Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Maddie's old heart..

Following Maddie's surgery, Dr. AK came to talk with us. It was so good to see him. I have much respect for him; he is such a humble man. I wish everyone could meet him.


The first thing that Dr. AK said was, "I opened up her chest and just starred." "I couldn't believe what her heart was doing." "It wasn't even beating!" Her little heart was simply rocking from back and forth. The blood inside of her heart was sloshing around. He couldn't believe she didn't have any other cardiac issues. The human body is amazing as it automatically molds and adapts to try and correct what isn't working. Dr. AK explained that when an major organ, such as a heart, is in distress, other organs will compensate in order to save it. That is exactly what her little body was doing.

Her old heart was 4x the size it should have been; the same size of a 14 year old's heart. It was about the same size as my fist. (your heart is about the size as your own fist..) There wasn't any room in her tiny body for such a large organ. Her left lung was completely collapsed as her heart was squishing it and all of her organs had been pushed to the side. Because her heart wasn't beating correctly, within a couple days Maddie became lethargic, throwing up, no appetite, pale and sort of a dusk color.

Madison's new heart is the size of a walnut. Dr. AK said that it was the perfect size for such a sweet girl. In looking at the pictures below; looking down at her heart, it should be about the same size as his watch.

(I didn't realize these pictures are hard to see. We are meeting with the pathologist in a couple days. I plan on taking more detailed pics at that time..)

The white lining on the inside of her heart is the diseased part (her Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) Also, the lining of her heart was rough. It should have been smooth and clean.

11 comments:

Mindi D said...

I am seriously so impressed by you. You are so smart and so optimistic! I have just started reading about Miss Madison and i am a fan :) She's a cutie and you are amazing. The part about 'i don't want everyone to worry' i am dying that you are worrying about 'everyone' else. Just worry about you and your baby girl. You are cute. Have a good night, i will be back in the morning!!

Amy said...

Wow, this is incredible to see just how much her body was having to compensate. Glad she is doing so well!!

Al and Jenny said...

It sounds like things were even worse off with the old heart than anyone could have imagined. The pictures are so interesting. I can't wait for Al to see them and to see the ones from the pathologist.

Miss Maddie is such a strong little thing! Al 17 lbs. of her :) And I just think the world of you and Mark. I don't know of anybody else that would be handling this as well as you are. You and Mark and Maddie and Cooper continue to be in my prayers.

I couldn't be happier for all of you about Miss Maddie's progress. What a great Christmas gift. Love you guys!!

marissa | Rae Gun Ramblings said...

wow, so interesting and amazing how Maddie's whole body was working so hard

Three Plus Me said...

Everytime I read your blog I'm on the edge of my seat. I love all the info you're passing on to us. Gotta love technology! Thanks for the updates. Great to talk with you today. Love ya.

Julia W said...

You don't even know me. I'm a friend of Summer Strickland and I found your blog through a link on her blog. I've been so touched by your story and your sweet little girl. I just want to let you know that people you don't even know are praying for you and your little Madison.

Ryan and Susie said...

very, very interesting. She's a lucky girl to receive such a beautiful gift.

Kimmie said...

absolutely AMAZING!!!!! our bodies and the miracles medical technology can provide are just brilliant!!!! maddie is one tough little girl, hope you two are hanging in there as well! never heard of you or your story until the day she got her heart, but i think of you everyday now. may the speedy recovery continue so you MIGHT enjoy the holidays at HOME. if not, at least you can still enjoy them with a "perfect heart Maddie"!!

Me said...

Isn't that the most amazing thing. Her heart was huge. Daxtons heart was about half that size. I was hoping I could come and visit today if that would be ok. I hope that Maddies day goes very smoothly.

Kathy said...

The pictures are amazing. It is just incredible to think what her little body was doing to compensate for her old heart. Hope you are all having a better day.

Anonymous said...

hello! Your daughter is beautiful! I have been looking for someone to hold an online auction for this holiday season and I think I found the perfect family!!! Are you in need of medical help or do you have a donations fund set up? I would LOVE to do this for you. I get people to donate boutique items, hold a silent auction, and then you get all the proceeds! Let me know if you are intersted and I will get it up and running! Thanks, Shannon you can reach me at shannon_staker at hotmail dot com!