Birthday
July 20, 2011

Contacts
Email Luke's Mum Rosalind

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Medical:
Coarctation of the Aorta; VSD.

Luke's story

Luke's parents are very dear friends of ours and have been supporters of 2hearts from its beginning in 2002. Their son was home for a week and apparently doing well until without warning his Mum noticed he had gone a strange colour. An urgent visit to the Doctor turned their lives up-side down as Luke was rushed first to one hospital, then to the Main hospital in Belfast. There he was diagnosed as requiring immediate surgery. But that surgery could only be performed in Birmingham, England. Luke was airlifted to the hospital there and quickly given life-saving open heart surgery to correct coartation of the aorta and a hole in his heart.

He is now home, recovering well and putting on weight. Please pray for this family as they adjust to the challenges they face.

December 7th 2011

Luke had his review in his local hospital and the Medical staff are very pleased with his progress. It is quite amazing to see what God has done for Luke and his family. His Mum Rosalind looks back on that day when Luke suddenly became ill and writes: "The first Consultant we saw when I carried Luke into Accident and Emergency Department in my arms had spent 2 years in Birmingham PICU. (The hospital in England to which Luke was flown for emergency surgery) God had us in good hands from the very beginning. The Consultant knew right away what Luke needed and where he needed to be. What are the chances?? None - God was looking after us and we didn't even know."

October 11, 2011

Luke had a big appointment at the main hospital in Belfast for heart babies and has had a fantastic report. ECG and ECHO show a good recovery and repair and he is now off two medications. He will not be reviewed there again for 6 months. This is really wonderful news and the family want you to know how very grateful they are for all your love and support.

October 6, 2011

Luke continues to progress. The threat of SVTs is still real and at times it appears he is going into one but he then comes out of it. He returns to the Royal Victoria Hoapital in Belfast next week for all the big tests. Pray that he will cope with the demands of that day and continue to make progress.

September 12,2011

Luke saw doctors at the Belfast hospital today aand they are very pleased with his progress. He is gaining weight and growing. Thanks for all your prayers.

September 1, 2011

Thank you for all your love and prayers for Luke. He is settled back home and has returned to birth weight. His family are totally exhausted but so pleased to be home. Naturally they are anxious and afraid, but are very grateful for all you support. We give thanks to God for his mercies and we pray on for Luke and his family.

A Birmingham, England newspaper published an article about Luke which you might like to read. It also contains a photo. read

Aug 22, 2011

I have just received the most wonderful news. Luke has put on weight again and continues to heal. In fact if the Consultant Neurologist is happy and a heart x-ray reveals no issues and he has no more SVTs, then he will be allowed home on Wednesday - exactly 4 weeks since he was taken ill. He still has challenges ahead but this is just the news the family have been waiting for.

Please continue to pray for this wee life and for his Mum and Dad and brother Joshua (3). The days ahead will be most challenging for them all as they adapt to having a "heart" baby at home.

They want me to thank you for all your prayers for them. The will be forever grateful to you and of course to Almighty God for His mercy and grace.

With much love

David

Aug 17, 2011
The great news is that Luke has been airlifted back to a Belfast Hospital. There they will manage his wound infection etc. This is a tremendous step forward and brings them closer to family support. They are deeply grateful for all your prayers.
David

Aug 13, 2011

Thank you for your prayers for Luke. I have not updated recently but we are encouraged by his progress. All tubes have been removed. He has a wound infection. Still a little concern about the way he rolls his eyes. Possibly another brain scan next week. His heart drug is working, his rhythms have settled with less SVTs and his family are less anxious than before. In fact today they have been told that a decision will be taken on Monday about a return to the Royal Hospital, Belfast next week. The doctors are keen to see him put on weight.

His Mum says that they are so thankful that God has brought him this far and she is so grateful to everyone who has prayed for Luke and for them. They know they have a long road ahead but are trusting in the Lord to guide them along each step. God bless you for all your support.

David

Aug 8, 2011
On the whole, Luke had a good weekend but has had several supra-ventricular Tachycardias including one this morning. His heart rate is normally rather high and they have been told that he may always suffer from a higher than normal heart rate. But with these spikes his rate can reach over 200 bmp and his blood pressure rises. The Doctors were slightly concerned at his eyes flickering and staring but they have just done a brain scan to be sure he has not developed a problem and initial assessment is very positive.

Luke received donor tissue to stretch the aortic arch so this is a reminder to us that another family are grieving a loss while we pray for the life of little Luke. We leave him again in the Lord's hands and pray that His will be done. God bless you for sharing this path with me and my friends.

Sincerely
David

My heart and my flesh may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Aug 5, 2011

Despite Luke having some difficulties last night requiring extra nursing, he has had a great day. One week after surgery his tubes etc have been removed and his Mum has been able to feed him again for the first since he took ill. He is alert and inquisitive. Everyone around him is greatly encouraged. We pray he will continue to make good progress. Thank you so much for all your love and support.
David

Aug 4, 2011

I want to thank you for all your prayers for Luke and all your encouragement to me. I have some good news. Yesterday Luke's Mummy was able to hold him for the first time in a week. He is still a very sick baby but improving and it is expected that today he will be moved from ICT to the cardiac ward. God has been gracious in giving this encouragement and we pray it may please Him to continue to heal this little boy. Thank you again for your love and prayers.

Aug 2, 2011

Today Luke's ventilator was removed and he seemed to be doing well. However in the last few minutes the family phoned to say that he is having difficulties. His pace maker has had to be re-connecter (or whatever they do). One doctor described him as like someone running a marathon who was terribly exhausted. Some mention was made of lactic acid.

Anyhow, I would value your prayers for him and his family. So many of you will know the upset of the death of a baby in the same ward as your child. That happened today - another child from Northern Ireland. So it is understandable that Luke's Mum is rather fragile today.

I value your prayers too as I try to support these dear friends through this from so far away and with such limited understanding of what exactly is happening. Pray that I will know wisdom. If any of you want to share advice or help me better understand what is happening I would be very grateful.

I leave him in the hands of a sovereign loving God whose way is always perfect. He used so many gifted people in the outworking of His purposes. And He uses you as you pray with us. God bless you for your support to me and to my friends through these days.

I am still trusting God that He will give me the privilege of having a dedication service for Luke in the not too distant future as I did for his brother Joshua three years ago.

In Him who has the whole world in His hands - and you and me too.

David