[tri-med] Update on Caroline's cardio appt.

Caroline had her check-up last week and, thank GOD, all is pretty much the
same and we are to come back in 6 months.  She has subaortic stenosis, her
condition is at the severe stage, but there hasn't been really any
significant changes in over a year.  We are at the point where surgery is
recommended, but the dr said that her heart is functioning very well in
spite of this condition and he cautiously guesses she would be OK to
continue to hold off from surgery for a while.  If she was a "normal" child,
without any other issues, he would strongly urge surgery.  He is concerned
that, due to some of her recent issues (bleeding ulcer), putting her through
such a surgery could be very tough, especially if the stress would aggravate
the ulcer.  In fact, he thinks the surgeon may even refuse surgery due to
that issue.
I know in my last email, I was very down and not sure about doing the
surgery at all.  However, I don't believe I could deny her this surgery,
unless she is suffering from so many other issues at the time, that the
denial is the most obvious option.  Caroline seems to have had a lot of set
backs in the last months, and I was very down when I wrote the last email.
I was so overwhelmed with the thought that we may be facing heart surgery in
the very near future after every other issue we have recently been dealing
with (bleeding ulcer, repeat severe ear infections, seizures, many illnesses
etc...)

Thanks for your comments and support!!!

-- 
Irene
Christina (4), Caroline (3 with partial trisomy 17p) and Kallie (1)
Caroline's site:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolinesmith


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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