TYSON MATTHEW KOTTELENBERG

This blog is about our 14 year old son Tyson. Tyson was born with serious complex congenital heart defects, (Hypoplastic Right Ventricle, Tricuspid Atresia, Coarctation of Aorta, Transposed Great Arteries, with VSD and ASD.) In short, the right side of his heart is completely under-developed (he has half a heart,) his main arteries are mixed up, and his aorta is narrow. He has undergone 3 open-heart surgeries and 5 heart catheterization procedures to try to 'repair' his heart. Tyson also has severe narrowing in his pulmonary veins which are causing higher venous pressures. He's still doing AMAZINGLY well all things considered. We entrust our dear son into the hands of God, knowing that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him!

August 5th Heart Cath

Tyson is scheduled for his heart catheterization on Thursday, August 5th. We will be going down to Sick Kids on Wednesday for his pre-op tests: chest x-ray, blood work, ecg, signing the consent form, etc. His heart cath is scheduled for 8 am on Thursday.

To remind you all, a heart catheterization can be both investigational and interventional. People who need a type of heart surgery like having stents put in, or need balloon angioplasty, have it done through a heart catheterization. Tyson's heart cath is investigational, in preparation for his Fontan surgery this year. If however, they find any collateral veins that need coiling, they will do this during the procedure and it then becomes an interventional procedure.

The heart cath involves sending a catheter into his heart through the artery in his groin. The catheter is carefully threaded through the artery to Tyson's heart and then a dye called "contrast" is injected into his heart. The cardiologists can then measure heart pressures, oxygen levels, and gain information on the structure and function of the heart in preparation for his Fontan surgery. Tyson will be intubated for the procedure (breathing machine) and will also be under general anesthetic, with the possibility of an overnight stay at Sick Kids, depending on how well he handles it.

My computer is currently at the shop getting fixed (again) so I am not sure when I will be able to post an update. Hopefully I can sneak away some time on Thursday to give a quick update.

Please pray that the heart cath will give the cardiologists the desired information in preparation for Tyson's next open heart surgery. Please also pray that God will grant us His peace and keep us calm in the days, hours, and minutes leading up to the procedure. It's always so difficult letting go of Tyson and letting them take him from my arms. Hopefully things go well, and they don't find anything too pressing that needs immediate repair, so that he can be in my arms again soon.

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