Long time, no post.

We haven't had anything to update everyone about until today.

Before I get into the technicalities, let me just assure everyone that Adriana's heart function is looks great. Her oxygen saturation is at 98%, and she is having zero trouble keeping up with her older sisters. By looking at her, no one would ever guess she was born with multiple heart defects.

And now, for a more in-depth look at what's ahead for Addy:

Addy was not very cooperative during the echocardiogram today. This is not a new thing, but she is now older, stronger, and able to wiggle away from the doctor or a sonographer performing it. Though today the sonographer and her cardiologist got some good footage of her heart function, her cardiologist would prefer to have a better look into her pulmonary branches, since that is really the only area she foresees any future issues with. During her open heart surgery, Addy's surgeon did some patch work in her pulmonary artery, opening it up a little more than it had previously been, to ensure adequate blood flow to her lungs. It is possible some of that tissue obstruction (stenosis) could come back. However, since there is no leaking in her tricuspid valve (and the fact that her oxygen saturation % looks great), that indicates that she does not have a lot of built up pressure in her pulmonary branches. Of course, Dr. Baker-Smith always likes to cross her T's and dot her I's, so she is scheduling another echocardiogram for Adriana. This time, she will be sedated--that way, they can take their time and take a good hard look. We do not have the appointment date yet, but it will probably be in a month or so.



If Addy's pulmonary stenosis becomes an issue again, in most cases, they can open those areas back up with a cardiac catheterization (heart cath). That means a doctor will insert a long, thin, flexible tube with a balloon on the end, called a catheter into a blood vessel in her groin (upper thigh), and thread to her heart. They will then balloon the area to open it up more. Or, they may have to insert stints. There is a very small chance that they would have to do another open heart surgery.


Hoping and praying for the best. Adriana has surprised us all so far, and I am optimistic she will keep doing so.


We did a photo shoot with her Heart Hero cape last night. Enjoy ;)