doc says everything looks good and he's happy with what he saw. I don't think they know what is causing her low sat levels and they don't know what is going to be the best route. So....they are going to present her case next Tuesday to decide about surgery or what intervention will be done/not done. I should know something next week. Gracie did well. She was really groggy until about 3 a.m. and we had to stay in IMC overnight for observation where she was constantly desatting. I hate the alarms that go off there but the room is private, we had our own bathroom and I felt better that she was being monitored even though it was a pain to stay overnight. I think subconsciously I didn't pack a lot because I wanted to go home yesterday but looking back, I'm glad we did. She's been on and off fussy today which I totally get. Hopefully she'll feel even better tomorrow.

Two other things...her cath was captured by the local fox news kabb 29. It was very freakish seeing your child's torso knowing what was happening...the pediatrician called as we were leaving the hospital...Grace tested positive for mono. They did blood work last week as a just in case (she tested positive for strep)...so had to call the cardiologist...hoping it will not affect anything. Oh well...I think Grace needs her own soap opera about all the medical issues one little person can have in 2 years of her life...but it could be a whole lot worse. We truly are blessed by God and He never gives us what we can't handle. If I knew I was going to be a medical expert, I should have gone to medical school.