In order to address a frequently asked question, the next few installments will feature a condensed history about Virginia and her heart defects. Even though the story has been abridged, it’s still a bit longer than your standard Reader’s Digest Version.
When I was pregnant with Virginia, the obstetrician recommended a routine ultrasound be done at 20 weeks gestation. I hadn’t had one with my first child, and asked why one needed to be done. He said that our insurance had relaxed its policy regarding the “medical need” for a routine ultrasound and now classified it like the other tests pregnant women are offered. I figured it could hurt and scheduled it for a day my husband Mike could be there.
We showed up for the ultrasound as if it were any other office visit. It was exciting to see the baby moving around. Then the ultrasound tech started measuring something intensely and stopped laughing with us. She excused herself from the room. We wondered what it could mean…the tech returned with the OB doctor who began taking measurements, too. He explained that there appeared to be something wrong with the heart, but that sometimes ultrasound machines displayed incorrect results. He suggested we see a pediatric cardiologist who specialized in fetal echocardiography.
I went to the appointment with the specialist one morning and went back to work afterwards. It was handy for me, as I worked “down the hall” from their office. About an hour later, a nurse from the OB office called and asked if I could walk over to their office and bring my husband, too. We were having some sort of celebration lunch at work right then, so I asked if we could come over in a couple of hours. The nurse put me on hold and the OB got on the phone. He said it was “very important” that we both come to him office right away, as a pediatric cardiologist was there to talk with us.
Hopefully this web site will allow Virginia's information and updates to flow smoothly. =)
Virginia has been scheduled to have surgery on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. Dr. Roger Mee will be her surgeon. Virginia must be at the hospital the day before for a pre-surgery workup, and will have to stay in the Cleveland area for five to seven days after surgery for follow-ups.
