Cath update

Addie had her heart cath on Tuesday. We went in at 7 am and her procedure finally started at 2. It was relatively quick (we got news around 4), and everything looked great. All her pressures, shunt and aortic arch looked great. They did have to coil her internal mammary artery because it was competing with her shunt. Collaterals (these already existing arteries that can grow very large) are fairly common in shunted babies because your body tries to compensate and make another route for blood to flow. After her procedure, while she was in recovery, Dr Nugent, who performed the cath came to check on her. Her pulse in her right foot was not there, but he didn't seem concerned saying it was fairly common. They would start her on heparin (a blood thinner), and her pulse would most likely be back in the morning. No pulse is caused by a blood clot or spasm in the artery. Addie's blood clot was caused by a sheath inserted in her leg to coil the mammary artery. Yesterday morning, her pulse still had not returned and they decided she needed to be transferred to the Cardiac ICU to be given a drug called TPA, which has some pretty serious possible side effects, to bust the clot. We were transferred to the ICU and one of the nurses there was checking for Addie's pulse and it had returned. It was a therapeutic transfer....maybe a miracle! A pulse not returning is extremely rare, as the doctors had to look up the protocol on using TPA because they rarely use this drug. We had to spend another night at Children's on the regular cardiac floor while Addie stayed on heparin to prevent any further clotting. Her femoral artery is most likely stenosed (narrowed) and the  long term effects are minimal.  They did mention that worse case scenario would be a leg length difference but probably not since she does have blood flow there now. We pray not. 

We got home today around noon and are pretty exhausted. What a whirlwind. Scott and I both thought this was going to be a quick trip to Children's, maybe a night in the hospital, and we would be home. They call this a "bump in the road." This journey is exhausting and is always full of surprises.  Thank you to our friends and family who are a constant source of encouragement. Without you, this journey would be so much more difficult. Thank you to my sister, Lindsey, who kept our other precious daughter. I know she had a blast playing with her cousins and slumber partying. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6