Natalie had her pre-catheterization visit this morning. She weighs 12lbs 1oz! She also had an EKG and an XRay all to get ready for her heart cath tomorrow.
Natalie will be asleep during the procedure. The cardiologist, Dr. Zellers and his team will inject some numbing medication into the area where the catheter will be inserted, probably her groin area. After the area is numb, small plastic tubes (sheaths), which are about the size of a piece of spaghetti, are inserted into the large blood vessels. Through these sheaths, long plastic tubes (catheters) are guided into the heart.
Once the catheters are in place, small amounts of blood are taken through the catheters from the various chambers and blood vessels in the heart to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood. The blood pressure in the heart is also measured at the same time. Next, a special dye (contrast) is injected through the catheters, into the chambers and blood vessels of the heart. The dye shows up as bright white shadow on the x-ray film, and allows the doctor to see the shape of the structures and the flow of the blood through the heart and lungs.
All of this will help the surgeon determine the best road map of her heart for the Glenn Shunt. We should have a date for the next surgery tomorrow.
Please pray for everything to go smoothly tomorrow and for the doctors to get all the information they need for the Glenn Shunt.
You guys are always in our heart and prayers. We will especially be praying for a smooth proceedure tomorrow. May God guide all the hands and minds of the people involved. Let them be sharp and at the top of their game. May an angel hold Natalie's hand and sing her sweet lullaby's while she is asleep. We love you guys.
ReplyDelete