Grandson has to have open heart surgery! Please help with advice
I am so sad and upset to say the least. My daughter took her son in the other night to ER for what we thought was just gas. Turns out a day later after seeing a heart specialist that he has to have open heart surgery next month. He was born a preemie, and apparently has had this since he was born, and it was never caught. It is called Atrioventricular Canal Defect. I have been reading up on it on the internet, but would appreciate hearing from others who have had children that have gone through this. We are very scared and worried right now. He is 12 years old, and is the best kid around, very affectionate, upbeat and just overall wonderful. Please help.
Re: Grandson has to have open heart surgery! Please help with advice
Hi there. My daughter had the same heart defect that was repared when she was seven weeks old. To be honest I was really suprised to read that your grandson is 12 years old and this was never an issue for him before now! Most kids with this have surgery when they are babies.That being said open heart surgery is scary but things are so much different than they were even a few years ago. I know your grandson was is older but when my daughter had her surgery she was only in the hospital five days. Her surgery lasted about six hours and then she went to the cardiac intensive care unit. She was pretty well sedated for the first day or so. After two days in CICU she was moved to a step down room on the cardiac floor.She was released to go home on day five.Today she is eight years old and has no lasting effects. She has to take antibiotics before having dental procedures but you would never know she had heart surgery. I have several friends who have kids that have had multiple heart surgeries too.You would be amazed what they can do now. I know this is a general reply and I would be more than happy to help you with any specific questions. Where are they doing the surgery? I know you are probably overwhelmed and scared right now but I swear it will be ok. It is so much better for him to have the surgery than have issues later. You will probably be suprised how quickly he will recover.Anything specific you are wondering about?
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Re: Grandson has to have open heart surgery! Please help with advice
Hi, I would like to know if you know of anyone that has children that have had the surgery at the age of 7 or older. My daughter is worried that because he is 12, it might be more risky. Thanks for any information you can give us!
Re: Grandson has to have open heart surgery! Please help with advice
I have a good friend who's daughter has had heart surgery three times. One at age 6 months, age four and then again last year at age eight. The last surgery she had her mitrovalve replaced. I honestly think there would be no more risk on a 12 year old(in fact I would think it would be riskier on a baby-my daughter's heart was the size of a walnut when she had surgery)The only thing that would be different is that your grandson has an more awareness of what is happening to him. I am hoping someone with an older child will reply too!
Re: Grandson has to have open heart surgery! Please help with advice
I really don't have any experiences with this, or know anyone who does, but I read your post and wanted to wish you luck with your grandson's surgery. It must be a hard time for all of you, and I just wanted to let you know that even though I don't know you personally, I am thinking of you. I have 2 kids, and would also be very scared if they had to have surgery. So just try and be positive and rely on your family and you will all get through this.
