Week 10 - The Decline

This week Zachary has officially declared himself to be a "heart baby". Up until the last few weeks, he has only needed mild doses of several medications to alieviate the stress on his heart and lungs. This week he definitely took a turn for the worse. He would get fussy and then his heart rate and blood pressure would skyrocket while his blood oxygen saturation would plummet. This Thursday and Friday were the roughest days of his journey so far. 

Several of the doctors were sure Zachary would not make it to the scheduled surgery date of next Thursday. Since those doctors don't hold that life is sacred and worth fighting for, our conversations with them are now stressful. How much can we trust them if all they want to do is give Zachary to hospice? (Not all of his 20+ doctors are this way, just two have been disheartening.)

Then one of the respiration therapists brought in a machine that incorporates helium into his air supply. When someone inhales helium from a balloon, they sound funny when they talk. That is because helium is lighter than room air and so it travels faster past his vocal cords. For Zachary, this is allowing the helium and oxygen mixture to get deeper into his lungs and allow him to breathe easier. 

He made a 180 degree difference. He is doing better and is now stable on this machine. We are not out of the woods yet. We still have to make it until Thursday for the surgery. (The doctors also gave additional heart medications to assist Zachary's goofy anatomy.)

On Friday afternoon, we asked to speak to the cardiologist on call. It was our favorite one. He has the same worldview as us and is willing to move mountains to help us. He was such a needed relief that only God can get the credit for this.  

Tonight Zachary is continuing to deteriorate slowly. He is breathing good enough that if he keeps this up, he will have a better chance of making it to the surgery. 

We have been praying thru this whole time that God will shut all the other doors so that the only door left is the one that is best. Whether Zachary stays on the earth, or he doesn't; blessed be the name of The Lord.