What a whirlwind week we have had...at least the second half of the week. Wednesday morning, we were scheduled to take Asher to his routine 2 week doctor's appointment. Due to the fact that he had not given us any reason to believe other wise. We were expecting a quick trip, in & out, and to be back home to conclude our first week at home with Asher. Following the normal routine of increased weight & length (10 lbs. 12 ozs. 23 1/4") and the check of the eyes, ears, legs, etc. his doctor concludes the check-up by listening to his heart. She listens, listens some more, and listens some more. She then informs us his heart is beating too fast (over 200 bpm). She asks for an EKG immediately and enlightens a somewhat surprised mom and dad he has SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia). If you are like us, you are wondering what in the world is that?? Without getting into too much human anatomy (if you are curious, call Allyson), the condition causes the heart rate to increase...unannounced or provoked. The increased rate is something babies can handle for an extended period of time unlike adults who wouldn't make it for prolonged periods of an increased rate.
After a few failed attempts (aka home remedies) to get the heart to convert back to normal rhythm and an inconclusive EKG, she told us they had called for an ambulance to take him to the hospital. And so, in a matter of 15 minutes, we went from returning home with a baby that was growing to watching him with tear-filled eyes being loaded into the back of an ambulance battling within against fears of the unknown. Allyson rode with him for his first ambulance ride. Mark hurried along a few minutes behind. Both of us spent the ride up praying for our little boy and calling on friends to pray as well.
Having hooked him up with leads that were reading his heart-rate, Asher's heart was hoovering around 280. As I walked into the treatment room (filled with 5 nurses along with Allyson at the time), they were working on getting an i.v. started. After 5 or 6 failed pokes in the arm and hand, they finally got a winner in his hand. However, they weren't satisfied with it, so they sunk another line behind his left ear. As you can imagine, Asher did not enjoy any of that. As we are waiting on the doctor to arrive, one of the nurses shared with us what to expect with the immediate required treatment. She told us they would shoot a drug into his system that will cause him to flat-line for a second. The jolt to the heart would then hopefully cause it resume normal rhythm. Wow. Not something that's easy to hear. Doctor finally arrived a couple hours after we had arrived and the room filled with 10 nurses (most of them specialists in the different systems of the body) due to the invasiveness and risk of the drug. First attempt, nothing. The nature of the drug required a precise attempt, so both attempts, the doctor would make sure everyone was on the same page and then give a ready, set, go kind of deal. Second attempt with increased dosage worked. There was not a flat-line in the sense Asher went limp, but it slowed way down and then picked back up to normal rate. Mom and dad breathed a sigh of relief after a pretty intense 3 hours!
Well, with this post getting long, I'll try to limit the details over the next couple of days. We found ourselves once again in a 12x12 room living hour to hour and being present for each other and Asher. He had an episode (increased heart rate over 250 bpm) for 45 minutes the first night. The next day he had an episode for 1 hour 40 minutes. That night he had a 30 minute episode. Each time, he was able to convert back on his own with the help of adjusted medication. The doctor never seemed concerned about the prognosis and was always a source of relief whenever we talked with him day-to-day. Asher had a good day and night yesterday and we returned to a cold, snow/ice filled 'real' world this morning. We'll take it!
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On Wednesday, a 15 minute doctor visit turned into a 3 day hospital stay. It was not what we were thinking or hoping would happen, but it did. In the midst of anxiety and concern for our son, there were so many blessings. Here are a few...
After a few failed attempts (aka home remedies) to get the heart to convert back to normal rhythm and an inconclusive EKG, she told us they had called for an ambulance to take him to the hospital. And so, in a matter of 15 minutes, we went from returning home with a baby that was growing to watching him with tear-filled eyes being loaded into the back of an ambulance battling within against fears of the unknown. Allyson rode with him for his first ambulance ride. Mark hurried along a few minutes behind. Both of us spent the ride up praying for our little boy and calling on friends to pray as well.
