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Personal Update on Our Son’s Heart Surgery

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July 7, 2015 Ashlea 13 Comments

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ctscan

Back in April I shared with you some personal and expected, yet terrifying news. Paul and I have two sons, ages 6 and 8, and our oldest has a rare congenital heart defect called Truncus Arteriosus, Type II that will require repairs to his heart as he grows and throughout his life – barring medical advancement.  To date, he has had two open heart surgeries, one heart catheterization and three exploratory chest surgeries.  We visit his cardiologist here in Wichita, but all of his major interventions must be performed in Kansas City at The Children’s Mercy Hospital. They are fantastic!

I have always been careful with what I share with you on Deal Detecting Diva, trying not to get too personal, while maintaining the “realness” that {I hope!} you love about DDD. I feel that we are friends, if only cyber friends, and I want to give you an update on his condition.

He is scheduled for his open heart surgery in the middle of August.  We will check in to the Ronald McDonald House, have pre-op the next day, then surgery the following day.  Hopefully (if all goes well) we will be on our way home within a week – or less.

fixed heart

As an infant they went into his heart and placed a patch over the large ventricular septal defect (VSD) he had between his ventricles, and placed a conduit to direct the blood flow from his right ventricle to his pulmonary artery.  The conduit is what needs to be replaced with a larger, hopefully adult size, conduit.

I want to let you know – those of you that read DDD on a daily basis specifically – that I may or may not post a lot in the middle of August.  Knowing me and the way I deal with stress, I will take my laptop and post away while he is in surgery, recovery or sleeping in ICU.  My method of dealing with stressful, intense situations is to plug right along, maintaining the schedule and flow.  Paul will not deal the same way I will, and every parent placed in this situation would react differently.  We will not know how this will affect us until faced with the situation directly.

I will have a couple of {awesome} couponer friends on standby to help us with the coupons and deals that week.  Of course, my number one priority is our son and being present for him as he recovers and regains his strength.  I will keep you abreast of all changes and hopefully I’ll snag a happy photo of him for you in recovery.  ♥

Again, thank you for your patience, your support and your prayers.  Knowing this day was coming and having it stare you in the face are two completely different things.

I appreciate you!

Note: I have no photo credit for the Truncus Arteriosus heart diagram above.  It was shared with me on a support group on Facebook. This is the most definitive and easiest to understand diagram I have seen to date.  I hope it helps!

Heart, Our CHD Journey personal, update

Comments

  1. Lisa Gregory says

    August 5, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    I will pray for you and your family. I know God can do mighty things. Your son is no doubt a very strong boy and will do great. My heart cries for you.
    Reply
  2. rhonda says

    August 5, 2015 at 8:04 pm

    We rubbed that
    Reply
  3. sharrla says

    July 8, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    Thank you for sharing this with us, Im sure it is hard to let complete strangers know about your personal life, I do enjoy your page and you letting us in on his progress, your family will be in my prayers as you all go threw this difficult time.
    Reply
    • Ashlea - The Diva says

      July 8, 2015 at 6:48 pm

      Thank you Sharrla! That means a lot.
      Reply
  4. Julie says

    July 8, 2015 at 7:53 am

    Praying for peace and strength as you wait. Praying the surgery is a huge success and that God gives the doctors wisdom.
    Reply
    • Marsha says

      July 8, 2015 at 8:22 am

      Amen!
      Reply
    • Ashlea - The Diva says

      July 8, 2015 at 9:29 am

      Thank you! I will keep you updated.
      Reply
  5. Janet Postier says

    July 7, 2015 at 10:44 pm

    Will be praying for you during this stressful time. Also praying for a speedy recovery!
    Reply
    • Ashlea - The Diva says

      July 8, 2015 at 9:29 am

      Thank you! We appreciate it
      Reply
  6. Cinthia M says

    July 7, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    He is a stong little man! God will take good care of him. I will keep him in my prayers! God bless u and ur loved ones.
    Reply
  7. Audra says

    July 7, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    My heart goes out to you! I know the stress and anxiety this can bring. My daughter had an atrial septal defect and mitral valve regurgitation. She had open heart surgery at four years old. You deal with it how you need to! We'll be praying for you!
    Reply
  8. Brianna says

    July 7, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    I will be thinking about your son & whole family and send some positive vibes your way. I hope he has a speedy recovery! ♡
    Reply
    • Ashlea - The Diva says

      July 7, 2015 at 9:54 pm

      Thank you!
      Reply

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Hi! I’m Ashlea, the Kansas mom, and wife, that runs this crochet, food, and heart (CHD) blog.  I am a frugal, yarn loving crochet addict that enjoys good food and fine wine – or an occasional whiskey. 😉 Read more about me here and see my favorite Amazon products here.

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