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old pea new name
PeaAddict
PeaNut 341,472
October 2007
Posts: 1,918
Layouts: 0
 |  Posted: 1/30/2013 5:25:16 PM
I remember you said he has CoA. Any news? Thinking good thoughts for him. | |
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heartcat
International Association of Epic Length Posters
PeaNut 51,429
October 2002
Posts: 39,647
Layouts: 237
Loc: Where dreams come true
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 6:24:18 PM
Thank you for asking.
He was at the children's hospital two weeks ago for another echocardiogram, EKG and chest x-ray. We also had a length consultation with the pediatric cardiologist. He showed us the echo, where the bicuspid valve is, and where the coarctation is and explained things in greater detail.
He put him on meds for his blood pressure. He measured BP in his upper and lower body. Usually BP is lower in the lower body, but his was still high. He said that that might have something to do with the kidneys and the production of renin. Though I wasn't clear what that all meant.
He wants to take a look at his head, in case the high BP has caused any small bleeds. He said that they are going to go with a balloon angioplasty and stent, which is good, since that is far less invasive and has an almost perfect success rate. That will be done at Sick Kid's in Toronto, which is the premiere children's hospital in Canada and one of the best in the world. Sick Kid's will also be scheduling an MRI to get a better view of the heart prior to the procedure.
He said since things weren't immediately urgent, they want to work on getting his blood pressure down first, so the prodecure will not be for 3-6 months.
We have an appointment back at the first hospital later in February to get an ultrasound of the kidneys and then to see the nepherologist/kidney specialist.
Brady needs to avoid stenuous exercise or sports (he has never been a sporty guy so that's not an issue or sacrifice for him) but needs to get moderate exercise to help with the high BP. Additionally, he needs to watch his sodium and caffeine intakes, as anyone dealing with BP issues would.
We are monitoring his blood pressure twice daily and will call that information in to the hospital soon. From there, they will decide how or whether to adjust his medication.
Brady's spirits are still very good. He is not nervous at all. I thought that I might be more nervous once we saw the specialist, but he was very positive and optimistic.
They did say that the bicuspid valve issue has a strong hereditary component and that dh, dd and myself should get echocardiograms done.
So, things are progressing well. We have had the one appointment and will have another in a few weeks. They are being very thorough with testing, and he will have the procedure at a wonderful hospital.
Once he has the stent, the prognosis for future health is excellent. The stent will have to be replaced every now and then throughout the years.
Thank you very much again for thinking of him and asking. |
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Continuing to learn about dSLR photography!
Canon 50D with BG-E2N grip; Jupiter-37A 135mm 3.5; Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm 3.5; Jupiter-11A 135mm 4; Pentacon 135mm 2.8; Nikkor-P 105mm 2.5; RMC Tokina 80-200mm 4.5; Helios 44-2 58mm 2; Super Takumar 55mm 1.8; Vivitar 35mm 2.8; RMC Tokina 28mm 2.8; RMC Tokina 35-70mm 3.5; Panagor 90mm 2.8 macro; and a couple of modern AF Canon lenses that rarely see the light of day.
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anmolhai
AncestralPea
PeaNut 40,642
June 2002
Posts: 4,368
Layouts: 71
Loc: Canada
| Posted: 1/30/2013 6:47:50 PM
Thinking good thoughts for him & you .
take care |
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janet r
AncestralPea
PeaNut 22,327
October 2001
Posts: 4,073
Layouts: 17
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 6:58:09 PM
Sending good thoughts. | |
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cbjenks
PeaFixture
PeaNut 11,897
March 2001
Posts: 3,044
Layouts: 28
Loc: Pensacola, FL
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 6:58:10 PM
I have wondered how he is doing. Prayers and positive thoughts sent your way. My son had his CoA repaired at six weeks. He is now eight, but I still remember the helpless feeling when I found out about his heart defect. |
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Newbie2
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 178,513
November 2004
Posts: 2,181
Layouts: 0
Loc: New England
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 7:01:45 PM
Sending good thoughts and prayers that all goes wonderfully! | |
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Spongemom Scrappants
HRH pilates teaching wino ball of fun
PeaNut 297,141
February 2007
Posts: 10,612
Layouts: 31
Loc: South Carolina
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 7:10:58 PM
Sounds like he is getting first-class care. And being a real trouper about the whole thing. So glad to hear that it all seems to be under control. |
Angie
Where the boys are... my new husband, my four sons and my boy cat.
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flanz
AncestralPea
PeaNut 211,902
June 2005
Posts: 4,622
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 1/30/2013 8:35:01 PM
Wishing your son and your entire family all the best! Sounds like you are in very good hands, what a relief that must be. | |
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SueSume
AncestralPea
PeaNut 262,757
May 2006
Posts: 4,592
Layouts: 5
Loc: Big Bottom Valley
| Posted: 1/30/2013 10:31:42 PM
All the best to your family. |
Sue Who? SueASume, SueSume, who cares?
Reality is made up of words.-Ferdinando Buscema
Words are hard.-Hannah Kelly
NSBR: "We're like a big damn disfunctional family. We'll beat the crap out of each other, and it's ok, but dammit, if an outsider turns on one of ours, we circle the wagons." -Free~Bird
Used with permission & with 9% royality fee paid annually. Starting next year. Honest | |
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StampinBetsy
AncestralPea
PeaNut 197,496
March 2005
Posts: 4,048
Layouts: 8
Loc: North Texas
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 11:06:49 PM
Sick Kids is an awesome place, from everything I've heard. You'll be in good hands there. 
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Betsy
  <--- Graduated from Texas Tech 12/18/2009!!
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theshyone
I'm Alive!
PeaNut 266,636
June 2006
Posts: 10,127
Layouts: 37
Loc: Alberta
| Posted: 1/30/2013 11:56:42 PM
So glad it's been caught proactively. Good luck |
Canon XTI
EFS 18-55 mm
EF 50 mm 1.8
EF 75-300 mm 1:4-5.6
My Blog
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. Jack Layton
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gar
Whoopea!
PeaNut 172,235
October 2004
Posts: 12,443
Layouts: 0
Loc: England UK
| Posted: 1/31/2013 1:40:01 AM
Glad to hear you sounding so positive Heartcat. Sending you and your son my very best wishes.
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"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
Stephen Roberts
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kjapeach
PeaAddict
PeaNut 188,761
January 2005
Posts: 1,979
Layouts: 92
Loc: southern CA
| Posted: 1/31/2013 3:03:17 AM
Thank you for the update. I have been thinking of you all. |
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heartcat
International Association of Epic Length Posters
PeaNut 51,429
October 2002
Posts: 39,647
Layouts: 237
Loc: Where dreams come true
| Posted: 1/31/2013 4:15:41 AM
Thank you all so much for your caring and good thoughts. We all appreciate it very much! |
***********
Continuing to learn about dSLR photography!
Canon 50D with BG-E2N grip; Jupiter-37A 135mm 3.5; Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm 3.5; Jupiter-11A 135mm 4; Pentacon 135mm 2.8; Nikkor-P 105mm 2.5; RMC Tokina 80-200mm 4.5; Helios 44-2 58mm 2; Super Takumar 55mm 1.8; Vivitar 35mm 2.8; RMC Tokina 28mm 2.8; RMC Tokina 35-70mm 3.5; Panagor 90mm 2.8 macro; and a couple of modern AF Canon lenses that rarely see the light of day.
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