Pacemaker Implantation

Eli was on a 24-hour heart monitor recently. It verified what was already assumed: his heart's electrical system isn't functioning properly. His heart's chambers are out of sync with each other, making his already compromised heart much less efficient than it should be. In addition, his heart rate is always much lower than it should be, dangerously low at night. Typically, kids at his age should have a heart rate averaging 120-160 bpm, but he averages about 80 bpm and only reached 110bpm when extremely angry. In very heavy sleep, his heart rate will even fall into the mid 50 beats per minute area.

Wednesday, Eli is having a pacemaker installed. This is a permanent alteration, and will be with him the rest of his life. It will help synchronize his heart's chambers and bring his heart rate to a safer level.

We're expecting a 2-night stay at Children's Hospital, and hopefully back home by the end of the week, should everything go well. We'll share more details as we know them. Please continue to pray as faithfully as you always have.