*To answer your question, Laura - I think that the main difference between Rachel's heart and other right isomerism cases, is the aorta. Usually it has two branches - one main branch carries blood to the body and the other carries blood to the lungs. In her case, the aorta is one branch with tiny arteries leading off of the aorta. (plus it is not in the usual position)
First, what a normal heart looks like....
And now, here's Rachel's heart:
You can see a few notes we jotted down later - as well as a food stain - we carried it around alot in those early days to help us explain her heart's anatomy to people.
dave and kendra - i just caught up with your last four or five posts . . . again, it has caused many tears but i see God's hand at work in so many of the pieces and i know you do too . . . the picture of rachel's heart is remarkable - i find it somewhat miraculous that God has created our bodies so amazingly that even with such abnormalities, rachel is alive and has been able to experience joy and delight and the love of her family and friends. remarkable!
ReplyDeleteWow....the drawing leaves me speechless. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteKendra!
ReplyDeletethanks so much for sending the pictures. I have tried over the last two days downloading right atrial isomerism and trying to compare the heart pictures that it gave me and compare it to Rachel's heart. I have felt confused and unsure of what I am really looking at. What is the main difference between Rachel's heart and other RAI?
No matter the difference, I am a bit in awe this. It is amazing how her body has made 'it's own paths' to allow her to function like she does.
okay thanks for sharing again!
wish i was closer to bring you guys regular meals...
take care,
Laura