Oh goodness so much to update you all on.  My last update talked about how Isla needed a stent due to narrowing of the artery (common after transplant).  Well, we have been able to avoid that so far since during her last couple of caths the narrowing wasn't affecting her pressures or blood flow.  As of now it just continues to be something that we monitor.  Her caths have continued to show no rejection and all of her blood work is looking fantastic!

Isla has been getting stronger and goes to cardiac rehab twice a week.  She still has a long way to go to build up her endurance as her body just isn't use to being active.  In addition to cardiac rehab she is also going to weekly therapy appointments. We were so blessed that a long-time friend of mine who just so happens to be a therapist was meeting with Isla while I continued to find the right fit for her locally. She really looks forward to her conversations with Ms. J while mom hangs out and works in the lobby.

On Friday Isla ate in the school cafeteria for the first time since transplant. She has been too nervous about germs to eat there so she has just been eating in the media center with some friends. School in general has been a bit of a challenge all year between illness, medical appointments, nurse visits.... girl just doesn't feel like she can get her footing.  It's also not any fun to do homework and play catch up at home, but we're working on it! 

Unfortunately we've had a few occasions where we needed to call the on-call cardiologist. The first time she had a slight fever accompanied by a cough (which she has literally had on and off since January), so they just prescribed her antibiotics over the phone.  Last Friday she again had a fever of 101.7 and was very lethargic. Seriously, the girl could barely function.  Well, that ended up getting us admitted to the hospital for the weekend for IV fluids (was struggling with low BPs) and IV antibiotics and a diagnosis of Rhinovirus. We were hoping we were in the clear, but her cough continued to linger and again yesterday evening she had the chills and was lethargic. I took her temp and it was 103. Again this resulted in a trip to the Emergency Department and ultimately getting admitted.  Her BP is holding strong this time around so no IV fluids, but we're back on a new course of IV antibiotics. 

Here's what we know so far (5pm on Saturday): 

• She's still testing positive for Rhinovirus/Enterovirus
• Doctors think she also has walking pneumonia
• Her White Blood Cell count is very low / too low and inhibiting her body from fighting things off --- so there will likely be a med adjustment
• We are still waiting for a variety of other blood work to come back
• She is on another course of IV antibiotics that will keeps us here for 24 to 48 hours, but also likely go home with an oral antibiotic this time

There are only a few more weeks of school, and we're praying that Isla can finish out the year without any more major events.  Isla takes school very seriously, but if I'm being honest, I'm just calling 7th grade a wash. This kid has had so much adversity this year I need her to prioritize her health first and school second. As long as she's ready to go back in the fall and kick ass as an 8th grader I think we'll be just fine. 

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support. We'll keep taking all of it for as long as you're willing to give it.  I'll try to get better at more frequent and quick updates to keep you informed on how Isla is doing. 

And I'll leave you with a funny Isla-ism.

Just a bit ago I was heating up some leftover pasta for Isla to eat. I dropped a noodle and said, "oops, Isla we had a noodle casualty."  And without missing a beat she bowed her head and said, "Rest in peace." The nurse who was in here at the time cracked up! She's pretty much just been sleeping and eating today, but girl still doesn't miss a beat!