Biopsy #8 -- Stenting the SVC

Owen is in the cath lab getting his last bi-weekly biopsy... #8 to be exact.   He was so goofy this morning that we decided to skip the Versed pre-med and he was such a rockstar.  No fear.  He walked into the cath lab, up on the table, and let me countdown from 10 as I held the mask and put him under anesthesia.  He is seriously so brave! 

I just got an update from Dr Peng and Owen is done.  She had to place a Stent in his SVC (Superior Vena Cava) because it is looking more narrow than two weeks ago.  His SVC Gradient was 22, normal is about 8.  He should have been having some serious headaches, but I think he is so used to having high Glenn pressures, so he deals with it.  After placing a 9mm stent, his SVC gradient dropped to 8!!  He should be feeling much better!

What does this mean?  It means we will stay in the short stay unit for another few hours so he can get his last dose of Vanco (antibiotic) and we will go home on oral antibiotics.  He will also have to continue his Asprin daily to use as an anticoagulant.  We got a three month break from daily Asprin, but we will add that to his daily meds.  He will outgrow his stent and need another one placed when he gets older.  Nothing we can't handle. ;)

Now he is off to recovery and then we have a long day/night in the SSU full of infusions.  Crossing my fingers I have a bed to sleep in tonight so I can get rest before a long 7 hour drive tomorrow!

.............................................................................................................................................................................

 

Click HERE for a chance to win a set of Monster Headphones!!!
Click HERE to check out our simple family fun with Capri Sun.