We are back home. First the important stuff: Luke's pulmonary hypertension is unchanged from where it was when he was hospitalized earlier this month. That is good because it hasn't progressed, but it is also a little disappointing that God has not granted us a miracle in our time. We have to remember that He's in control though - not us.
The news from Dr. Grady was optimistic! He thinks Luke has likely had this condition for quite some time. Given that he has no symptoms and mild enlargement of the right side of his heart, he believes his prognosis will likely be measured in years. It remains too early to know for sure, we'll just have to wait and see how his tests turn out over the coming months. He emphasized that Luke is blazing his own trail - there are no children anywhere with his special combination of problems. He will start on an oral medication three times a day which will hopefully slow the progression of the pulmonary hypertension. It is fairly safe, well tolerated, and doesn't require intense monitoring. We will go back to St. Louis in three months for a follow up appointment & another heart echo.
Dr. Grady, Ms. Pegi (his nurse), and the staff at the Cardiology Clinic and Children's Hospital were great. The facilities were amazing - bright, colorful, plenty of windows, etc. Getting around was easy. They even had a two-piece band playing 70's & 80's music in the cafeteria at lunchtime! Luke got to meet Phoebe while waiting for lab work to be done - she's a standard poodle who was making her own hospital rounds. All in all Luke had a great day. He gave Dr. Grady love "taps" (more like karate chops), but wasn't fond of his two needle sticks at the lab. We had to drive for two hours through a snow and ice storm once we left St. Louis, but had no problems getting home. Thanks again for your prayers & support - we appreciate them more than you'll ever know.
