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Transposition of the Greater Arteries. TGA. My first grandson was born with this about two weeks ago with this. First of all, I'll report that we have been very blessed thru this event with the miracle of the initial diagnosis at a smaller hospital where he was born, smaller compared to where we have been for the last two weeks, all the way up to having his corrective surgery done by what we can see so far, is one of the best surgeons ever to do the job, and financial blessings to help us thru expenses that we obviously haven't planned for. And he is well on his way to a full recovery and it's looking like he will be home for Christmas, putting a warm fuzzy in my heart as the radio played that song on the way to the office this morning.

The point to this thread, have any of you heard about this and/or had a child with this? Or maybe knows someone who has? It was new to us and we have been told that it's more common that you realize.

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Basically, what this is, a normal person blood circulates in a figure 8, with the heart in the center. His was like he had two separate circulatory systems. The blood the goes to the lungs, returns to the lungs, and the blood that goes to the body returns to the body. It would have been fatal if it were not discovered when it was. I'll be doing alot of knee mail over that fact alone.

chaikwa

Knee mail...

Please excuse me for laughing, but that is great!

Now let me say how glad I am that you've been blessed in so many ways; the hospital that found the problem, the hospital that corrected the problem, the talented surgeon, the financial ability, EVERYTHING! You are a lucky family indeed and you have the right to feel warm and fuzzy!

Christmas takes on a whole new meaning sometimes, doesn't it?

And yes, I have heard of this, just not all that familiar with it personally.

Hvytrkmech

Congratulations on the first grandson. This is more common than you would think, death is not long after birth improperly diagnosed. A very astute nurse caught a skin color problem then pulmonary stats way out of whack.

You have been Blessed with a very Merry Christmas, I am tearfully happy for you.

God Bless

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He actually didn't have a skin color issue yet. Looking at him, we would have never guessed anything was wrong. He was only about 3 hours old and the nursery nurse heard a different sound in his heart and blood flow and called it to the attention of someone above her. Then the whirlwind began. I have read where it is called blue baby something because babies essentially run out of oxygen and turn blue.

If anyone is interested, my Facebook is public so some family and friends of friends can easily follow the process. If you look, please be respectful of my page, as it is open to the public. Charlie Zapalac

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He also had a hole between the two lower chambers and a very narrow spot in his aorta. That may have been the different sound she heard. And agreed, we have been blessed beyond anything imaginable with him.

Totallyrad

First off, what a blessing to have the great level of medical care that was available to your family. The Lord truly has a plan for that child! I thought I recognized the diagnoses, also known as "Blue Baby Syndrome" which includes several conditions along with Transposition of the great vessels. I recently watched a movie about the 2 great men that took on the two challenges that led to the surgical successes you just witnessed. The first challenge was to reproduce the condition in a dog. Once they managed to do that, they worked out the surgical procedure to reverse it. Here's a quote from wikipedia that explains it a little more.


Here's the wiki link to the above quote. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpo..._great_vessels

Here's the link to the wiki page about the movie. The movie is called "Something the Lord made". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Something_the_Lord_Made

I truly enjoyed the movie just for the content. This technique was pioneered 50 years ago and was on the cutting edge of medicine at the time. The miracle is still as amazing today! Having seen this first hand I feel certain the movie would keep you on the edge of your seat. Here's another quote from wiki.

Shorts

Congrats on the little one and what a bundle he must be. Give that nurse a good hug. Sounds like the entire process went as well as the situation could have. Times such as these that we feel so small yet so loved to have been lucky enough to receive. By grace for sure. Take care.

cincydiesel

How scary that must have been. I would've been a hysterical mess! Thoughts and prayers are with you and the little one.

Bark

Congrats on the grandson. I had never heard of TGA and am happy for you and your family that things are working out so well for everyone.
I have a grandson due on Feb 2nd. It has to be done cesarean due to some complications that are minor compaired to TGA.
Hope he makes it home for Christmas.

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During our drive between the Austin hospital and the Dallas hospital, my wife and I had a brief discussion about what we might say to our son and dil if he didn't make it. Today, he was released from the hospital. He and mom and dad will stay in Dallas with him till he has a follow up visit Thursday morning, and he will come home that evening. Now, I'm baby sitting him at our Ronald McDonald room, while I chat happy thoughts with my wife via Facebook. If ya'll don't mind me saying, I give all the credit to God. He healed him using a lot of willing and compassionate people with amazing knowledge and technology. He provided us with the means to see him thru it, and He also used us to comfort some new parents walking into the waiting rooms faced with similar things we were facing.

Shorts

Are yall in DFW? If you need anything around here let me know. I'm over in Grapevine.

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We're a few blocks from the hospital. 35E and Medical District. This RM House is cool. People volunteer to provide and cook all your meals. I'm heading home tomorrow. her mom will be here and theres no need for them to even go outside. Everything is provided. Even fully stocked laundry room that don't need quarters. I'll be stuffing change and dollar in those boxes on the counters while waiting on my Big Mac from now on. But thanks for the offer

Shorts

Sounds like there is a very good support structure in place. Thsnk goodness. Families can focus on what's important instead of running around trying to do random tasks.

Have a good night with the family.

Hvytrkmech

Very happy to hear this great news.

I know how precious my grand daughter is to me, your experience brings an entirely new meaning to the word precious with you relationship with your grandson. They are the essence of our lives.


God Bless.