24 weeks

I wanted to update you all on Luke and the latest news we've gotten about his heart. We had our follow-up appointment with the pediatric cardiologist on Tuesday and he was able to see things he couldn't see last time, and it looks like we're dealing with a different defect than we originally thought a month ago.

Last month, Luke was diagnosed with atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), which is basically a "hole in the heart". Of congenital heart defects, this is a fairly common one. Now that the heart is getting bigger, they saw something a bit different this time around on the echocardiogram. They now think the problem with Luke's heart is in the ventricles. His left is considered dominant and right one is really small and not functioning the way it should be. I wish I could explain it better medically, but it's fairly rare and more complex than the original diagnosis. The GREAT news is that our doctor is confident this defect is isolated and not affecting anything else in Luke's development. This kind of defect takes us out of the risk category for other chromosomal issues (like Down Syndrome). The harder news to take was that we originally thought with the AVSD that it was a one-surgery fix. They now think this kind of defect will take at least 2, maybe 3 surgeries to fix. And because this defect is so much less common, there are still some uncertainties. They were faily sure before that Luke would be able to wait until he was 4-6 months old before they did the surgery. Our doc still feels fairly confident that Luke will be able to wait and not have to have surgery earlier than that, but he can't guarantee that. He also still thinks I'll be able to deliver normally with the midwives at St. Joe's, but again, we'll know a lot more at 28 and 32 weeks. So, we again are in the waiting game.

I am so thankful that we know the Lord. I am so thankful for my husband, who I can't imagine going through this without. I also am so thankful that God promises a good plan for our lives, and that in everything to those who believe, He works for the good. We are holding tight to that and trust that God has little Luke in the palm of His hands!

We are also holding on to our doctor's words that although we're in a different boat than a month ago, he doesn't think it's a worse boat. And to be out of the down syndrome scare is a huge blessing.

During the echocardiogram, at one point you could see Luke on his back, with his legs straight up, one leg crossed over the other, just hangin' out. He was saying, "I'm doing great in here guys! What's the big worry?" I think we will learn much about child-like faith in the months to come!

I love you all and would ask for prayers 1) for a miracle, that God would completely heal Luke's heart, that there would be no evidence of any defect and 2) strength and peace for Rog and me ... we are feeling strong, but there are definitely times when the worry/anxiety/panic creep in and 3) For God to be glorified in this situation!