Visit with Cardiologist

I took Terrin to the cardiologist in Birmingham yesterday. And, I would like to start this post with a disclaimer. I am not a doctor. I listened as best I could with a squirmy toddler, and I will relay what I heard. If I get some terms and discriptions wrong, just ignore it like you do my spelling!

First off, Terrin in cleared for his surgery on Monday. However, he does have Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). It is a heart murmur that is not uncommon in infants. (If you want to read more, there is an article on americanheart.org) Basically, the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heard is not completely formed. So, blood leaks from one side to the other. However, with Terrin, his chamber is also larger than it should be. So, when he is 2 or 3, we will need to take him back to the cardiologist to have it checked out again. There is a possiblity that he will have to have surgery to "build" that wall. If left untreated, he would develop lung problems later in life because his heart is pumping too much blood to his lungs. If the surgery is necessary, he should live a normal life after that -- no further treatment should be necessary.

Terrin has had many small medical issues during his sort life. Nothing to be alarmed about, just that they all add up to "why"? So, the cardiologist echoed what our pediatrician in Tyler recommended and that is genetics testing. I am not really worried for two reasons: 1) I was raised by parents who always respended with "It is nothing until it is something". So, I am calm. 2) I can explain most of the "symptoms" they are concerned about. So, we will do the testing, just to make sure. The date for that has not been set. And, prayers never hurt.