So, the diagnostic phase of the cath is complete, and our favorite cardiologist, Dr. Buckvold, just came out and updated us on The Plan. The Plan is threefold and not very different than expected:
1. There is a pronounced narrowing in the descending aortic arch (which we knew about before), so the docs will do a balloon plasty in an attempt to enlarge it.
2. Sam has developed a collateral vein running from his pre-Glenn SVC to his heart. In layman's terms, an additional vein has formed which takes some blood that is supposed to be destined to go to the lungs and instead reroutes it to the heart. This is a problem because it adds unoxygenated, "blue," blood to the red blood being pumped to the body, thus diluting the oxygen levels in the body. (By the way, can you tell it's Jason writing yet?) To mitigate the problem, docs will place a coil into the ancillary vein, effectively plugging it and causing it to shrivel up.
3. Finally, at the Glenn site itself (where the SVC branches into the pulmonary arteries), further narrowing exists. Guess what? They'll balloon plasty that area as well.
All of which is to say...nothing particularly unexpected, but we will definitely be here at least overnight and possibly longer. Here's hoping the plasties go well and Sam gets discharged tomorrow...
And, as always, thank you for those of you who follow along. Thank you for either posting supportive comments or silently sending good wishes. Thank you.
I guess the fact that there is nothing outside of "the plan" is good news right? Let's hope those balloons to their jobs...
ReplyDeleteHoping all goes well. There is a lot to be thankful for this year. Take care of yourselves.
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