Additional Background Information

We launched this blog site and posted about Lia’s heart concerns less than twelve hours ago on Facebook. The support and prayer response we have received has been such a great encouragement. Since this blog site has been shared by a few of our family and friends, I want to provide additional context to why we launched this blog now and what we have learned so far about Lia’s heart concerns.

We decided to share our news now, before receiving a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan for a couple of reasons. First, our family, friends, and church family know what Danielle has been through since Christmas: gallstone formation, childbirth, readmission for postpartum blood pressure issues, gallbladder removal with two subsequent ERCP GI scopes, and a couple other things. With all of that behind us now, we do not want to give the appearance that everything is now fine and life can move forward calmly when asked by others (especially at church tomorrow). We could not just smile, nod, and lie when asked about our family’s health and assumptions made that everybody is happy and healthy now. Second, our parents needed the freedom to talk about Lia’s situation and process it with others. Third, we need your prayers! Fourth, the treatment for coarctation of the aorta appears to be standard.

Even though we still wait for the results and recommendations from Lurie’s review of Lia’s echocardiogram, Lia’s pediatric cardiologist in Rockford believes that the likelihood for surgery within the next 6-8 weeks is strong. Coarctation of the aorta increases blood pressures in the upper part of the body and lowers circulation in the lower half. While Lia’s signs are not as severe as many I have read about online, she did show signs of cardiac/vascular compromise during her appointment. Upper extremity blood pressures were approximately 30 mm Hg higher than in the legs (and elevated for a 3 month old) and femoral (groin) pulses were diminished. Long term effects of this stress on the body if left uncorrected can lead to severe consequences. Treatment recommendations/standards seem to be to fix quickly after diagnosis to prevent long term complications. Two routes of treatment exist: angioplasty to open the aorta or surgery. As I study the issue, surgery appears to be the definitive treatment to correct when detected in infancy. Perhaps we are wrong and minimal treatment will be required (or delayed). If so, this will be a short-lived blog site :-). We will know more next week and will provide an update on the situation and plan.

We continue to trust in the Lord through all this. 

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 

2 Thessalonians 3:16