Having hooked him up with leads that were reading his heart-rate, Asher's heart was hoovering around 280. As I walked into the treatment room (filled with 5 nurses along with Allyson at the time), they were working on getting an i.v. started. After 5 or 6 failed pokes in the arm and hand, they finally got a winner in his hand. However, they weren't satisfied with it, so they sunk another line behind his left ear. As you can imagine, Asher did not enjoy any of that. As we are waiting on the doctor to arrive, one of the nurses shared with us what to expect with the immediate required treatment. She told us they would shoot a drug into his system that will cause him to flat-line for a second. The jolt to the heart would then hopefully cause it resume normal rhythm. Wow. Not something that's easy to hear. Doctor finally arrived a couple hours after we had arrived and the room filled with 10 nurses (most of them specialists in the different systems of the body) due to the invasiveness and risk of the drug. First attempt, nothing. The nature of the drug required a precise attempt, so both attempts, the doctor would make sure everyone was on the same page and then give a ready, set, go kind of deal. Second attempt with increased dosage worked. There was not a flat-line in the sense Asher went limp, but it slowed way down and then picked back up to normal rate. Mom and dad breathed a sigh of relief after a pretty intense 3 hours!
Well, with this post getting long, I'll try to limit the details over the next couple of days. We found ourselves once again in a 12x12 room living hour to hour and being present for each other and Asher. He had an episode (increased heart rate over 250 bpm) for 45 minutes the first night. The next day he had an episode for 1 hour 40 minutes. That night he had a 30 minute episode. Each time, he was able to convert back on his own with the help of adjusted medication. The doctor never seemed concerned about the prognosis and was always a source of relief whenever we talked with him day-to-day. Asher had a good day and night yesterday and we returned to a cold, snow/ice filled 'real' world this morning. We'll take it!
On Wednesday, a 15 minute doctor visit turned into a 3 day hospital stay. It was not what we were thinking or hoping would happen, but it did. In the midst of anxiety and concern for our son, there were so many blessings. Here are a few...- Asher. He fills us with so much joy! Even with wires and machines hooked up to him, we can't stop staring at him. Every day, our love for him grows and he is such a wonderful gift.
- Asher had no side effects from the condition before the doctor's visit. We were blessed to have the appointment when we did.
- The support we received through prayers, texts, visits, calls, facebook, and so on from friends and family was overwhelming. It is so great to be surrounded (close and far) by so many who care for us. Believe me when I say we thank God every day for you!
- The doctor at the hospital was tremendous. So calm and confident that Asher was going to be fine. Going the extra mile to call and check in on his day off (which may not be that uncommon, but very much appreciated).
- The nurses were great. We got so many compliments about how adorable Asher is. They were super...to the point of making (it was very much needed) Allyson and I let them take Asher for a few hours out of the room to the nurse's station the second night so we could get some rest (once again, may not be uncommon, but very appreciated).
- God blessed us with laughter! Allyson and I have gotten the giggles quite often since Asher has been born in ways we never have in our relationship. It may be due to the lack of sleep, but it's been fun laughing at each other and different things that probably wouldn't be funny to anybody else. It's a blessing for sure!
- SVT. Nobody wants to end up in the hospital with their kid...especially with a heart condition. But we were encouraged when the doctor said if we had to pick a heart condition, this would be the one. It could have been so many different things Asher was battling...so many more difficult battles and more serious. The medication and process we will live out the upcoming months are small compared to so many other parents and kids. We are blessed...and he is worth every bit of it!
Many more details and stories could be added, but I'll leave you with some humor. First a picture or how Allyson and I have been resting the past 3 nights. 
Well, resting was the goal...as you can see, there was not a lot of room. Secondly, a story. A nurse came in yesterday morning and said, "She is a doll." I replied, "We think he is too." She asked, "How old is he, 4 months?" Too which I smiled and said, "16 days." That's our boy!!
We love you all! Thanks again for your kind words and prayers!
A glad-to-be-home Mark, Allyson, and Asher
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