BUD'S HEART PAGE

Hi, I am David. My family calls me Bud. I surprised my mom and dad by arriving a month early. I weighed in at 6 LB 12 oz and all was well. Mom and I did well during our first night. The next morning my pediatrician came to circumcise me and detected a strong heart murmur. He instructed my mom to take me to the children's hospital for further diagnosis. This was a big shock to the family, especially since my grandpa had just had a heart attack and major heart surgery two weeks earlier. I was transported by ambulance to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. That is when we found out about my defect. I spent two days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and went home with my family on May 5, 1999. The defect I have is calledTetrology of Fallot. It consists of multiple defects, which can cause me to turn blue, due to poor oxygen saturation in my blood. I had my complete repair, open heart surgery, September 1999. You can read a detailed journal of my days prior and during surgery in my Journal.

May 19, 1999: This was my first visit with the Cardiologist. I had to have a chest x-ray, an electrocardiogram, and an EKG. They also checked my oxygen saturation levels, which is refered to as SATS. My SATS were at 100%. That made it hard for Mom and Dad to believe there was something wrong with my heart. Mom and Dad got to finally see what was wrong with my heart by watching the electrocardiogram. The results of the tests showed I would require a BT Shunt to be installed in about 6 weeks and one 'final repair' surgery once I am big enough. Since I have not had any blue spells, the doctor told my parents that this was my dance and they are waiting for me to lead.

August 9, 1999: Today I went in for my cardiac catheterization. It was a long day. We checked in at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital at 11:30 a.m. Mom and Dad met with the Cardiologist and the Anesthesiologist to go over what would be done. We gave our goodbye kisses shortly after 1:00 p.m. Mom and Dad had to wait several hours. They got to see me at 4:10 p.m. It was hard for them to see me, because I was drugged pretty heavily. The outcome was good. My cardiologist said she would present the findings to the surgeons. She feels that I may be able to just have the 'primary repair' rather than a shunt. We finally left the hospital after 10:00 p.m.

August 11, 1999: My cardiologist called today and let mom and dad know that all the doctors agree...I am big enough to go ahead and have my primary repair surgery done. I am scheduled to have surgery on September 16, 1999. Mom and my sister both caught a cold, so mom had to reschedule my surgery at the last minute. They do not want to take any chances of me being sick. I am now scheduled for surgery on September 28, 1999.

September 28, 1999: This was an extremely long day for me and the family. We had to be at the hospital at 5:30am. My surgery was scheduled for 8:00am. The doctors and nurses were good at keeping my family informed on what was happening and when. The surgery was completed about 1:00pm. My surgeon, Dr Dale Hall and his wife Susan came out and informed my mom and dad that the surgery was complete. Susan Russell Hall had drawn pictures of my heart during the surgery and gave copies to my family. They are very cool pictures. Check them out here. I had my obstructive muscle bundles removed and my pulmonary valve was opened to 10mm from 6mm. A dacron patch was used to patch the hole in my lower chambers and the hole in my upper chambers was stitched closed. It is amazing how much they can do on something that is so small. All of the nurses gave mom and dad very good descriptions of what to expect after surgery. I am very puffy. Mom said I looked like a boxer, especially because I have an allergic reaction to certain tapes that they use and my right eye had red marks around it. I have three chest tubes and more tubes and hoses coming out of me than you can count on two hands. It was hard for mom and dad to see me like this...but they know that my heart is better...and that is what matters the most.

Day of Surgery

October 10,1999: I am finally home! I ended up spending 9 days in PICU and three days out. I had a lot of drainage and had to keep my chest tubes in longer than expected. My last tube was removed on October 7th and I was moved out of PICU later that day. At 10:00 PM I decided I would not eat from the nurses, so mom had to come to the hospital to feed me. Mom spent the last three days and nights at the hospital with me. I am glad to be at home...no more nurses poking at me! I do have to go in for my post-op follow up later this week.

My follow up visit went well. My chest is healing nicely and I can quit taking my medications. I get to visit again in one month.

9 weeks after surgery

November 29,1999: Wow! I am doing great. My cardiologist is very pleased with the outcome of my surgery. She says that I should not be limited in anything and can even participate in any sports, if I so choose. I do not have to go in for another check up until Novermber 2000! That is a welcome change from the every 2-3 weeks I have been used to.