My 5 year old daughter gets heart surgery next week

[jasper]

My little girl was born with 2 holes in her heart between her atria.
They won't resolve with age and yesterday we received a letter to say the corrective surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday.

It is done under general anaesthetic and she will be in hospital for three days if it all goes to plan.
A catheter is inserted through a leg vein with a little device which will close off the holes. If it is not a success she will have open heart surgery later this year.
Have any of you had experience of this procedure?
Thanks.

I was also going to ask where your dd was having it done? My ds was operated on at Birmingham children's and 2 adults were allowed into the anaesthetic room.

I do agree that leaving your baby on an operating table is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, so highly recommend that someone goes with you for support and to help while away the time

I had no idea your dd has a heart problem, Jasper. No advice but I'm wishing you all the best for Wednesday.

jasper, my dd was 7 weeks old, her recovery wasn't great but that was because all the rummaging about inside her tiny chest had damaged various nerves and lymph tissue etc., all the problems she had afterwards were connected to it being open heart.
Her heart itself recovered really well and is now, 4 years on, as good as that of a child born without CHD. The rest of her is v. well, too.

My dad had some cardiac stuff done via catheterization - it was v. straightforward and the only problem was a some bleeding from the entry site as he was taking blood thinners.

Thank you all for your good wishes and practical advice.
She is having it done at Yorkhill children's hospital in Glasgow. I have great faith in the team there.

She seems ok about it. My little boy who is three keeps asking why can't he go into hospital ! I think he thinks it is like a visit to a theme park.

Yorkhill is where my dd had her surgery three years ago They are really great. Who is your dd's surgeon?

We stayed in the Ronald macDonald House as we live very far from the hospital. I think if your child is in ITU you get a room if you want it, even if you don't live too far away.

oh good luck jasper.

Wallace his name is Trevor Richens

Jasper just wanted to wish you and your family all the best. Im sure it will go smoothly.

LOl at your ds "missing out"!

Jasper, I had a catheterisation done twice when I was 29 . It was done through the groin and then I had an extra nerve circuit burned away using radio waves (all under local anaesthetic). I realise it's a different operation, but wanted to re-assure you! I was up and about within about 12 hours, feeling a little uncomfortable, but back at work a week later.

I hope everything goes well for your dd.

Jasper, just the other day I was saying I hadn't seen you for ages - sorry it's this that I'm seeing you on now, no advice but lots of luck to her and you, fingers crossed that this procedure fixes her heart and that she won't need the open heart.

Jasper, I do hope that this resolves your litle girls problems. I know nothing at all about heart surgery, but have plenty of experience of the trolley moment, and will be feeling for you.
has she had surgery before? How is she feeling about it? Amongst the many parents I spoke to in hospital, it was always the parents who felt it most.

not had experience with that procedure but my dd1 was born with a complete AVSD - holes between atria and her ventricles. She ended up having two open heart surgeries at 8 weeks old.

There were plenty of children who came through the hospital and they seem to cope very well with the surgery. I was amazed at how quickly they seemed to bounce back.

Like others have said the hardest time is taking them down to the anaesthetic area and then walking away.

TO look at her now - if you did not see the scar you would never know - she is a happy healthy cheeky 3yo. In fact docs both in the UK and here in Aus have said how good the repair was and how her heart was just like a 'regular' heart.

Hoping all goes well for you on Wednesday.

jaspar thinking of you
xxx
hope everything goes smoothly 2moro

No experience either fellow Mn oldster but wishing you all the best for this tomorrow.

Thinking of you both Jasper.

Jasper, just found your message. My son had heart surgery when he was one (coarctation repair)- mind you you wouldn't know it now to see him running around. The hardest part was holding him down whilst they gassed him as they couldn't find a vein to anesthetise him. I will never forget that moment. Just remember the people that work with children are so amazing and I'm sure they will look after your little one. My thoughts are with you.

Sounds vaguely familiar, dd's surgeon was Mr MacArthur.

Good luck again - is it tomorrow or next Wednesday?

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Home safely.
All went well.
Post more later.
I am on a high!

wonderful news

That's just great

Good, good, good

Just seen this - excellent news and glad it's over now for you all.

Wonderful

Tell us all when you can

Brill news Jasper - and wow so quick . Look forward to your update.