Stella Update

I think we have almost talked to everyone, however for you extended family members who check the blog and haven't heard from us lately, here is a little update about Stella.

We had another echo this week and we were praying for good news...and we got some! Stella's heart showed some new tissue growth that shows potential...by no means are we out of the woods yet, but at least we have potential, right? So we don't have any surgery right now!

Now we just have to get through this crazy flu season without her getting too sick! Her cardiologist told us to be careful about where we take her this winter. Hopefully she is able to get over the flu viruses but there is one (RSV) that is really bad for heart patients to come down with. That is one big reason he didn't want to do surgery and have her in the hospital now through March. Any virus she gets can be bad news. The doctor said to keep her covered, think about where you go, and use antibacterial stuff like crazy. Remember the episode of Seinfeld with the "Bubble Boy"? I wonder if they would let us borrow their bubble for Stella this winter! LOL...only kidding of course. We realize she is going to get sick here and there, but why not try to avoid it, right?

On top of the regular flu and H1N1 vaccines, she also has to get monthly, kind of like booster, shots (Ugh, poor girl. More shots!) so if she does come down with something, specifically RSV, she is hopefully more able to fight it off. The season for this virus is November-March...that is a long time! But we are happy for the good news for now. We have a check up in December and another echo in March where once again we, well they, will be making a decision about the next step.

We are so fortunate to have the babysitter that we have. She is right in Ossian and only has 4-6 kids. For awhile we were considering a daycare...can you imagine the germs she would pick up there?!? Our babysitter is kind of like my mom, clean crazy! She has disinfectant wipes, sanitizes as often as a person can, and has those kids using antibacterial pump all throughout the day. If any kid shows any flu symptoms then she calls to have them picked up right away. Also, I think all of the kids there have either gotten or is getting the regular and H1N1 vaccine. I love how God leads you in the right direction when you are making decisions!!

So I don't know how "out and about" we will get this holiday season. Hopefully we will get to see everyone at least one time or another at some holiday function, but we probably won't make them all for sure. Not that we don't want to see everyone and we don't want you to see Stella...but it seems like a silly risk to take at this time!

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers!! Keep them coming please!!