Results of the appointment

Yesterday, we went to the cardiologists for the monthly-scan of Katies heart. The conclusions are as follows:
1)       On one hand, they’re pretty sure that she has an intact septum. In a healthy heart, this would be good, but for Katie it is extremely bad as it means that the normal (ie expected) route of oxygenated blood-from-the-lungs-back-to-the-body is blocked.
2)       On the other hand, Katies heart is so badly botched that they suspect that the blood-from-the-lungs-back-to-the-body is coming in through a completely different route.

Essentially, they’re groping around in the dark & still don’t know for sure, but, if they are correct & both features are present then:
a)       Katie will enjoy the luxury of time for the doctors to be able to do checks. This is a very good thing in that she will (probably) not have to be rushed immediately into surgery and we will be able to spend some time with her, which is a major relief to us both.
b)       On the other hand, the surgery is right up there with the most complex stuff that is possible; it makes the usual 3-stage Norwood-Glenn-Fontan heart modification procedure look positively easy and its prognosis is thus less rosy. 

Her survival rates remain on the lower than we would like (ie hovering slightly below the 40/60 mark), but the fact that she will probably have some form of life, no matter how short, gives us great comfort. 

The surgery is going to be incredibly challenging as her heart is, well, a complete mess. Half of it is working furiously to compensate for the missing bit, the veins and arteries are coming & going out of the wrong places and untangling this (for this is what is going to has to be done) is going to be a long, difficult and extremely risky operation that will rank up there along with... something. Something very difficult.

If you want to do something practical to help her then there are 2 things that you could do. 

Firstly, if you do not have a donor card, and this is because you’ve just not got round to it (as opposed to an ethical reason) then we ask you to get one. Obviously, if you do not agree with organ donation, then this is your choice and we completely understand and respect your decision. 

Secondly, if you could donate some blood at your next blood drive, that would be most appreciated as well. 

Many thanks for all your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for her and for us.

Thanks

S

Spoliers?

I note with interest that the Season Finale might include cameo appearances of former cast members.

Both whollyrandom and grampus have both (independently, I presume) been making noises about coming over...

...and the fans go wild with speculation...

S