First of all, thank you to everyone who has kept Violet and us in your prayers the last few days, and the last few months. We truly appreciate it all, and it makes it much easier knowing that so many people care.
To catch everyone up, in September we were referred to a cardiologist by our family doctor due to him hearing a murmur at Violet's 3 year check up. Many children have murmurs, so we weren't overly concerned; however, the cardiologist did find that Violet had a cleft mitral valve, which was causing moderate leakage, which in time, could cause significant heart enlargement. In October, we were told to come back in 6 months, which would allow the cardiologist to determine whether the leakage was steady, or progressively getting worse.
So, that leads us up to yesterday (April 6). We returned to the cardiologist, and Violet went through another EKG and had an ultrasound done of her heart. Following the procedures, we had another consult with the cardiologist.
The news is bittersweet--good in the fact that Violet's conditions haven't deteriorated, but they are still there. Medically speaking, there is very little chance that Violet's condition will heal itself, so surgery is still on the horizon. Also, there are no trials/tests/etc. for repairing this condition in other ways--and the cardiologist does not see any major advances in the near future.
As for the timing of the surgery, the cardiologist does not see any rush to do it, however, he understands that some parents don't like living with the knowledge of an impending surgery. So we spent much of the consult discussing the pros and cons of postponing surgery, or scheduling a consult with the surgeon to have surgery sooner. Probably the most difficult part of the process right now is that there are no major benefits or detriments to doing or postponing the surgery.
We now, as parents, are discussing and trying to make decisions as to what track to follow over the next few years. Do we go ahead and have the surgery, knowing that once finished, there's a 75% chance that Violet would not have to have any other procedures? Or do we wait another year for another check-up, and see what's happening, knowing that short of a miracle, surgery is in her future no matter what?
Thanks so much for all your support, and we continue to appreciate your continued prayers as we search for guidance to make these decisions.
Charissa, Ben, Violet and Miles
