TYSON MATTHEW KOTTELENBERG

This blog is about our 14 year old son Tyson. Tyson was born with serious complex congenital heart defects, (Hypoplastic Right Ventricle, Tricuspid Atresia, Coarctation of Aorta, Transposed Great Arteries, with VSD and ASD.) In short, the right side of his heart is completely under-developed (he has half a heart,) his main arteries are mixed up, and his aorta is narrow. He has undergone 3 open-heart surgeries and 5 heart catheterization procedures to try to 'repair' his heart. Tyson also has severe narrowing in his pulmonary veins which are causing higher venous pressures. He's still doing AMAZINGLY well all things considered. We entrust our dear son into the hands of God, knowing that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him!

Be Strong and Courageous

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 

Please pray with us and for us today Tyson has to go for his ultrasound on his kidney this afternoon at Sick Kids (of course, where else would we go for these types of things?  Only the best hospital in the world - the place where Tyson's life was saved *more than a few times*.)  

I've been nervous about this for weeks because the kidneys are really is not something I am familiar with at all.  I know so much about the heart but not a whole lot about the kidneys.  The only thing I know about the kidneys and how it relates to the heart is that often kidney failure and pulmonary hypertension are linked together.  I have no idea what type of cyst is on Tyson's kidney and I know that 'so far' he hasn't been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension...but given the high venous pressures in his pulmonary veins I guess that puts him at greater risk for PH.

Just please pray that the cyst is a 'simple cyst' requiring no intervention and pray that it's completely unrelated to his heart. 

Melissa