Cath Lab, Take 2

In July, Eli failed his heart cath. Blood pressure was too high in his lungs. The plan of action was to give Eli a chance to "grow out of it." We were told to expect 3-6 months after the failed cath lab before we tested again. 2 weeks ago, his cardiologist used an echocardiogram (advanced ultrasound) to get a rough idea of how his lungs might be progressing, in regard to the high blood pressure. While not nearly as accurate as a full cath lab excursion, the echo still offers decent insight. After the echo, our cardiologist informed us Eli's numbers were indeed moving in the right direction.

Our cardiologist is the ultimate pessimist. He has a habit of immediately jumping to ultimate terrible possibilities, and doesn't seem to be able to acknowledge the optimistic. As an example, we once told him that we were running a HEPA filter 24/7, and he replied by offering that even HEPA filters aren't proven to be anything more than marketing. I wanted to suggest that if he would lick the dirty filter we brought to the next visit, I'd believe him. But, I held my smart mouth. When Eli had issues with unstable body temperatures, he immediately jumped to possible spinal tap testing, while every other medical professional showed little concern. When he saw the amount of diuretic Eli was receiving, he warned us it could cause deafness. As we spoke with other medical professionals, we were told this is true, given in ultra high doses via IV, but we should have no worries with his dose, and taken orally.

Now, we don't intend to villify our cardiologist. We just had to help define the lenses through which he looks. So, when he came to us today after studying Eli's echo more closely, we recognized for him to define his numbers as "encouraging" to be an extremely positive thing. So... what now? He wants to do another cath lab in less than 2 weeks.

Wait. What?! Like... 2 weeks?! Not February, but October? As our heads spun and we were caught by the headlights. We were made aware of just how unprepared we are for this.

There are a couple additional factors to this decision. Primarily, we'd also like to stay in front of any chest cold or flu. Since either of these could ultimately create a very short end to Eli's life, our cardiologist feels Eli's echo numbers look good enough to test now, and dodge handling the viruses floating around this winter in his current state. We get the impression it's a little "seat of your pants" and the window of opportunity may be narrow, so it all helps define testing now as a risk worth taking.

Should Eli's lungs again show to be insufficient, we understand our cardiologist's next step to be compassionate care. We take Eli home, and make him comfortable for as long as we have him. We trust that clearly defines the importance of passing this test... in two weeks.

We are obviously heavily distressed. We have one last chance at a live-or-die test in two weeks. We feel so inadequate when we realize it takes something this severe to bring us to our knees in prayer, but that's the reality. It's easy enough to continue to pray, but we become comfortable and complacent with our circumstances and forget to plead to God, with everything we have, for Eli's health and continued life.

That's where we are now. Can you please receive the full severity of Eli's condition, and every time you remember, join us in begging God for Eli to be able to grow into a little boy, an adolescent, a young man and into full maturity as his life continues to glorify God for many years?

Matthew 7:7,8. ⁷"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

John 14:13. ^13"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."

Matthew 21:22. ²²"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Jeremiah 29:11-13. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Since before Eli was born, we've prayed for a miracle the doctors couldn't explain. This remains our prayer.