Dear Friends and Family,
About 3 weeks ago, Morgan, our oldest son, went to our family doctor for his immunization update and physical required by Duke for entering college. Dr. Mabry detected a suspicious heart murmur that previously had not been present. Over these weeks, Morgan was sent for a series of tests including an echocardiogram, MRI and catheterization. To our shock and dismay, Morgan has been diagnosed with congenital heart disease. Basically, his right lung is almost completely draining into his right ventricle, instead of the left ventricle, resulting in his right ventricle being hugely enlarged (4.5 times the normal size) by the misrouted blood flow (over 2 times the normal rate). This is called anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. He also has a small hole between the left and right ventricles called a sinus venosus atrial septal defect (ASD) that contributes to the increased volume.
Initially, we were told that this condition was something he could likely wait a year or so to have corrected. However, this past Friday, after the catheterization, his cardiologist, Dr. Loyoka, told us he believes that Morgan is on the cusp of the onset of atrial fibrillation, which once begun, is an irreversible life-long, life-threatening condition. At worst, this could result in a stroke, leading to death or incapacitation, and at best, would result in a shortened life expectancy. The good news is that this has been discovered, and if corrected in time, his heart will return to normal size and function and he will no longer be at risk by this condition. It often is not detected until much later in life, when irreparable damage has been done.
The correction is by open heart surgery and is highly successful. We meet tomorrow with the surgeon, Dr. Ott, at The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's in Houston and hope to schedule the surgery as soon as possible, preferably this coming week. The recovery time from the surgery is normally about 8 weeks, but we hope that with Morgan's otherwise great health and youth, that he will recuperate rapidly and be able to begin his freshman year at Duke as scheduled. If not, then he will have to start later, but we plan to keep the option open until we know otherwise.
While we are beyond stunned, we are confident the risks of not addressing the condition are greater than the risks of surgery. We have consulted with another cardiologist who is in agreement. We are not only extremely grateful to Dr. Mabry for detecting a problem, but also fortunate that Morgan was sent immediately to the Texas Heart Institute for testing and consultation with Dr. Loyoka, who is one of very few cardiologist specializing in both pediatric and adult cardiology. We know that Dr. Ott is among the most highly regarded cardiac surgeons, who has a reputation for being not only skilled, but also fast, which is of utmost importance during open heart surgery.
This is all very surreal and hard to believe is happening. Morgan is taking it well and is concerned with having the surgery right away so he has a hope of starting at Duke as planned. While it will be a disappointment to him to have to wait, he understands he may not have a choice. Luckily, most of his friends are still in town and immediately have begun to rally around him with their support and encouragement. It would mean a lot to him and to us to know that you, his family, friends, friends of family, parents of friends, and most excellent teachers and mentors, whom all have contributed so much to his life, growth and accomplishment keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and rapid recovery.
We will let everyone know as soon as possible when the surgery is scheduled.
With much faith, love and regard,
Patty Fox
About 3 weeks ago, Morgan, our oldest son, went to our family doctor for his immunization update and physical required by Duke for entering college. Dr. Mabry detected a suspicious heart murmur that previously had not been present. Over these weeks, Morgan was sent for a series of tests including an echocardiogram, MRI and catheterization. To our shock and dismay, Morgan has been diagnosed with congenital heart disease. Basically, his right lung is almost completely draining into his right ventricle, instead of the left ventricle, resulting in his right ventricle being hugely enlarged (4.5 times the normal size) by the misrouted blood flow (over 2 times the normal rate). This is called anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. He also has a small hole between the left and right ventricles called a sinus venosus atrial septal defect (ASD) that contributes to the increased volume.
Initially, we were told that this condition was something he could likely wait a year or so to have corrected. However, this past Friday, after the catheterization, his cardiologist, Dr. Loyoka, told us he believes that Morgan is on the cusp of the onset of atrial fibrillation, which once begun, is an irreversible life-long, life-threatening condition. At worst, this could result in a stroke, leading to death or incapacitation, and at best, would result in a shortened life expectancy. The good news is that this has been discovered, and if corrected in time, his heart will return to normal size and function and he will no longer be at risk by this condition. It often is not detected until much later in life, when irreparable damage has been done.
The correction is by open heart surgery and is highly successful. We meet tomorrow with the surgeon, Dr. Ott, at The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's in Houston and hope to schedule the surgery as soon as possible, preferably this coming week. The recovery time from the surgery is normally about 8 weeks, but we hope that with Morgan's otherwise great health and youth, that he will recuperate rapidly and be able to begin his freshman year at Duke as scheduled. If not, then he will have to start later, but we plan to keep the option open until we know otherwise.
While we are beyond stunned, we are confident the risks of not addressing the condition are greater than the risks of surgery. We have consulted with another cardiologist who is in agreement. We are not only extremely grateful to Dr. Mabry for detecting a problem, but also fortunate that Morgan was sent immediately to the Texas Heart Institute for testing and consultation with Dr. Loyoka, who is one of very few cardiologist specializing in both pediatric and adult cardiology. We know that Dr. Ott is among the most highly regarded cardiac surgeons, who has a reputation for being not only skilled, but also fast, which is of utmost importance during open heart surgery.
This is all very surreal and hard to believe is happening. Morgan is taking it well and is concerned with having the surgery right away so he has a hope of starting at Duke as planned. While it will be a disappointment to him to have to wait, he understands he may not have a choice. Luckily, most of his friends are still in town and immediately have begun to rally around him with their support and encouragement. It would mean a lot to him and to us to know that you, his family, friends, friends of family, parents of friends, and most excellent teachers and mentors, whom all have contributed so much to his life, growth and accomplishment keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and rapid recovery.
We will let everyone know as soon as possible when the surgery is scheduled.
With much faith, love and regard,
Patty Fox
posted by Great Eats at 10:40 AM
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