We got results from Evelyn’s latest echo today, and I want to share an honest update.
Her heart function has gotten worse. The main pumping chamber is now very enlarged and only pumping about 10% down from 20% last month, which is extremely low. The right side of her heart is also starting to feel the strain, and the pressures in her heart and lungs have gone up.
One piece of good news, her mechanical valve is working well and isn’t the issue right now. This is about her heart muscle being very tired.
Because of this, they’re adding another IV medication called dopamine on top of the milrinone she’s already on. Both of these medications help support her heart and improve blood flow, but they also mean she needs closer monitoring.
For the next couple of days, she won’t be able to leave the unit, and she’s back on her IV pole again, which is heart breaking to us and Evelyn.
Tomorrow, her entire care team is meeting to talk through next steps if her heart needs more of a mechanical support. That includes discussing mechanical support options like a VAD or ECMO, things that help do the work of the heart if medications aren’t enough.
This is them planning ahead and making sure they’re ready to act quickly if needed.It’s a heavy update, but one I wanted to share.
We’re taking this one step at a time and trusting her team as they guide us through what comes next 
Please pray that our baby girl can make it to transplant without anymore surgeries.
How You Can Help
We’re getting ready for Evelyn’s birthday and the big fundraiser garage sale for COTA for Evelyn’s Heart! Thank you to everyone who has donated items to the garage sale and reached out to help celebrate Evelyn’s birthday! If you want to send a birthday card, visit the Facebook page for instructions on how to get a hold of Kelly.
Garage Sale Details:
June 4-6
Location: 7040 Eagle Trail, Centerville, MN
Time: Thurs. and Fri. 8am to 5pm
Sat. 8am to 12pm
Get your “Hearts for Evelyn” T-Shirt
Join our “Hearts for Evelyn” Facebook Group
What makes our partnership with COTA so great is that they will be with Evelyn throughout her lifetime. Every dollar donated to COTA in honor of Evelyn goes to transplant-related expenses. Thank you for being here with us for Evelyn.