Waiting, waiting.... and more waiting

Today was a LOOOOONG day at the cardiologist office.

What we DO know:
Diagnosis (Luke and Connor): "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (non-obstructive)" (google it)
Mine and Randy's echocardiograms are normal- no apparent hypertrophic cardiomyopathies based on what the eye can see. Genetic testing would be the only way to rule it out completely, as it can be asymptomatic.
We will be taking the kids back to cardiologist every few months at this point to monitor progression.
Connor will undergo genetic screening (blood test) to determine cause of the cardiomyopathy. Takes several months to get results.
Holter monitor results(what they wore for 24 hrs. to determine if arythmia present during daily activity):normal
Connor stress test: abnormal (so, no competitive sports right now- will do stress tests periodically to monitor for changes)
No suggested treatment until we get results of genetic testing

What we DO NOT know:
What is causing the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and status of its' progression
Whether Blake and Morgan's hearts look the same as the other two children (echo's scheduled for next wk)

Still alot of questions looming for us. At this point, he first thing Dr. McKenna wants to have us do is a simple blood test on Connor that will start the process of genetic testing. Until we get those results, which will take a few months, he will monitor the children closely. So we will wait...

The kids daily life and activities will not change drastically. No competitive sports until we know better what we are dealing with. Dr. McKenna is being very thorough and conservative in his diagnosing/ treatment of the kids which we are very grateful for. He literally spent hours with our family today going over all of the test results and answering our questions. We don't understand it all, but feel like he has been very straightforward and is taking a wise approach. He is an answer to prayers.

We covet your prayers and ask that you continue to lift our family up to our most gracious and loving Father. He made us all "precious in His sight" and we know He has a mighty plan for our lives and this is part of that plan. Nothing takes Him by surprise and there is never a moment where He is not in full control and we rest in that. He is faithful and TRUE.

 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 (HCSB)