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Post by coopersmoma on Jul 10, 2004 23:53:23 GMT -5
Cooper went in this week for just a regular check up with his Pediatrician and we were told that his sternum is not healing correctly from his heart surgery. He has a pretty large knot on his chest and our Dr says it has to be fixed! The knot has been there all along but has not been as large. It is more pointed now than it has been. This is all too scary to think that my precious baby will have to have another surgery. I called the Cardiologist office and made an appointment and they are gonna see him on Wednesday afternoon. I am hoping they will tell me his sternum is ok! I can't stand the thought of him being opened back up. Has anyone else had experience with this after heart surgery? I would like some feedback on this and would appreciate all prayers! Thanks
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Post by Pat on Jul 11, 2004 6:33:58 GMT -5
Prayers on their way from PA!
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Post by Sherri on Jul 11, 2004 13:42:52 GMT -5
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Post by Ashlea on Jul 11, 2004 17:12:29 GMT -5
How long has it been since his heart surgery?
Chandler had AV Canal repairs at 2 months and has always had a very obvious knot (it's pointed also). I asked the ped & cardio about it but they always say it's just cosmetic and it can be fixed but why fix it if it's just cosmetic? Anway, he used to get carpet burn on his chest when he would army man crawl, but other than that, it has never caused any problems.
I just can't imagine this is really necessary unless it does click or move like the other link said. I would definitely get a second, maybe third opinion on that.
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Post by Rhonda3 on Jul 11, 2004 19:57:13 GMT -5
Dylan had an AV Canal repair at 5 months of age and his sternum also sticks out far, looks like a golf ball. I was very concerned about it but his cardiologist said it's just the way he healed. It doesn't seem to bother Dylan any more, but he use to hate to be on his belly. Best of luck to you. You'll be in my prayers.
Rhonda and Dylan 14 months
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Post by coopersmoma on Jul 11, 2004 23:34:13 GMT -5
Ashlea, Cooper's surgery was months ago. He was 2 months old also. I asked one of the nurse practicioners that I work with and she says if its just a rib end, the repair would only be for cosmetic reasons, if it is his sternum, it would probably need to be repaired because the sternum is what protects the heart and lungs. If it is just a rib end, I will not even think of him going through another surgery for cosmetic reasons. I appreciate everyones comments.
Wendey
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Post by ALLISA on Jul 12, 2004 7:12:06 GMT -5
Oh you poor thing ! How distressing to hear about the possibility of more surgery, when you were probably so relieved to have that behind you !!
But don't panic just yet... like everyone else has posted, my daughter has the lump in her sternum as well. My peditrician was slightly concerned with it, but my cardioligist assures me it is fine and only cosmetic.
My main concern was that what if she got hit with a ball or something right there ? It seems so fragile. But again they assure me it is not fragile.
Your peditrician may just be being cautios as he/she may not see that many heart repairs, wait for the cardioligist appt.
Let us know !!!
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Post by justinsmom on Jul 12, 2004 13:17:35 GMT -5
First off Prayers headed out. As for the chest Justin did/does have ASD/VSD, ASD closed on it's own but still has the VSD. He has always had what they called a pigeon chest and still does even without any cardiac surgery but as he is getting older and bigger it is getting a little better but it still is very noticeable. My thinking on this if it isn't causing pain/discomfort or other complications then we continue to say it is just Justin sticking out his chest and showing everyone he is proud as a peathingy  , but we will have to check when sports comes around I'm not sure what will happen if he would to get hit there or if the solution is as simple as a chest protector we will see. |
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Post by matthew'smom on Jul 12, 2004 20:24:29 GMT -5
My Matthew also had AV Canal repair at 11 weeks. He also has a bump that is quite noticable-I've never asked the cardiologist about this, but I will now.  Keep us posted on Cooper-I hope you get good news. |
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Post by coopersmoma on Jul 14, 2004 23:07:30 GMT -5
I took Cooper back to the Dr today and he will have to have surgery. The knot on his chest is the sternum and is probably gonna be like that, he had a wire that has moved its way around to the front of the bone and is no longer around the sternum. This could get infected and cause irritation as he gets bigger. They have us scheduled for surgery next Thursday. This is a one day surgery and we should be able to go home that day. The Dr. said they will make a small incision and remove the wire. The surgery should take about 30 minutes. I am still worried, its still a surgery that my precious baby will have to go through. Everyone please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks-Wendey
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Post by alisonzmom on Jul 14, 2004 23:35:29 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that Cooper has to have surgery.
You'll both be in my prayers!
Barb
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Post by Deborah on Jul 15, 2004 7:16:23 GMT -5
We will be praying for you all.
Deborah and Jennifer
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Post by steffipoo on Jul 15, 2004 11:35:35 GMT -5
Hi!!!! Sorry he hasta go thru with another surgery. THANKFULLY it'll be short and sweet... Specially you do NOT want him to get an infection from the wire cause my hubby had endocarditis(an infection that went to his heart) and since had to have 2 open heart surgeries to replace his diseased tricuspid valve. 2 times in a grown man cracking the chest is not fun and what was worse he said was the original infection. He has TONS of scar tissue so I'm glad they caught that!!! HUGDS and good luck Steff
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Post by momofrussell on Jul 17, 2004 18:54:51 GMT -5
Lots and Lots of prayers for Cooper! I hope all goes well!
Hugs
A.
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Post by coopersmoma on Jul 24, 2004 23:02:20 GMT -5
Cooper had his surgery on Thursday morning. Everything went good. They made a little incision, where they had went in when they did his heart surgery. Went in took the wire out and closed him up, it took about 30 minutes and we were home by dark that night. He is very very sore and is crying a lot. This is not normal for Cooper, he is usually a happy baby and hardly ever cries. It breaks my heart everytime I pick him up. It hurts him so bad to be picked up and he just puckers his little lip up and screams in pain. It make me want to cry for him. But he is fixed and will feel better soon and be back to his normal happy self. Thanks to everyone for thinking of us.
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, but we will have to check when sports comes around I'm not sure what will happen if he would to get hit there or if the solution is as simple as a chest protector we will see.
jackie
