VSD

[Babydust13]

My boy is due to have major heart surgery before Christmas to fix a large VSD and I'm getting more and more anxious about looking after him by myself and missing something.

My partner works and we have an extra long list of things to look out for that we should contact the hospital about urgently if we notice them but I think the list is making me overly worried borderline paranoid and just anxious in general I don't want to miss anything

I'm getting equally as worried about looking after him while his recovering as there's another long list of do's and don't for 3 months after

Does anyone have any experience of the condition/procedure I'd be grateful to hear from you

Thanks

Me! My son had surgery for a large VSD at 6 weeks old. We had him home for a few weeks before the surgery (he was born very poorly and was in hospital for the first month). I was so paranoid. He was on restricted fluids, so once he threw up all his milk and we ended up calling the hospital as I just didn't know what to do. A&E saw him and he was fine, of course. It's what babies do.

Just keep an eye out for temperatures, breathing and go with your instincts. Try not to get too worried. Trust your instincts.

As for post-op, our son was home after a week. We had to be mindful of the way we picked him up due to his scar. His scar got infected, so he needed abx for that.

FWIW, the op fixed my son's heart. He's now 6 1/2 years old, and if it wasn't for the scar you wouldn't have known he was ever poorly. It's a routine procedure for the surgeon. Of course it's not for you, it's your wee boy. The days around his op were some of the hardest days in my life.

Make sure you have some support too, whether it's now or in the future.

Good luck with it, I'm sure your boy will be just fine. And you will get through it. Us heart-mamas are made of strong stuff.

@foxyfemke thank you for your lovely message I'm glad your son if doing so well 🥰

So the time has come my boy is 6 months old and having major heart surgery on Wednesday. I'm dreading it I'm anxious about staying away from home, I'm obviously worried about my little boy who doesn't seem big enough for what he's about to go through and I'm terrified of bringing home home and forgetting something or missing something during his recovery.

On the plus side I know it needs to be done and hopefully after the full 3 month recovery period we'll be able to carry on as normal

Op I have no experience of this but just want to wish you and your boy good luck for next Wednesday. Sending you a huge hug. xxx

@SusieSusieSoo thank you so much 😊

Good luck! Will think if you both on Wednesday.
I have no direct experience, but a friend's daughter was born with a hole in her heart and had surgery when she was tiny and now she's an amazing 2yo who is so healthy.

@FourForFore4 thank you

My baby boy has a large and and major heart surgery at 16 weeks old. He recovered within days, smiking again after 48 hrs, and was home in 10 days then started putting on weight, rosy cheeks, active and hat andm, above all, feeding and sleeping properly at last.

Thinking of you tonight and tomorrow. Happy to be back and hand hokd whenever you need it.

BTW - my boy was 12 last weekend hasn't had a single issue since the op. He's strong, healthy and wonderful!

I have no experienced @Babydust13 but good luck for tomorrow I will be thinking of you

Sorry typos!! My baby boy HAD a large VSD that wax supposed to say!

I hope it all goes well tomorrow, have you got some things to do to try and distract you whilst the surgery is happening?

You'll be fine at home, just trust your instincts and if in doubt contact the hospital. They'd much rather see you and confirm it is nothing than have you be cautious and not go in when needed

Thinking of you today @Babydust13

Thinking of you. my 4 year old has a medium VSD that hasn't been operated on yet but is beginning to cause problems on his aortic valve. I will be as nervous as you when he needs surgery.
Good luck today, i pray all will go well

Hope you can keep your mind busy today! Thinking of you both

@specialsauce @GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough @MadeinBelfast @trying29 @SkalengeckOrSiegbarste
Thank you so much he went down about half 8 currently waiting for a call to say he's out trying to do a sudoku to keep my mind busy

Hope you've had some news by now, I'm sure it feels like the longest wait ever

I hope this isnt too much info but be prepared for him not to look like your baby boy when you see him post op. My boy was swollen and looked like he'mmd gone through trauma. The ICU nurses were soooo kind and gentle with him though. Just kiss him lots and keep talking to him so he's soothed by your voice xxx

How did it all go? How are you both feeling?

@specialsauce @MadeinBelfast @SkalengeckOrSiegbarste he's doing ok he is looking a bit puffy and has mainly been sleeping but the doctors/nurses seem pleased with his progress so far

All the tubes and wires are coming out tomorrow 🤞🏼

Thank you for asking

Yey! he's got the worst behind him now and so have you! Get a good nights sleep @Babydust13 xx

Aaah glad to hear it OP! Wishing your beautiful DS a smooth recovery and keeping you both in my thoughts. Xx

@specialsauce how long was your stay in hospital I obviously don't want to rush home am happy to stay as long as he needs just hoping we might be home in time for Christmas

I'm glad it all went well. Speak to the staff but from my experience they try to get you out as quickly as possible!