The prognosis...

Well, Ashlyn doesn't have an innocent heart murmer, which is what we were hoping for...but what we got is the next best thing! The Cardiologist thinks she has a Pulmonary Bicuspid Valve (instead of a tricuspid valve like the artwork on the left). They didn't do an ultrasound like I thought they would because they said they really can't get a good reading on kids this age because of the crying and wiggling etc. and it's not worth it to sedate her for it right now. But, they did do an EKG (the electrode things hooked to tape all over her chest, which she absolutely hated) and he listened to her heart pretty long (which she did sit quietly for thankfully). So, based on those two things and his 23 years experience, he's guessing that it's the Pulmonary Bisupid Valve. Instead of hearing a "lub-dub", you hear a "lub-click-dub". Dr. Ward said that of all the heart murmer cases that come to him, this is the most common scenario. He said to live life normally and to bring her back for an ultrasound in 2 or so more years when she can sit quietly throught it. If it does end up being a Pulmonary Bicuspid valve, all it would require is supervision by the Dr. and antiobiotics for certain dental or surgical procedures. It could be an Aortic Bicuspid valve too, but the Dr. doesn't think it is...the aortic one could cause annurisms later on in life. Nathan's dad just had 2 open heart surgeries 2 years ago because he had an annurism from an aortic biscupid valve. But, the Doc says if he was a gamling man, he'd bet on the pulmonary one!! SO...that was the medical dictionary way of saying "EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE!" :) Thanks for listening and you will receive 1 credit hour toward any medical degree!