Baby Emma Needs Your Prayers

 My friends who have tuned into my twitter stream tonight have heard that my granddaughter. little Emma born April21, has been admitted to the hospital tonight and is in the PICU being treated for a heart rhythm problem.

First signs in Emma's case were: fussiness and not nursing well. Not too worrisome, this progressed to panting and lips turning blue. An emergency run to he hospital was in order.

Initial indications from pediatricians and an echocardiogram are that there is a problem with SVT, but no indication as to the cause. Emma is on IVs, oxygen and is still nursing (thank you God and Kerry, my daughter and Emma's mom)

Speaking of God 

God knows I don't want to become an expert in one more disease! But one takes what's served and my approach is to deal with it.My initial tendency to research is probably stronger than my need for sleep.

Interesting note:

• I was also diagnosed with SVT in my forties and take beta blockers to keep it reasonably controlled
• My 28 year old son was told last week that he was suffering from SVT, perhaps caused by suspected pericarditis. 
• And not to be left out, my husband has an implanted device because during diagnostic surgery a few years ago his SVT was determined to be life threatening.
• Nobody has once mentioned the possibility of anything genetic in all these visits with medical professionals

St Jude Medical has a section on treatment that's somewhat informative I may be doing a lot of reading tonight..I'll tweet updates as I know them

            
       

                  Click here to download this factsheet in PDF form

"Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). SVT is a broad term that includes many forms of arrhythmia originating above the ventricles (supraventricular). SVTs usually cause a burst of rapid heartbeats that begin and end suddenly and can last from seconds to hours. These often start when the electrical impulse from a premature heartbeat begins to circle repeatedly through an extra pathway. SVT may cause your heart to beat 160 to 200 times a minute."  http://www.mayoclinic.com

Comments

[laurak]

Definitely sending prayers for Emma and everyone who loves her.

[BarbaraKB]

Thanks for this update. I have been concerned all day & just now have a moment to pop in online.

[BTW, after I got your tweet last night, I lit a candle for Emma @ http://www.gratefulness.org here:

http://tinyurl.com/4tagqr

Candle lasts for 48 hours.

Again, prayers for Emmma... and the whole family.