Where to begin?
Well, almost 2 years ago, our doctor heard a slight murmur when she listened to Mr Bump’s chest and sent him for an echocardiogram.
It turned out that he had two holes in his heart, which in all likelihood would close over by themselves.
Not a problem. We forgot all about it.
Fast-forward to yesterday, when Mr Bump had another echocardiogram to confirm that the holes had indeed closed.
Slight problem. Hmmm.
The larger of the two has actually grown in that time (to roughly keep pace with the size of his heart), from 8mm to 12mm in diameter.
The good news is that there are no serious health issues for Mr Bump at the moment, although it may explain why he still has had such frequent attacks of croup.
The bad news is that because of the size of the hole, his paediatric cardiologist believes that a patch will not be enough, and Mr Bump will need surgery.
This year, so that it doesn’t interfere with kindergarten next year.
We have an appointment with the surgeon on the 23rd of September, when we’ll find out exactly what that will involve.
The actual problem is called Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), which is actually more common in girls, but I guess we got lucky.
Another way we got lucky is that ASD can usually be treated with a minor procedure not involving surgery.
Not this little chicken. We’re getting the whole kit and caboodle.
Because from what I’ve read, “surgery” in this case means open-heart surgery, with a heart-lung bypass machine. Scary stuff.
The really fun part is that we’ll be going through this while doing all the stuff involved in finding, buying and moving into our new home. I can’t wait.
At least it won’t be the first time that Mr Bump’s had surgery. He had a medical circumcision in July last year, so he has a vague idea of what it will be like.
I have my fingers crossed that the surgeon will take one look at the test results and say “No surgery for you, m’ boy. We’ll be able to patch that little hole up in a jiffy.”
First, moving, now this. I just hope these things don’t come in threes.
Hi, Jane, I’m glad I happened to stop by. I just wanted to send you boatloads of hope and encouragement. My stepdaughter was born with a similar problem (only hers was a ventricular septal defect) and, at that time, they didn’t do that kind of surgery on infants as the heart was considered too small. Through miracles, prayer and hard work on the part of my husband and his first wife, they got her to 2 years old at which point she HAD to have the surgery. That was in 1975, when the surgeries were a lot less, I can’t think of the right word but “perfected” will do, than they are now.
It made a world of difference. Where before she had been unable to do a lot of stuff and her growth was stunted by some of the meds they used to keep her alive, almost immediately after the surgery she became a force to be reckoned with! She is 35 years old now, the mom of 2 kids, and has had a healthy, busy, NORMAL life.
I’ll keep you and yours in my prayers! In the meantime, and I’m sure you’re already doing this, read up on the procedure as much as you can and give Mr. Bump as much information at his ability to understand as you think he can handle. The unknown scares us all!
oh wow that sounds like some scary stuff!
One of our girls had a hole in her heart when she was born, it’s pretty common in micro premies like she was, but thankfully it closed on it’s own while she was still in NICU and we avoided surgery - mind you she is the accident prone one so I’ve already seen her go under anaesthetic twice and it is not fun at all.
All my fingers and toes crossed that this can be fixed super easily and that you can spend all your worry on houses not your gorgeous Mr Bump!
So sorry to hear that, one of my sons had the same issue when he was born (preemie) but it resolved on its own. I will keep him and your family in my prayers!
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Well I have no idea what this might be like for you so I won’t even begin to pretend. I only wish you good energy and a speedy recovery.
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Your family is in my thoughts and prayers
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so sorry to hear bout it and i can imagine how stressed u might be. Just keep calm and thank god that its atleast curable!!
be positive!
wish you happier times ahead!
an avid reader
-keyomi
I hope it turns out ok…I’ll keep your family in my prayers. Can’t have Mr. Bump feeling bad…
Lots of hugs, kisses, prayers, and happy thoughts flying across the ocean to you. All of the hard stuff seems to come in big old chucks, doesn’t it? Hopefully that means a nice long break after its all through.
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Hi:
My grandaughter had the surgical repair 7 days ago at Childrens Memorial in Chicago. She is recovering so well, and basically (how do I put this?), she did much better than mom, dad, and the rest of us grownups. She was in for 4 days. 3 days in PICU. She was amazing! We had considered the catheter approach, which the dr. was willing to do. BUT, we decided that we wanted to know for sure that it was closed, so elected to do the surgical approach. Well, it turned out that there was not one hole, but 3 (and the catheter approach would not have work, would have discovered this during this procedure, requiring another separate hospitalization to do the surgical approach after all) SO! We were very grateful that we initially went the “tried and true” method. Please, take this one day at a time so that you are spared the fear and stress. Trust me, you will find that this is very easily corrected with the skills of our current physicians. I am also a nurse! So, my prayers will be with you. One minor but important bit of advice. Be honest with your child. Dont say “this wont hurt” when perhaps it might. You child needs to trust what you say. Otherwise, when you get home when you go to, say, take off a bandaid and tell your child this wont hurt they wont believe you.
My daughter was born with complex congenital heart disease. She was born with 2 holes, a leaky valve and aortic stenosis. She has undergone 2 open heart surgeries and continues to have pretty major health issues.
What I can say is that open heart surgery now is so advanced. Eva was so taken care of and the quality of care she received from her surgeon, cardiologist, doctors and nurses was second to none.
We are members of HeartKids and it might be good for you to give them a call if you need info or support?
All my thoughts, good wishes and virtual hugs are with you and Mr Bump.
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Oh Jane, you must be so worried. I’m sorry that his heart hasn’t healed in a way that makes surgery not necessary. I know that your child going through surgery is never something you want, I’ve been there and watched them wheel my child away. It sounds like you’re getting some excellent feedback from your other readers, some with experience with heart surgery. I’ll just be in the background, praying for answers and safety.
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You do have a lot on your plate at the moment. I hope that Mr Bump’s surgery is successful and fuss free.
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Wonderhubby here… thank you all so much for your well-wishing and good cheer. it means a lot to us all, especially Jane.
I am proud of my Janey who has researched this and provided me with a lot of detail in a small package.
The third big thing is my work responsibilities are FULL ON as we will be moving work before year end, plus a new computer system - Wonderhubby will be very busy, so yep, a full on time for Janey too.
Our attitude (right now) is Que Sera Sera (spell check please?). Anyway, shortly we hope to report the good news in another post…
Suggested titles (please vote):
“Mr Bump Heart’s-a-Pump’n!”
“Mr Bump’s ‘No More Bleeding Heart’”
“Mr Bump’s Pump Hump Dumped!”
Jane, I’m so sorry that it didn’t close the way it ’should’ have. I really do hope that they can patch it and he doesn’t have to go through surgery but if he does, you know that we are all here for you and will be praying that he recovers quickly.
Wonderhubby: “Mr Bump Heart’s-a-pump’n?”
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Jane
I am only just catching up with the news.
I will keep Mr Bump in my thoughts and prayers as you await the appointment and I hope the patch is the answer.
take care
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Hugs,
You must really be feeling alot of stress right now. I hope everything goes well for Mr bump.
It is such a big thing for a parent to watch thier child go through surgery. Heart surgery is a big one.
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[...] we now have a date for Mr Bump’s open heart surgery for ASD; the 2nd December at Westmead Children’s Hospital. He’ll be in for a week, and need to [...]