(Please CLICK HERE for today’s WW Post!)
They put Parker through the whole mother lode of testing yesterday: An Echo, an EKG and a Heart Lung x-ray.
And…….
Parker’s BNP levels (a BNP is a blood test that tells us how hard Parker’s heart is having to work) are down from last month’s 120 to 74. Anything under 100 is considered normal.
Parker is up to 20.5 pounds. He looks great. He was bouncing off the walls of the cardiologist’s office. This is a first ever. The cardiologist was thrilled that he was looking so good and so active and so FAT. Okay, maybe not exactly FAT, but he does have the very beginning of a really teeny and super cute belly roll.
During the echo they were unable to find ANY leakage coming from his Tricuspid valve. The way they measure the level of Pulmonary Hypertension via an echo is to measure how far out blood squirts from the Tricuspid valve. Not the most technical of explanations, but you get the idea. With NO leaking from this valve they were unable to detect ANY abnormal pulmonary pressures for Parker via the echo.
This is fantastic news!
BUT……
And this is a biggie……on the x-ray the right side of Parker’s heart is still enlarged. And on the EKG it still show pulmonary hypertension levels. It won’t be until we see changes in these two area that we will know if the trach is the magic we need or not.
BUT
And this too is important……..it would take much longer than just two months for the muscle on the right side of Parker’s heart to start thinning out. The same with the EKG no longer showing any PH signals. It took almost three years for the right side of Parker’s heart to thicken, it will take longer than two months for it to start thinning out.
SO…….
We are going to be scheduled for a right heart cath procedure before Thanksgiving. A right heart cath is the gold standard for detecting and pin pointing EXACT pulmonary pressures.
And I’m gonna need me a big old never ending bottle of nerve pills for this one folks.
We did get good news from the echo. For that I am grateful. Really grateful.
I’ll be totally honest. I’m greedy. I want more. I want Parker’s PH values to be turned around to the point of it no longer being an issue in our lives. One can live a long life with modest but stable pulmonary pressures. I’ll even take modest but stable. But the long life I am not budging on. It’s non-negotiable. Parker’s fought too hard.
And we simply love him too much.
**ETA** Please don’t think I don’t see the great blessings in yesterday’s visit. We were thrilled to see the positive results in the Echo. That was very encouraging. We even celebrated with pizza last night! We are just trying to be cautiously optimistic . 
that is GOOD news. Its great news. And it will take a little time, but…YAY! Congratulations!
You got some good news!!! Yay – with time I hope things continue on the upside!!
Tammy, I am so happy that you recieved SOME good news!! And you know what? I would be SO GREEDY!!! I am greedy with you!! Parker is a fighter, that is for sure!! But at least their is some good news! And sweet little Parker sounds like he is happy just as a three year old should be! Precious baby. I am still praying and I wont stop!
Love and hugs (and an extra for Parker
)
Amy
Good news- I’ll take it and be thrilled!! Like you said, it’ll take longer than overnight to reverse what has already happened. Bad news would have been NO improvement or worsening. This news is GREAT!! Give yourself permission to enjoy it, OK??
Even with all the ‘buts’ I am so happy for the news!!! And yes my friend, I too am greedy.. I want more for Parker. BUT… I’ll take this as good news today.
Love you bunches!
Twitter: nehimomma
says:
I’m so glad it went well and it looks like he may just be turning the corner.
Your in my prayers – but what wonderful news – I mean the good with the bad right? (((HUGS))) and lots of love and prayers!
There’s a lot of good news in there – that must have been at least a bit of a relief.
Best wishes.
Whew…So glad the BNP levels are down. Keep going, Parker, you’re on the right track!!!!
Thanks for the update. Im so glad to hear you got good news, it must be a huge relief. Praying for the good news to continue.
Don’t think for a second that just because you want more for your son, means you’re not grateful for the progress he has made. By this, I mean, it’s okay to express the deepest desires of your heart and hold out for what you are truly believing for. Parker’s everyday progress is just part of a bigger picture. Just don’t forget, with God all things are possible and He knows the desires of your heart even if you think you’re being greedy God sees it as what it really is…a mother’s love.
I’m taking that good news and dancing happily. I’m also praying greedily for the same “more” that you want…diligently praying.
Gotta go see my Parky fix now.
Yeah!!!! That’s great news. And I’m greedy right along with you. I’m praying for you guys!
Tammy, I am so glad things are looking up. We will continue to prayer for Parker. My dd asks abt him all the time.
Such good news! I’m thrilled!
sorry for the mixed results and that he has to have another cath for more info, but glad to hear the bnp #s are down! yay!
I recently listened to a biblical commentator that suggested that you “expect” the blessings God will give, live your life as if your prayers are going to be answered. Live your life expecting, not “hoping”. You sound like you’re expecting, and that might be a little responsible for you feeling as though you are being selfish and not seeing the “blessings” of the reports yesterday. Realize it is only “part” of the blessing you expect, and that is enough to dampen your spirits just a smidge, but you DID celebrate with pizza!! Keep on smiling, you sound like you have one determined little guy, excuse me, BIG 20.5 pounder!! Great job mommy! Take care, Tanya Harding
“And I’m gonna need me a big old never ending bottle of nerve pills”
I don’t have those, but I do have a big old never ending bottle of nerve prayers opened up for you, and spilling all over the floor!
Yay for Parker! That’s some great news. Now just one step in front of the other and hopefully everything will be as it should be.
So glad you got some positive news. I pray that the future tests will yield great results as well!
Thank you Tammy for letting us into your world. Please check your aol email in-box. I’ve sent you a message.
still sending prayers and why not be greedy about this? i’m greedy for you and Parker, too!
And cautiously optimistic is the BEST way to be! And yet I know your THANKFUL just the same!
Still praying for that squeezably cute baby!
Hugs,
Trina
Great news! I understand being cautiously optimistic. Praise God for good reports, and praise Him for the good reports to come.
love & prayers.
Annie
So many good things! I wish I could upload “calming forces” to you… wait… if I had “calming forces” I would be using them myself!
Good luck!
Your blog was nominated for Alexander’s “This site has Heart award”
Alexander passed away March 16, 2006 from a heart defect. It is now our families goal to make the world a little nicer in his memory.
You’ll find the award attached, we would be honored if you would display it on your blog, simply link it back to us at http://www.alexandersheart.blogspot.com
Please nominate the blogs/websites that YOU think have heart.
Much love, The Evertsen’s
Hmm. guess it didn’t like my html. You can find the award on our site on the sidebar, or else please feel free to email me at alexandersheart@yahoo.com and I’ll send it to you that way!
You were nominated by Stephanie at http://www.aidenwyatt.blogspot.com
Kat