Teyla's six-month check-up was yesterday, and I'm sorry to say, the shots weren't the worst of it.
During the routine physical check, our wonderful pediatrician took an abnormally long time listening to Teyla's heart. She would stop and say, "Hmmm," and then listen some more. (Nothing like that to stop a Mom from breathing.)
In the end, she said she's hearing a "swish-thump" instead of the typical "thump-thump." Not really a murmur, just a different sound. It could very well be nothing, but as this is the first time she's heard it in Teyla, she referred us to the pediatric cardiology unit at our local children's hospital to have them check it out.
My first thought is that Teyla may have inherited a bicuspid aortic valve, which is heart defect present in my Dad. My understanding is that a bicuspid valve -- versus the normal tricuspid valve -- allows blood to leak backward into the heart's pumping chamber. It may also cause a narrowing of the artery. While it's something doctors certainly want to be aware of, it's not life-threatening. My Dad has lived with his 60+ years now. At some point, it may need to be replaced. But so far, so good.
Right now, we have an appointment with the pediatric cardiologist on Monday, August 4. Our pediatrician said they will most likely take an in-depth listen to Teyla's heart, and if they feel it's warranted, they'll do an echo cardiogram, which is non-invasive. (Whew!)
It's always scary to think something could be wrong with your baby. Certainly I've hugged Teyla a lot more since yesterday's appointment, and my stomach continues to do flip-flops when I think about the unknown. (So far, I've resisted Googling the symptoms. Plus one for me.)
But as many wonderful friends on Twitter said, heart issues are somewhat common in newborns, and they often turn out to be nothing. And as our pediatrician said, the fact that Teyla is pink and healthy and happy and growing well indicates it's not an urgent issue.
So we'll wait. But I covet your prayers -- for all of our hearts. In the end, only God can give Corey and I the peace we crave, and only He knows exactly what's going on.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Oh, Kelly, I will be praying for all of you.
ReplyDeleteEven knowing God has us in the palm of His hand, sometimes we need others to stand in the gap with us to encourage our faith and spirit. I know I have been abundantly blessed by the shared prayers of others for my children, and will definitely pray for that sweet little thing and your family.
(Yay for you for not googling the symptoms- webmd is of the devil, I am convinced! Every time I look something up I discover I have every virus and terminal illness out there- ugh!)
We will be praying for you. I just know she is going to be fine !!
ReplyDeleteHang in there - and do not Google!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be praying for all of you.
ReplyDeleteI'll pray over your sweet baby girl as I hold mine.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has a bicuspid aortic valve that was not discovered until college when he was swimming competitively. Like you said, it's not life threatening, and it doesn't keep him from doing anything. I'm impressed that you haven't googled the symptoms. That is very, very wise.
ReplyDeleteI will certainly pray for Teyla, and for you, because I know it's scary.
Kelly, my son (4 mos. old) does have a congenital heart defect. And an echo cardiogram is nothing more than a heart ultrasound, really. Seth has slept through more than one! I'll be praying for Teyla as well.
ReplyDelete(I truly enjoy your blog SO much. THank you for sharing with us!)
I'll be praying. I'm thankful for regular checkups, so if it IS something you'll know about it and can do what needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteI know you'll keep us posted. Hugs.
Rebecca
You know you got'em, girl. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeletePraying!
ReplyDeleteI didn't even remember until I read this that my third baby girl was at a check up and they told me they heard the same thing. Next visit they said it was fine and didn't need follow up. Praying that for you, too!
I will certainly be praying for you guys. I'm sorry you even have to think about this!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Mama, I know exactly what you mean by "her heart is also mine." Stops and starts right there in their own little bodies. I will pray and hope for answers, quick, easy, simple answers right alongside you, for sure.
ReplyDeleteOHhh, I stopped breathing for a moment there.
ReplyDeleteNow that I can breathe again, I'll pray.
Right now.
Good for you for staying away from Google - that would surely NOT bring peace.
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for all of you, for peace and for restful sleep as you wait. I know health problems and potential health problems are much harder to bear when they're affecting our children instead of our own bodies.
I know you probably don't want to hear this, but I'm crying for you. I'm so sorry, Kelly.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I'm praying.
I'll be praying, Kelly. I had the same issue with my now 6 year old. She still has that same sound today, but the drs. say she's fine. I know it can be scary. I'm praying....
ReplyDeleteOh, Kelly, I am so sorry. Like the others have said, I'm sure that there's a very high chance that this is nothing serious. Either way, you'll be in my prayers!!
ReplyDeleteMajor prayers going up for you!
