Cardiologist Appointment Update

I do have birthday pictures to post, but first I will update the cardiology appointment we had this morning. I was a little nervous because usually my mother comes with me but she and my father are in Sicily eating their way across the country :). I was thinking, it would be my luck to have bad news come today when I am here alone. Thankfully, I knew I had a multitude of friends via cell phone check in on me so I was not really alone.

We were having a sedated echo for Brady's supravalvular aortic stenosis and pulmonary stenosis (he also has two small VSDs that are so tiny we don't even talk about anymore). This was his fifth echo since he was born. He had a sedated one in April which showed moderate to high gradients. His cardiologist requested his June echo not be sedated because he figured his levels would be worse and we would probably at that time schedule a cath within two weeks of his June echo. Well, you may recall from earlier posts his levels actually did not change at that echo ("I am happy to say Brady proved me wrong," his cardiologist said.) and no cath was needed.

So this was the echo following the June echo. The sedation went well. In fact, the whole appt went well. For some strange reason, his gradient on one side was measuring 40 and was now measuring at 25-35. This is very strange - they don't normally go down, get better, on their own. I questioned Dr. Marx, the cardiologist, that maybe the echo was done wrong, which he ackowledged that perhaps, "you would think maybe" but he didn't seem to think so. His EKG and physical exam were both very good, and in general he thought, unchanged when they should normally get a little worse. "I am marking down that this is quizzical," he said.

Possibly the gradient was different from a sedated echo vs a non-sedated one, he thought. Perhaps Brady is gaining strength and weight and that is helping... perhaps his Nana, Aunt Laura, Uncle Joe, Aunt Jeanette are all looking out for him from up above (well... Uncle Joe might be looking up:)).. and he is on two prayer chains (thanks Grandma Mae and the nuns).

His next echo will be unsedated and in February. I know his doctor was happy with his tone and overall he is doing much better. I know one day he will need the cath and probably surgery... I am prepared for that news too. I am glad we can hold off a little while though! Phew!