What Does A Miracle Look Like?

Today I witnessed a miracle.  It is not the first and I know it won't be the last.

Today Sam had his heart review.  This involves a general check up, and ECG, an echo and a chat with Sam's cardiologist.  Sam and I drove the 2 hours to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and the GPS took us straight through the centre of town!  Eeeek!  We made it, but this is not the miracle.

Sam has all of his tests and check up and then we waited to see his doctor.  In between we had the opportunity to talk with a few families, watch the meerkats in their enclosure and chase the fish around the giant aquarium.

You may remember last time that Sam had some unwelcome news about the leaking valve in his heart.  Read more here.

On seeing Sam's doctor we also had two young student doctors present, and Sam spent a great deal of time monopolising their attention.  They checked him all over (which he loved), and then we discussed Sam's heart with his doctor.

Dr Pflaumer listened to Sam's chest and few times and then he turned to his students and asked them what they would do if the clinical signs (the sounds from Sam's chest) do not line up with what the echo is showing?  They replied that they had always been taught to go on the clinical signs, but take the echo into account.  They discussed it back and forth.  He then went on to tell them that Sam's chest has the faintest of murmers and this does not reflect what he sees on the echo.  He went on to explain to me that taking both into account he believes that there may be just be a bit more turbulence in the area, but it is not a true reflection of the regurgitation of his valve.  I asked:

Does that mean that the leaking is no worse?

No it is not worse, in fact I don't think it is that bad at all.  But we definitely do not need to do anything at this stage.  His oxygen saturations are still in the early 80's, he is well and growing.  I mean look at him. 

He continues to look for a moment.

So I guess we will see you again in another 6 months and talk about doing a catheter then.

Ok then.  That sounds great to me.  (My insides waiting to burst with excitement)

Sam and I walked out with giant grins on our faces, bubbling with laughter.

What does a miracle look like?  It is seeing a doctors face in wonder, pondering the results of tests that just don't line up.  It is knowing without a shadow of a doubt that the leaky valve was subdued to allow no harm to Sam and his growth.  It is knowing that the next 6 months are not going to be spent in and out of hospital, but doing all of the fun things that three year old boys do. 

Will you praise God with me?!  Will you thank him for Sam's healing and mercy?  You may ask why he doesn't heal his heart completely.  I don't have an answer for you.  You will have to ask God yourself.  I am content in the knowledge that he loves Sam and hears my prayers.  That he holds us all and let's no harm come to us outside of his plan.  And in the meantime we will continue to walk this path of life in abundance that God has given us.