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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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