Friday 11 March 2022

This week my Word of the Week is: Relief! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

Relief

On Wednesday we were at the hospital (again). This time for a routine check on Ellie's heart. She had open heart surgery to fix a hole in her heart when she was almost 2 years old and we have been having yearly check ups since, well mostly, a year was skipped because of Covid.

The appointment went really well, the doctor was amazing and he put us at ease straight away. Ellie's heart looks great which is of course a huge relief. He said it hasn't changed since she was last scanned in Newcastle over 3 years ago which is positive. The chances are if it doesn't change in the next few years Ellie will never need any more surgery unless something changes way later in her life. It was also the end of an era, Ellie has been discharged from the children's outpatients and referred to adults. Her next appointment will be in 2 years which is a big deal. We only usually go at the most 18 months at the most between appointments, well apart from when we're in a pandemic. We will still be seen by the amazing doctor at least once again and then will be passed over to one of his team.

The good news doesn't stop there though! About 5 weeks ago we got the results from Ellie's MRI scan, it was just routine before getting hearing aids fitted and it showed old bleeds on her brain. It was a massive shock and worry for us and I have been stressing ever since. The doctor we saw didn't give us any information of even a hint at what could have caused them and told us to wait for a neurosurgeon appointment. 

I took the opportunity on Wednesday to ask the cardiologist about if Ellie's heart problems could have caused the bleeds on the brain and he told me yes!! He said that it is really common for brain bleeds to happen in heart patients especially when people are on a heart bypass machine. It was probably mentioned to us before the surgery as a complication but as she didn't show any symptoms nothing more was thought about it. If symptoms aren't shown they don't go looking for them in every heart child. He told us not to worry and that he would put a letter in with Ellie's notes to say we have spoken about it and share his opinion so the neurologist people can see and he said they might actually do the appointment over the phone instead of dragging us all the way to Hull. 

I came out of the hospital grinning ear to ear. It feels like a weight has been lifted, the relief was immense! I feel like we can now stop worrying a little and relax. 

Word of the Week linky

5 comments :

  1. I am so pleased everything went well. It is always a relief when there is good news regarding health. Hope you are planning on celebrating this weekend.

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  2. Oh my goodness! That is such a huge relief. What fantastic news for you all. x

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  3. It really is a relief, especially when you worry so much. I'm so glad that Ellie is okay and now hopefully she can have her earing aid. xx

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  4. OH what a relief! I am so happy to hear that all went so well!!

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  5. I’m so glad that all went so well with Ellie’s heart check-up and that you got some answers with the old brain bleeds – I can imagine what a huge relief that must have been. Amazing to be able to go two years before the next appointment too. So glad that Ellie is doing so well. #WotW

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