An update on the Family

Although we are home from the hospital, we are not done seeing doctors. A few days after Sydney was born she was diagnosed with what is called VSD (ventrical septum defect). This is the most common heart defect babies are diagnosed with...that's what they tell me at least. The morning after Sydney was born, her pediatrician came into our room and told us that he detected a heart murmur. He said that he wanted us to stay at the hospital for a few days longer because he wanted to keep an eye on her heart. He said that he thought she would be fine because most baby's heart murmurs will disappear within a few days. Well, after a few days her murmur was still there. So on Sunday morning her pediatrician came in and told us that he ordered an Ecocardiogram to be done on her heart (It's basically an ultrasound) because her murmur hadn't gone away, nor was it getting any better.



The test was sent to Boise where there is a Pediatric Cardiologist who was qualified to diagnose the problem. The results came back and that's when we found out that Sydney has VSD. VSD means that Sydney has a hole in-between the two ventricals of her heart. SO- the same blood that has already been oxygenated is just going in a big circle in her heart and is never being pumped to the rest of her body, which causes her heart to have to work harder than normal. The size of her hole is large enough to where the doctors don't think it will be able to fix itself. They think that most likely Sydney will need surgery because if it is not corrected then Syd will eventually have an enlarged heart and effect her way of life.



When I first heard this news I cried more tears than I thought possible. But as I have learned more about this defect, the more I am put at ease. As scary as open-heart surgery may seem, this surgery is extremely common and very succesful. We have been referred to a Doctor from Primary Childrens Medical Center who specializes in these types of surgeries and we meet with her on May 12. She comes to Idaho Falls two days out of every month which is great for us because driving down to Salt Lake every month would have gotten a little expensive. Until then, we do what the doctor says and we keep Sydney inside and away from any risk of her getting sick. Because her heart is already over-working itself, the last thing we want to do is make it work even harder.



This has been a hard pill to swallow but through it all, Jordan and I know that everything will be ok. Sydney will be all right. Knowing that so many people are praying for us is very humbling and it has strengthened our family immensley. Its hard to believe that this is something our family has to deal with. You always hear of these types of things happening to other people and to have it actually happen to you is...well...I don't have a word for it. Regardless, we know that the Lord is watching over us and that prayers are being said in our behalf in many places. Thank you, everyone, for keeping us in your thoughts. Jordan and I have felt them. Heavenly Father watches over his little children- this I am sure.Now to end with a smile, here is a picture of my little lady...