*OUT OF ORDER*

September 11, 2009

We are here at UCSF. Grace is in for a cardiac cath. What is a cath you ask? You can find some info here. http://www.ucsfhealth.org/childrens/special/c/22362.html
This is Gracie's 7th time in the cath lab. (three during her original stay here at UCSF and four since being discharged.) We expect everything to go smoothly this time but will keep you posted.

Just got a call from the lab while writing this...

Dr. Tanel (pacemaker doc) came to see us, he and nurse Nancy checked Gracie's pacemaker while she was under anaesthetic in the cath lab. He said everything looks about the same as last time; her atrial lead is still fractured (not working), the ventricular lead is still doing all of the work but seems to be holding up fine. At her last visit they re-programmed the pacemaker and this has caused the battery to drain faster. It now looks like she has about a year and a half left on this battery. Changing the battery is a fairly simple surgery but if they decide to change the leads (and it looks like they are leaning in that direction) it will be a open heart surgery. Dr. Tanel said the results from this cath will factor into to the decision. She will need to come back in March to have the pacemaker checked again; so, at that time we should have a plan for her next surgery in place.

We also just learned that Grace is doing fine in the cath lab, they are going to do a "balloon" procedure (angioplasty) which will stretch out the pulmonary artery which should improve her blood flow and her pressures.

More updates and photos soon.