ReplyDeleteWe have had that conversation...the scary one that always puts a lump in your throat. Hopefully yours turn out perfectly fine!!
I will be praying for each of you! That is so frightening to hear, but I'm just sure she is going to be fine!!
ReplyDeleteNo matter what...DO NOT GO TO WEB MD OR GOOGLE THE SYMPTOMS. Under no circumstances are you allowed to even consider it!
I've had an echo--it's basically a sonogram for the heart and all it requires is that she lie on her side (and considering her age, that may not be necessary). Your hardest part will be keeping her still for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly - I just started reading your blog. We have baby girls one month apart and I just had to comment on this post - little Teyla will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I have been where you are. Last summer my middle son was getting his kindergarten checkup, when the pediatrician heard something. I dare say her bedside manner is lacking greatly, so her response frightened me. We had to wait almost a month before his cardiology appointment. I thought it would never come.
ReplyDeleteThe time came. The nurse did an EKG, and we sat a moment. The doctor came in. She listened to him, told us that she heard three different murmurs, they were all beningn, thanks for coming and have a nice day.
That was it.
She left the room, and I actually followed after her saying, "That's it?"
That was it. All that worrying and fear, for nothing.
I pray you'll have the same outcome!
Hugs to you and that sweet baby. Praying that God will wrap you in His arms and give you peace that passes all understanding as you wait.
ReplyDeleteBecause Her Heart Is Also Mine
ReplyDeleteoh, that brought the tears.
xo
Oh, Kelly, I will be lifting all of you up! And I pray for the peace that you are craving. I can't imagine what the unknown feels like, but He is holding Teyla and you and your whole family.
ReplyDeleteAnd good for you not google-ing it! Smart idea. It would just allow more room for worrying.
Praying for you and with you,
Ashley
I'm praying for you and your sweet baby - and I'm also certain that she is fine, fine, fine.
ReplyDeleteSending prayers your way . . .
ReplyDeleteMy nephew has an irregular heartbeat. He had to have a bypass when he was only 2 months old. He's fine now and I know your daughter will be, too.
Praying.
ReplyDeleteHer heart is also His.
I'll be praying too. She's so lovely and healthy and active and growing, I'm sure she'll be fine. Thankfully, God holds her heart in his hand, and yours as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kelly, my stomach flip-flopped as I read your words about her heart. I'm praying.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOops. I somehow left the same comment twice and then deleted it. Didn't mean to make a mess of your comments...
ReplyDeletePraying for you! Very wise not to google.
ReplyDeleteDear Kelly, you don't know me, but I have been reading your blog, and I just want you to know that I am praying for you and your sweet baby. Love, Michelle in California
ReplyDeleteOh, that is scary! My youngest had an irregular heartbeat when he was born and a "hole" in the wall of his heart (actually quite common, and it usually grows closed) so we had to do all the monitoring, etc. He's fine, of course, and I bet Teyla is too, but I know you'll feel better when you know more.
ReplyDeleteGod is good all the time. He cannot be otherwise!
ReplyDeletePraying with you.
You handled the miscarriage with such a peace and strength that could only have come from God. I will pray for His peace that passes understanding to again overflow in your family. He is holding your hand and walking you through even this time of uncertainty. We love you!
ReplyDeleteSharon
Praying for you as you wait...
ReplyDeleteImpressed that you have not googled. I NEVER don't google. How do you like that double negative? I can't stop myself from looking. But good for you for refraining.
ReplyDeleteI have a heart murmur, not even a problem, just a noisy heart, called a flow murmur - and I went through that whole echo thing and it's not a big deal. It's just like an ultrasound, only they're looking at the heart. It's actually kind of cool.
BUT, our heart is like the thing that pumps our life through us so the idea that something could be amiss is frightening.
SO, my prayers are with little Teyla. And with you.
Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteKelly, will be praying for you. We were told that our daughter had a heart murmur I think when she was about 18 months old. They monitored it and when she turned 3 a couple of months ago they had us go to a pediatric cardiologist also. She is completely fine and healthy and they didn't even need to do all of the tests. It is scary, but you are right, God will give you the complete peace you need. Remember that his peace surpsasses all understanding. God bless.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your sweet baby.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kelly, how did I miss this? We will keep her in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, Kelly! This is what happens when I fall behind on my blog-reading. I'm glad I read this before your appointment on Monday. I'll be praying for all of you... it IS a scary thing when you think something might be wrong with your precious kids.
ReplyDeleteThe post title says it all. Praying for you now, friend!
Oh, Kelly, that was such a hard moment that you described. I'm sorry your own heart and stomach had to feel that stress. I'll pray for her. She's so precious.
ReplyDelete