CT Scan Prelim Results

Originally posted May 22, 2009

I know I just wrote a note yesterday, but this morning we got some pretty important information on Luke's condition, wanted to share it with you all so you can continue to pray specifically.
First thing this morning Luke had to go down for a CT scan. David and I were not allowed to go with him, so we arrived at the hospital just after he had returned to his room. Not long after that the neonatologist came to share with us the preliminary results of the CT scan after talking with the radiologist.
Luke has been having so much trouble breathing because he's operating on 2/3 of one lung. The CT scan showed that one of his lungs and the apex portion of his other lung never even inflated because his heart is so large that it is displacing all of the other thoracic organs. This is very serious indeed. We will know a lot more after the radiologist has her full report completed, but this is what it looks like. The good news is that it appears that all of the anatomy that Luke needs to breathe is present, just displaced - pushed out of the way. The neonatologist told us that he plans to do some tricks with Luke's ventilator settings to see if he can push back on the heart with air and try to inflate Luke's lung. Doc seems pretty confident that this is possible. If not, the surgeons can probably inflate it surgically when they go in for Luke's first heart surgery. If that can't even happen, the doc explained that Luke can live a fairly normal life on just two thirds of one lung. He won't be playing contact sports, but he shouldn't need a ventialtor long term either.
On Mondays here at Medical City, all of the cardio and thoracic surgeons meet together for a conference to talk about thier cases. Luke's case will be presented at this Monday's cofnerence, so we will have lots of doctors putting their heads together to come up with the best plan for Luke's treatment.
David and are scared at this news, but somewhat relieved that at least we know the probable reason why Luke is not breathing well. Last night was a bad one for little Luke - they needed his oxygen up to the 70's % and he still needed a breathing treatment. He's doing a little better today, and the doc said that Luke tolerated the field trip to the CT scan much better than he expected. What a champ!
So we need to pray that Luke's lung inflates. Somehow - with ventilator support, surgically, or supernaturally. I don't care. I just want my little boy to be able to breathe.
To leave on a postive note, after Luke's field trip this morning he was awake for a good 20 minutes or so. He was looking around, showing us his beautiful blue eyes, and following Mama and Daddy around the room with his eyes. This is the longest we've seen him awake in his 11 days with us. What a gift!

Thanks for praying. More later.
Blessings,
Rachael & David