Testing improved oxygen levels

Timmy's oxygen levels (sats) have been doing better this last week. We have an oximeter at home that monitors his pulse and oxygen levels all the time, so we can adjust the flow of the oxygen from the concentrator in the living room (or the tanks when we need to go out). We have been maintaining the concentrator around the lowest setting now for the better part of several days. With the accidental removal of the canula yesterday and seeing his oxygen levels stay up, we are running a test today.

The oxygen concentrator has been turned off. For now, the canula is in place in case we need to turn it back on and he is still sleeping, but his oxygen sats are staying where they are supposed to be for him.

What does this mean?

I wish we knew. Timmy's oxygen levels are lower than your average infant because the oxygen rich blood from the lungs mixes with the oxygen drained blood from the rest of the body in his heart. Instead of the blood flowing nicely to the lungs and then to the body, Timmy's blood (blue and red) mix in his heart and some blood that already has oxygen goes back to the lungs, and some blood without fresh oxygen goes back to the rest of the body. So this could mean that there is less mixing of the blood than there has been. (Which could be due to less leakage of a valve, equalized pressures between the halves of the heart, or even the beginning of the miracle we are praying for.) But since the heart is a very complex organ and Timmy is even more complex, we are unsure what it means. Whatever it is, we are praising God that it at least shows that his little body is not having to work as hard as it had been. He is still very alert and plays & smiles regularly. He has also continued to gain weight. We see the cardiologist on Friday and continue to pray that Timmy knocks his socks off in terms of how he is doing and what the heart looks and sounds like.

We know of another heart baby who has not been doing well the past few days. If you would, please pray for Clara Ray and her family. She is probably more complicated than Timmy, and has had at least as many ups and downs as Timmy. I know they would appreciate your prayers.