Long Overdue Parker Update

It has been 7 (yes, 7!) years since Parker's initial diagnosis of PH (Pulmonary Hypertension). It is hard to believe it has been that long. But we are SO incredibly grateful it has been that long!!! When he was first diagnosed, it was hard to imagine this far into the future with the grim prognosis we were given. Thankfully, Parker has done incredibly well over the last 7 years. Even with a few bumps along the way, his health remains very stable.

We saw his cardiologist, Dr. Williams, this week for a routine appointment. He had an echocardiogram which showed good heart function and systemic pulmonary pressures in his lungs. That means his heart is still working great despite the extra strain on it from the PH, and the blood pressure in his lungs is about the same as the blood pressure in his body (the blood pressure in the lungs should only be about a quarter of what it is in the body). In other words, the PH has not progressed, everything remains unchanged since his last check-up--this is what we like to hear. He is also growing, growing, growing. He gained 3 pounds and grew almost an inch since December! He feels good most of the time and I think he would say that his PH doesn't slow him down at all!

He will have his annual right heart catheterization in a few months--one of our least favorite things. This is still the best procedure to see what is really going on inside of Parker's body (the echocardiogram can only give an estimate of the pulmonary pressures). But if the outside is any indication of what's going on in the inside, I think he must be doing OK! We feel so blessed that he is doing so well.