Good Afternoon Friends - It has been a while.

Overall life has been good for Miles.   He has had a couple of hiccups and 1 visit to the ER but overall doing very well.   He is gaining weight, eating well, playing with friends, spending the night with Grandparents, and eating all the candy in the world. 

Today we had a follow up appointment and a few things alarmed us.  We have learned through this that Myocarditis, especially from the flu, is the most severe form.  Scar tissue and heart function recovery varies, and it can take several years to fully recover.   Miles "might" have severe scarring due to his Echo not improving any from his last test (ECHO)  in March.  The plan though is there are options - but options are really only needed if he is showing symptoms of issues (such as dizziness, fainting, low BP, High HR, vomiting, etc).  Miles is living life to the fullest so that is a good sign.  We just ask you to pray for his heart function to improve and his scarring to be minimal. 

The second test for heart failure they look at is his BNP.  Normal BNP is i believe less than 100.  Mid March it was 800 (down from 4000 in february).  Then in his ER visit it was around 1000.  Today it was 3300.  This was shocking to us.   We arent thinking anything normal yet but it was very elevated. 

What to do?  Well we will test it again in 2 weeks and we are adjusting 1 medication to help.  Also things like diet, exercise, sauna use - can lower your BNP number so we will be doing these as well.  Things can spike it like sugars and processed foods.  So we May have to back off on the candy a bit LOL.

We will know more in a couple of weeks - but we ask for prayers for his BNP to lower and for him to have no symptoms to need a visit to the hospital.  

Well - then there is mom and dad and our emotions - WOW- we both process things like this differently.  But this morning i was reading on Faith and how it is unnatural for us to have it.  Believing in something you cant see, following a voice in the dark, stepping forward into the unknown.  Faith is for sure a challenge.  As i read through Hebrews 11 (which i would recommend you do) you can see how GOD IS FAITHFUL.  But also as i look back on Miles journey thus far - GOD IS FAITHFUL.  If we all were to write down the ways God worked in your life, our lives, miles life, the doctors, the answered prayers, the progress, the timing, OUR HANDS WOULD GET TIRED WRITING IT ALL DOWN!!!!  WE SERVE AN AMAZING GOD.  So lets not forget His Faithfulness. 

Although I cannot see what Miles heart is doing physically - GOD CAN.  He gives it every perfect beat and knows what it needs to heal.  Tests and numbers dont surprise our CREATOR.  So I must rest in that.  

Please pray for our family (Miles heart function, BNP,  Jen - She is struggling today,  For My ability to stand firm on HIS word and TRUTH, for Bryce and Jake to just keep plugging along).

We thank you for all of your support through this and thank you for your continued support.  

russell