susan's Guestbook

Welcome (back) fellow Susan and fellow Pennsylvanian! My brother lives very close to you, in Yardley, and had a daughter born with a very rare heart condition. She had surgery at just two weeks old. Since then, they have attended many cardiology appointments just waiting for the news that she would need another procedure. Luckily, my niece and her initial repair have gone way beyond the doctors' original estimate and is now age 30 and she still hasn't needed a subsequent surgery. My point is, the decision about a procedure that will have lifetime consequences probably shouldn't solely be made by anyone in their 20s and never out of frustration.  My brother and sister-in-law would never expect my niece to navigate something like that on her own. 

There have been many advancements in cardiology just in the last decade, I can only imagine the options that will be available for your son during his lifetime.  I'm sure you know that as someone who has followed the research for two decades. 

Beware of surgeons who only want you to buy what they happen to be selling. Unfortunately, medical ethics and patient wellbeing have been superceded by revenue generation. The best thing you and your son can do is get multiple opinions. You'll both know when you've found the surgeon who looks at him as an active 26 year-old with lots of life ahead rather than a number on a balance sheet.

Take your time. Confidence in your choice is everything on game day! Best of luck to you, both!