Official Diagnosis

After meeting with Dr. Sherman Sorensen yesterday I got the diagnosis of ASD (Atrial Septal Defects)
During fetal development, the upper chambers of the heart (atria) divide into right and left sides. In some, the closure is incomplete leaving a "hole in the heart". This hole or defect in the atrial divider (septum) is an Atrial Septal Defect or ASD. Since pressure in the right side of the heart is lower than the left side, blood can flow from the lungs directly through the ASD back to the right heart; re-circulation through the lungs again and again. This abnormal recycling of blood through the lungs is called "shunting". The amount of blood flowing (or shunting) through the lungs may be many times more than the blood flow to the rest of the body.

Shunting is an extra blood volume to the right side of the heart which can cause an overload of the heart. This overload can cause enlargement of the heart, abnormal heart rhythm, congestive heart failure, and injury to the arteries of the lungs. Increased pressure in the right side of the heart may reverse the direction of the shunt. Used blood without oxygen may dilute blood with oxygen levels in the body. Since the filtering function of the lungs is bypassed, stroke or brain abscess may occur if clots or bacteria cross the ASD into the left side of the heart.

Not all headaches are migraine headache and it is sometimes difficult to decide. A classic migraine headache is a primary headache (not due to stroke or tumor) which is usually one sided, throbbing, severe, and usually comes with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, or motion sensitivity.

I had this test done ~ Trans-Cranial Doppler (TCD) is a new test which measures brain artery blood flow by using safe ultrasound echo probes placed on the surface of both sides of the head. If microscopic bubbles injected through an IV shunt past the lungs to the left heart, TCD detects and counts each bubble as it appears in the brain arteries. TCD is not only the most sensitive way to diagnosis right-to-left shunt, it is the best way to quantify shunt.

For more information: http://sorensenmd.com/index.php

Here is more information about the procedure: http://www.amplatzer.com/products/asd_devices/tabid/179/default.aspx

So Slow

Afton went to Young Women's girls camp today. She is there through the week. How will we survive without our Affie? She was so excited to go.
All three kids will be going with Grandma to Montana on Sunday. They are going for their bi-summerly visit. Brendan is very excited.
My nephew Andrew is getting married next week. I'm glad it's not my child getting married. That's one thing I am not sure I will be ready for when it does happen.
Afton ended her 7th grade year with her first year book and some mediocre grades. She did well and tried hard, but it is sure an adjustment from Elementary School. She will be at Lehi Jr. High again for her 8th grade year. Michael will begin his last year at Elementary school with the excitement of Brendan being at the same school, but in Kindergarten. Big step, and he is more than ready for it.
I am working again, same field, but this time closer to home in Provo. It is a great small firm where I seem to be fitting in nicely.
Wayne is still working in Mona and dreads the drive every day.