Peter - Carepage - September 8th, 2008

IT IS A MIRACLE!!!

Ever reached one of those times where you really needed a sign? Well, John and I had both been feeling restless - the need for some clarity. It started Sunday with Alexandra and Michael having to Altar Serve the 7:30am Mass. Rather than wake all the little ones after a late night with my parents - we left them home with Granny and Grandaddy (aka Grandpapito). John and I honestly can't remember the last time we got to really enjoy Mass as a couple not worrying about kids going wild in the pews. The readings were poignant and the homily inspiring - we had a gee-wiz moment. In the evening we prayed the Rosary - and during one of the readings it talked about praying to Mary to intercede for us on our wordly needs. Well, I prayed about evey Hail Mary asking for Peter's healing.

Today we had Peter's cardiologist appointment and a miracle was delivered! For the very first time in Peter's short life his pulmonary pressures were NORMAL.....yes - NORMAL!! The nice echo technician was keeping a poker face, but she knows by now that I ask questions. Half way through the echo-cardiagram I asked her what Peter's pressures were and she said 22. I could not believe my ears....I said "you've got to be kidding me!"....to which she responded "No...I was so surprised myself I've measured them 4 times to make sure they were right!". It took every ounce of self control to not fall to the floor in tears - tears of joy! I could barely contain myself as I choked up and a few tears ran down my cheek. Truly - once again - when we mosted needed it God provided a miracle of healing for our little angel on earth. It seems every miracle Peter has received over his life has been after a true heart felt prayer to our Mother asking for her intercession.

(Peter during his echo)


(Peter during his EKG)




WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU PETER!!

After the echo we headed over to the other side of the office to see Dr. Duster. He came in and first words out of his mouth where "what have you done?" He was thrilled but honestly just as surprised at how healthy Peter is compared to prior visits. Just to put it in perspective - before Peter's heart surgery his pulmonary pressures were in the upper 90's on a good day, and over 100 and something on a bad day. After the surgery he dropped into the 80's and a few weeks later he was mid 40's to 50. And he stayed there and stayed there and stayed there. Given the altitude we live in, they accept 35 as the upper most end of "normal" but healthy normal is in the 20's. And that is where we were even with Peter being off of oxygen for an hour or more. His saturations were a little lower than hoped but at 93% much better than what we've encountered before.

So next steps - after lots of prayers of thanksgiving! - we lowered Peter from 1/2 liter to 1/4 liter of oxygen. We are to measure his sats at home and may be able to bring him down to 1/8 liter. We are scheduling an appointment to get him up to The Children's Hospital in Denver to see the pulmonologist again. He needs to get Peter's lungs x-rayed and possible adjust the treatment plan from that perspective. Our goal is to get Peter's sats to be 96-98%. We go back and see Dr. Duster (cardiology) in January. If at that time Peter's holding good sats and his pulmonary pressures are still normal (on room air) we will be able to take Peter off oxygen during the day - and leave him on it at night. Then give him some time to adjust to that. Once that is stable, we will likely move him completely off of oxygen...so honestly a sensible step down program! He said with other kids they can do that progress in weeks, but with Peter we want to take our time to ensure the success. WOW! There are not enough words to express how in awe and relieved and happy and proud and everything else I am today!!

My parents were with me during this visit. They met Dr. Duster about this time last year. During that visit I cried the whole way home - desperate and frustrated because the news wasn't getting better and the prognosis seemed so dismal. And today, we drove home and once again I had tears - but tears of joy at the gift of this miracle. Our Peter Bear - our little angel and walking testament to the love of God!!

Please - offer up a little prayer of thanksgiving for us - Lord knows we've showered him with requests for healing - we should swamp Him with prayers of thanksgiving!!

Love to all!
catherine

Peter enjoying time with Grandpapito & Granny!