I wanted to share a little more explanation today about Destiny's heart conditions. Destiny was born with three, not two, congenitive heart defects. They are appreciated TGA, VSD and PS.
This is what a normal heart would look like, if it were a house (drawings courtesy the Children's Heart Institute):
This is what a normal heart would look like, if it were a house (drawings courtesy the Children's Heart Institute):
This is what Destiny's heart would look like:
The number one is the TGA or Transposition of the Great Arteries. Transposition of the Great Arteries is a problem with the hallways coming out of the heart.
In a normal heart the Aortic hallway originates from the Left Ventricle and carries pink blood (with oxygen) from the Left Ventricle to the body. When this defect is present the Aortic hallway originates from Right Ventricle and therefore carries blue blood (no oxygen) to the body.
In a normal heart the Pulmonary hallway originates from the Right Ventricle and carries blue blood back to the heart to receive oxygen. When this defect is present the Pulmonary hallway originates from the Left Ventricle and carries blood full of oxygen back to the lungs. This is a waste of time and resources because that blood does not need to be getting more oxygen.
The number two is the VSD or Ventricular Septal Defect. This is a hole is the wall between the two ventricles, when the pink blood in the Left Ventricle crosses the VSD it mixes with the blue blood in the Right Ventricle. In Destiny's case, this is actually a blessing. Since the blood in the right ventricle has oxygen in it, it allows that hallway that's in the wrong place to actually still do its job and carry oxygenated blood to her lungs.
The number three is the PS or Pulmonary Valve Stenosis. Pulmonary Valve Stenosis is a narrowing of the door (Pulmonic Valve) leading from the large right front chamber (Right Ventricle) to the lungs. When this door is narrowed it does not let enough blood go to the lungs. This will make the Right Ventricle chamber very thick.
If you look at the Heart House you will notice that the Pulmonic Valve door is narrow. The Right Ventricle room is congested and overcrowded and the room is larger and pushing the walls into the other chambers.
Destiny will need several surgeries to correct these problems. Our family would greatly appreciate your prayers in this time. We serve the only Great Physician and He is in control. Please pray this His will be done and that He guide all those involved in the decision making for this sweet baby.
3 comments:
So. I'm way behind in reading your blog (bad me, for shame), but I'm caught up as of today. And I wanted to tell you how much I love you and how proud I am of the person you've become. And I'm praying for sweet Destiny. Love you!
My daughter has the same heart defect as your grand daughter, just wondering how she is doing and if she has had surgery yet? feel free to visit my blog for our story.
Michelle, Destiny was scheduled to have her surgery last year, but her mother came and got her from us and did not keep her medicaid up. Children's Medical is trying to get her to schedule the surgery but she has now moved back to Colorado. She is still doing well, though. No blue episodes, only bouts of pneumonia and exhaustion exacerbated by her mother's smoking. CPS is now involved.
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