Saturday, April 3, 2010

The Unexpected

The unexpected usually never comes at a good time.....but this time was extremely bad timing!!!


Yesterday Mason was discharged around noon to go home from the CVICU, because he was doing very well post- heart cath. We headed right back to our home away from home to take a nap and get some rest before our family arrived (we'd had quite a sleepless night).


Around 6:30 we got a very exciting knock at the door. Mark, Kaitlin, Preston, Braiden, Ammon and Sammi ( our lifesaver nanny) had arrived after a 14 hour drive from Utah! Mason screamed with surprise and excitement as he lifted both of his hands above his head waving out our special visitors. It was absolutely precious to see Mason smiling so big as we a hugged each of our long awaited visitors. It had been a long 6 weeks since I'd seen my 4 other beautiful children.....oh how I've missed them!!!



Okay, now for the poorly timed unexpected event.........15 minutes after they arrived, Mason was sitting on the floor playing toys with the kids and all of a sudden he fell over. I figured he'd been bumped, because that's not normal for him, so I tried to help him sit back up........but he couldn't! The whole right side of his body was very weak and almost limp! Then I also noticed that his right eye and the right side of his mouth were drooping too! My heart sank! I immediately thought STROKE......he'd just had a catheter and central line plus 2 IV's which are all possible causes for blood clots.....I was scared!!



Even though after 10 minutes he seemed to be regaining his strength and after 30 minutes back to normal........after consulting by phone with Cardiology (during that 10 to 30 minutes) Mark and I took him to the ER.



Around midnight, after a CT scan on his brain, an ultrasound on his legs and groin area (where he'd had his catheter and central line, and many discussions with the 'on call' neurologist and cardiologist.........Mason was readmitted to the CV-ICU to be monitored and started on blood thinners.



The good news: Mason's CT showed no damage. The bad news: Mason did have a TIA (transient ischemic attack) which is a mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. And the ultrasound showed a blood clot in his right groin. So, most likely a piece of that broke off and caused his TIA.



Now the important treatment of action is to try and prevent this from occurring again. Another one could be more severe and cause damage! Thus Mason will be on blood thinner shots 2x daily for several months. Right now we will be in the CV-ICU probably through Monday. They want to monitor him to watch for another TIA (very unlikely, but still possible) and Mason has to have frequent blood draws to check for the correct level of blood thinner medication before we can be discharged.




This is NOT how we planned to spend Easter!!!




Please help us pray for no more stroke episodes and that his clots may dissolve quickly. We sure hope and pray his healthy new wonderful heart comes soon too. Thank you for all your love and concern.

12 comments:

Allison said...

Oh no!! What a terrible time to have this unexpected setback, especially when you have your whole family together for Easter! I am sorry that you will have to give him the Lovenox shots... that is miserable. We will pray that Mason's clots dissolve and cause no more problems! I am so glad you have Mark with you during that scary ordeal!

The Simmons Family said...

I am SO sorry!! :( While it's aweful timing, it's a blessing that you have Mark and Sammi there too! I hope you can find time to spend with all your kiddos while they are there! We're thinking of you guys and PRAYING for the clots to dissolve so Mason has no more setbacks. And those darn Lovenox shots... my heart is aching for him!!

Tasha said...

My heart just dropped when I read that he fell over. I am so sorry to hear that this is how you get to spend Easter...Hope oyu can make the best of it.

kurtis said...

O my heavens i am so sorry. Poor little guy, and poor family! He is keeping us all on our toes that's for sure! Good luck and Happy Easter :)
Mindi
Libbi's mama

Mindi D said...

Oops sorry, my husband went and got a google account, it's totally throwing me off :)
Mindi
Libbi's mama

♥Stef said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
♥Stef said...

Darn it, these heart babies sure like to take the hard road. Poor little guy.
I am glad you were able to see your cute family and that they were there to support you during that scary time.
Yes, we will pray for that heart to get here quick!
I hope you can have a Happy Easter :)

♥ Michele ♥ said...

That sounds all too familiar!! Gracie had a 'watershed ishemia' type of stroke after her cath as well. It is such a roller coaster ride! I am glad you had the support of your husband and kids there to deal with this latest episode!! So glad things are better now. We will keep praying for you!!

Angela :) said...

Well, at least you had your family there with you. :) I am praying for this little guy! His story gets more amazing every single day! Just like you, I am sure, I am waiting for that blog entry that says. "MASON IS HEALED!!!" Praying for a miracle and strength. :)
Angie's Support Team

Mike said...

That had to be terrifying Summer and Mark! He will definitely be in our prayers! And seriously, this little guy needs that heart!!! I'm thinking it's time for his miracle, and thee sooner the better!

cici said...

I am praying with you that it is just a single occurence from the heart cath and Mason will be released soon.
My sister had TIA's for a while and then they found she had a hole in her heart since birth...at age 65, can you believe it was never found before?I am so glad you and Mason are surrounded by family'
Many Easter Blessing to you!

Stefenie said...

These kids sure are good at keeping us on our toes. I am so sorry that he had a mini-stroke. I'll be saying extra prayers for all of you!

Stef, Ryan, Wyatt and Logan
www.whenlifehandsyouabrokenheart.blogspot.com