Update

Ivy's had a couple of echo exams now to see how well the antibiotics are doing against the vegetation in her heart. It sounds like the doctors are sure that it is not a blood-clot, but bacteria that has attached to her valve. It seems as though there was some debate today among the cardiologists about whether it had improved or not. One said that there had been a small reduction, while the other said that the possibility of the vegetation getting smaller was inconclusive. They both agreed that it had not gotten worse. Right now we're waiting on that to go away before they can do anything about the pacemaker. Looks like it will be a long stint in the hospital again.

An Unexpected Turn

Ivy's condition has gotten a bit complicated.  Since she's been here, the cardiologists have been trying to rule out infection in any other area(s) outside the pacemaker. French performed an echocardiogram and found nothing abnormal in the heart. Thank "the Flying Spaghetti Monster" the doctors at Children's decided redo the echo because they found something troubling. Ivy has something, either a blood-clot or a small colony  of bacteria near one of the valves of her heart. Right now they are giving her a blood thinner in case it's blood, and the antibiotics are obviously continuing which could get rid of it if it's bacteria. Thursday they'll do another echo to see if the problem is receding. If these two methods don't work though, they will have to go in and remove it surgically.

Ivy looks better though, and she's sleeping better.

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Edit: Her echo has been postponed to friday.

Back at Children's Hospital

Ivy was taken back to Children's on Monday so she could be under the care of her cardiologist. Well, it's more like a team of cardiologists. They're taking out the infected pacemaker next Tuesday.  The antibiotics have kicked in, so she's feeling better.  She was really talkative yesterday, partially from the reduced fever, but also I think because she's nervous about everything that's going on.  Whatever it is, she's been cracking us up!

Hellova Girl

Hi Ivy. I was just thinking about you. All day really. I'm glad I got to see you before you left. I love you. Be stong(er) and tough(er). Think good thoughts. You're a hellova girl. We'll all see you in a few weeks, or less, and pick up right where we left off. Later gater......Kim

UPDATE ON IVY'S CONDITION

This morning the doctor confirmed that the staph infection is the same one Ivy has been battling. This is the fourth time it has reared its ugly head. She is now being treated and when the bacteria is gone from her blood, which will take three or four days of negative cultures, there will be a decision to be made. Either leave Ivy on strong antibiotics for the rest of her life or take the pacemaker/defibrillator out because that is where the bacteria is hiding. Each time a course of antibiotics has been run, it protects itself with a layer of a "slim like gel". When the antibiotics are gone it is then free to run a muck. Ivy completely understood this explanation saying "Oh I learned that in Miss McCartney's class. We investigated the slim, I know what the doctor was talking about." She had no questions for him.

That's where we are now, so if you have 5 minutes to stop by and say hi, she would love it I am sure. And.....don't forget to give her a hug. The staph is not the scary MRSA bacteria...we are not in quarantine.

Melinda ....still trying hard to keep singing "....don't worry....bout a thing....cause every little thing's gonna be all right...."

SENDING OUT AN SOS

After a week of high fever and two trips to the dr and one to the ER at French.........French called us saying that Ivy needed to be admitted to the hospital. Please come by and see her when you have time. She is in need of positive visits and a whole lotta love and hugs...
thanks for your continued support.
Melinda

Latest Dance

A couple of weeks ago, Ivy and I followed Unfinished Business to a Santa Maria Gala Fund-raiser for Orcutt Children's Art Foundation. Very fancy event....after the live auction it was announced that ...."we have already raised over $33,000 and this doesn't even include the silent auction or the dinner sales"

We even got to sit at the table with the band which pleased Ivy very much. The pictures were taken by a band member's wife. Thanks Karen!!!!


Ivy spent one dance being twirled around in a huge circle by a very good wheelchair dancer. He even had her doing wheelies. The rest of the dancers smiled at them, giving them plenty of room. Ivy laughed so hard that the dance really wiped her out. She had to sit out the next several songs before she could limp back out on the dance floor again.

We are impatiently awaiting April 4th, the next event which is a benefit for MS in Arroyo Grande. For details visit unfinished-business.org.

Come and dance with us.
Melinda

PROGRESS

Ivy's first successful attempt to stand up from a sitting position, using the ball to balance herself. Linda, her therapist is sitting next to her while Kirsten, a Cal Poly student stabilizes the ball.

Now she is beginning to stand "by her lonesome" as she calls it.

Linda barely helps out.















LOOK NO HANDS!!!!!!















Ivy is now standing on her "lonesome" for 10-15 minutes at a time. She usually stands up from her wheelchair with no assistance. This all depends, of course on the time of day and how much she has already worked her muscles. She made the comment after her therapies last Tuesday that her muscles were sore, just like they used to be after a good workout at the gym. She was sooooooo pleased.

Last Tuesday saw a really big jump in achievements. Ivy also touched her mouth with her left arm stretched. This was a first since last July!

We are so pleased with and absolutely adore our therapists. Ivy has lower body, Physical Therapy (PT) three times a week and upper body, Occupational Therapy (OT) twice a week.

Thank you so much California Children's Services (CCS).

Melinda ....who still makes poor Ivy listen to "......every little thing's gonna be all right...." at least a half dozen times a day while driving in the car.

Ivy is such a good sport...she's not complaining....well...... not too much anyway.

San Luis Obispo City Council Meeting

Ivy spoke at the City Council Meeting Tuesday tonight. Apparently there is the possibility that funds are to be reallocated and she wanted to show support for the police and fire departments by telling her story.

First, Frank started out with a short blip of what had happened to Ivy, making the point that Ivy was alive and making progress because of the quick response time of SLO City Fire Department Station #3. They were already at the scene administering fluids and CPR when the paramedics arrived. This was less than 4 minutes after the 911 call.

Ivy and I walked up to the podium next and Ivy told the council "I'm Ivy Alvarado from Arroyo Grande. I want to thank the firemen for saving my life". She then chocked up a bit so I emphasized again that the rapid response time enabled her to make the progress she was now making. In fact, today Ivy stood BY HERSELF for 7 minutes. And with that I began to choke up and had to walk away. The entire room, including the council members began to clap.

We had been sitting in the front row next to the podium for a good 45 minutes waiting for the item to come up on the agenda. By now it was 8:00 which is about the time of day that Ivy is wiped out and ready for bed. As we turned to leave, we were astonished. The room was packed with firemen, firewomen and other supporters. Everyone was smiling and thanking Ivy for her message and telling her to keep up the hard work. When we had reached the hall there was a lady standing there whom I recognized but couldn't place her or think of her name. Ivy said..."mom, you don't remember Claire my 6th grade teacher?!" Neither Frank nor I had remembered Claire's name.

Is there any doubt about whose memory works the best?

Melinda....still singing.."....every little thing's gonna be all right..."

PS I am trying to give updates at least once a week, but life is moving so fast. I have pictures to show you of the continued amazing progress Ivy is making. Keep tuning in...happy things are happening...and last night she WIGGLED HER LEFT TOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!