Some Discussion on Heterotaxy

A few people have inquired about the possibility of Ayden having heterotaxy, so this blog entry is an attempt to ease the panic... I hope.

As Bryan stated in his blog entry, Ayden possibly having heterotaxy does not change the diagnosis for his heart, nor does it mean that his heart is in worse shape than before. As planned, Ayden will still have the three surgeries to help his body function with half of his heart.

Heterotaxy obviously has the potential to affect other organs; however, I have not been left with the impression that the organs most affected would be vital ones. Should he be missing a spleen, he would take medication. Should his appendix be on the wrong side, or should he have more than one, that is information that is good for all to know. The most complicated effect of heterotaxy appears to be that he could have his intestines twisted, but those kinks can be worked out. (Literature students, do you see the pun?) In other words, the heterotaxy could add potential difficulties, but those are the least of our worries when we have an infant up for multiple heart surgeries.

If anything, we are grateful for modern medicine and the care of the doctors. Having the many ultrasounds, etc. allow doctors to know more about our son so that they can better treat him when he is born.