Laughing Warrior: 2/8/09

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Congenital Heart Awareness Week 2009

According to the American Heart Association, at least eight out of every 1,000 infants born each year have a heart defect. There are about 1 million Americans with cardiovascular defects that are alive today. Though research is ongoing, at least 35 defects have now been identified. Isaac "The Laughing Warrior" is amoung those statistics. In honor of CHD week, please say a prayer for these kids and families struggling with heart issues. If you have the funds and would like to donate to local non-profit support for families struggling with childrens heart health issues, please visit http://www.intermountainhealinghearts.org/ to make your donation, all donations are tax-deductible.

Isaac's Heart Diagnosis and More

Isaac was born with Hypoplastic Right Ventricle with Dextrocardia, Pulmonary Stenosis, and VSD. He also has a leaky Tricuspid valve with moderate leakage. He had a BT shunt 1-17-03, Bi-Directional Glenn removing BT shunt 7-7-03, and the Fontan 6-22-06.
He was also born with Hydrocephalus (no shunt or brain damage), and Unilateral hearing loss (which he outgrew and only has minor hearing loss now). He also was born missing the top portion of his left ear (the pinea) which he will have plastic surgery for in a couple of years. He also has a condition with his left eye called Exotropia which may require surgery. He only has 70% of an airway which causes frequent croup, due to drainage from post nasal drip. We still find new problems occasionally, however his Heart is the most serious of all of his issues.