Hi All, a quick update.

When we last spoke, it looked like Will was headed toward 1 of 2 likely near-term outcomes...either implanting a heart pump-assist device or a heart transplant.   While it's highly likely one or both of those things are still in Will's future, for now they are going to try to get his heart working sufficiently well via drug therapy.  So all of your good thoughts, wishes and prayers have had some good effect this week.  Thank you!

The left ventricle of Will's heart is still not working well.  However, as part of the series of tests and evaluations he underwent in prepping for possible major surgery, they did a test on the right side of Will's heart.  And it seems to us they may have been surprised as how well those results came in.  So while the left side of the heart isn't performing well, the "results" in the right side are good enough that the doctors hope that drug therapy can help restore enough pumping performance to put off any major surgeries for some amount of time.  All TBD.

The drug therapy will take a few months to tell if it's working, and will be a process of regular visits and check-ups as they add in the various drugs and adjust doses to hopefully get the desired results.

For now Will is able to be an outpatient and has  temporarily moved back in with Mom & Dad in South Minneapolis.  He has to wear a "life vest" which is a wearable defibrillator.  This is a 24/7 deal to shock his heart back into proper action if it detects an arrhythmia or something like that.  It looks a lot like a hiking backpack with paddles in the upper back and left side area and a number of electrodes.  He also has a sort of  mini computer he'll wear full-time which is the actual device that communicates with Will and provides the shock if necessary.

As mentioned, he will be having regular, weekly+ visits and check-ups, cardiac rehab therapy etc.  So he will be busy with that. 

Our understanding is the cardiac care team gets together on Friday's to review patient cases.  So later today or next week Will may hear more news about how the doctors feel about his status after that meeting.  For now, this is what we know.

As for his parents, we are very happy to have a pool boy (wish we had a pool) to fetch us drinks and snacks.  And the discharge information said he could not mow the lawn or be in other situations that may cause vibrations on the life vest, they didn't say anything about not being able to clean the bathroom. Whoopie!

Thanks again for all of your well-wishes and prayers.  While they are for Will's health benefit, we ALL feel your support and are grateful for it.