Cardiology Appointment -- 10 Days After Surgery

Levi had a very limited cardiology appointment yesterday. 

Levi's chest x-rays were clear and he had no problem holding still for them. Yay!

Unfortunately they were unable to get an EKG done because Levi was absolutely terrified, screaming and kicking, and wouldn't let anyone attach the twelve leads to his torso, let alone calmly hold still for the test itself. We tried lots of tricks, but nothing would work. He's just so incredibly afraid.  

No echo was necessary at this appointment, but the next two appointments will both include an echo.

Levi needed the sutures at his two chest tube sites removed as well as two sutures which were accidentally left in his neck where his central line was located. Again, he was terrified and it took four adults to hold him still while the nurse removed them. He screamed and cried the whole time. Poor guy. Last night I noticed that one of the chest tube sites had reopened, so I'm keeping a close eye on it.  I'm hoping it scabs over and heals uneventfully.

The doctor prescribed Ativan, a drug that should decrease his anxiety a little, so we'll try that for the next appointment.  It's in the same category as Versed, which he's had before and has a hard time coming out of, but I don't know how else we're ever going to get an EKG done in the near future.  So we'll try it even though it's not ideal.  Hopefully it works.

Day 10 - morning before cardiology appointment

The cardiologist doesn't think Levi's chest incision is infected, so that's very good news. She has also never seen an incision look like Levi's with all of it's redness and tiny spreading raised bumps. It appears to be contact dermatitis in reaction to the glue and she recommended just leaving it alone and said it should resolve in time. She said he can take some Benadryl for the itching, but doesn't recommend a steroid cream because it might hinder the healing.

I also sent more recent pictures of the incision to a doctor at Stanford yesterday and she agreed that it looks like contact dermatitis. I just want to make sure this is what it is so it can be avoided in the future.  

Levi's energy level seems pretty close to normal and he looks and acts like himself, other than the fear of being touched. He's generally happy and was even joking around with me a little bit ago.  "Mommy.  Guess what?..... That's what!!"  And he laughed and laughed. :) Marbles, blocks, and Hot Wheels are this morning's toys of choice, with the Frozen soundtrack playing in the background. It should be a good, low-key day.

Levi's next cardiology appointments are April 10 and May 1.