On Tuesday, June 30th, we took Madison to her 8 week check up. While we were there her Pediatrician checked her heart rate and noticed it was elevated to 200. (The highest it really should be is 180) He ordered a chest x-ray, an EKG, and an ultrasound of her heart. The x-ray we were able to get done that day. The EKG and ultrasound had to be done the following day.
On Wednesday, July 1st at 3:15 we took Madison to the Children's Heart Center to get her EKG and ultrasound done. After a few minutes of testing they called the pediatric cardiologist back to the office to look over the results because of numerous concerns they had, one being that her heart rate was up to 240. The pediatric cardiologist came very quickly, explained to us that Madison had SVT, and sent us immediately to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
When we got to the PICU, they began working on her immediately to try to get her out of SVT. If I understand correctly, SVT is basically when the electrical impulses in her heart aren't working correctly, causing her heart to beat "incorrectly". For more on SVT, click here.
They immediately started an IV line in her groin to administer medicine which is supposed to quickly trigger her out of SVT. Getting the IV line in proved to be very challenging and it took them a while. (It seemed like 1/2 hour but I'm not sure.) After they got the IV line in, they were able to administer the medication to stop the SVT. It worked for a minute, but then she went right back into SVT.
They then tried the same medication again, and then the same thing happened. Since then they have tried I believe three different medications.
The good news is that it looks like she is finally out of SVT, but her heart rate is still too high. They discovered that she has an elevated thyroid and thinks that may be the cause of her elevated heart rate. They are bringing in an endocrinologist and the neonatal team to help figure out why her thyroid is elevated.
Right now she is still showing lots of very positive signs, including the fact that she is very alert, she is eating well, her urine output is great, and many other tests have proved to have positive results.
It looks like we will not be going home anytime soon. Please pray for our Madison Rose. She's our little fighter.
Oh, Gwen. I'm praying for you all. I know what it's like to have a child in the hospital. Keep doing the updates.
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ReplyDeleteI have already said a few prayers and will continue to do so. I have the kids on it, too! Please call Tony if you have any questions or need anything explained further. He thinks a lot of the entire PICU team so you are in good hands. We'll be home the 5th so let me know how I can help...give you a nap, bring food, clean your house...let me know!!! Hang in there. Much love, may you feel God's big loving arms right now!!
Gwen and Matt, We're praying hard for you and we thank you for keeping us connected. Tom & Ann Nurenberg
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