Grey Hairs Galore

Life has a funny way of keeping you on your toes. Just when you get settled in to a routine and feeling good, along comes a curveball.  All of Declan's numbers (hear rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, etc.) have been very consistent yesterday afternoon and through the night. We woke this morning with good news of his overnight stability. Then at about 10:00 this morning his heart rate suddenly spiked to 270bpm. We first thought the machine wasn't picking up the sensors correctly. A different monitor was brought in to confirm the rate - it was correct. Suddenly doctors and nurses poured into the room and began scouring the printouts and discussing possible reasons for the SVT, (very rapid heart rate) Meanwhile, Tammy and I are fighting back tears, wondering if this is it. The doctors kept reassuring us that his other vitals were fine, so he can tolerate it for the time being. I had a million things running through my head.  I kept trying to think, "doctors keep saying par for the course, par for the course" but the stronger voice in my head yelled back, "par for WHAT course?" Tammy and I were frightened beyond what we have ever felt and hope to ever feel. Thankfully, his vitals remained stable during the episode and it was agreed upon by the doctors to give him a medicine used commonly for SVT but that only became effective after the second attempt.   He has been fine since, and the doctors attributed the SVT (so far) to an imbalance in electrolytes because various factors. (I'll spare you the details) They say it can be common for children after a Norwood to have "little" episodes.  If this was a little episode, I pray that he never has a big one.  Our nurse was wonderful - kept such a level head; and I am so grateful for the doctors and social worker who would whisper to us what was going on. On a positive note for the day, one of Declan's monitors came off so we can see more of his cute little face. We love you sweet son, hang in there.