Clara is in surgery; the doctors are inserting a pacemaker.
Update: She's through the surgery, and the surgeons were pleased with how well she did. She's a little fighter.
The reason for the pacemaker is the ongoing arrythmia; the doctors had hoped that it would correct itself within a few days, but no such luck. The arrythmia may be caused by the allegedly benign tumors growing on Clara's heart (one manifestation of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex), but (and I'm speculating here) may also be caused by the allegedly benign tumors in her brain. Operating on an infant's heart must be a difficult proposition, since it's about the size of a walnut. The tumors must be truly tiny. And if the arrythmia is caused by the brain tumors, there's almost no point in removing the heart tumors...it'd be an extremely dangerous procedure with no payoff.
Of course, the presence of the pacemaker means that the MRI to look at the brain tumors won't happen, so whatever is happening in her head will be that much harder to diagnose.
Still in the woods.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
You got it. She's on my prayer list.
As always - good thoughts to you, and Clara's parents.
Kurt will the heart be repaired or repair itself eventually? (I don't remember if you already answered this and I don't know a lot about pacemakers. I am sure your family knows too much.)
Prayers continue, for Clara and her family to be strong through all of this. Thanks for sharing the pictures - she is so precious.
she is definitely in mine.
hope all turns out well!
Hey You. I've been away for awhile and just read the update on Clara. I will keep her, you and all of your family in my prayers.
P.S. Congrats on your (fake) engagement!
Sherri
Your entire family is in our prayers. Please keep us up to date on her progress.
Post a Comment