Today marks day four of four good days with Ela. Although, our little one still has a lot going on, she has acted a lot more like herself over the last few days. This is encouraging to see. Princesses is still her thing. We’ve probably watched Moana and Frozen about 10 times each. There has been a lot of giggling and coloring and singing. So we’re all glad that we are having more happy moments.

Here are some concerns. In lay man terms, there are 3 potential scenarios when it comes to recovering transplant patients.

• Scenario 1 is the best case scenario. Here, there are no “positive” antibody numbers. The immune system is so suppressed that we know rejection is not an issue. The new/foreign heart is in no danger from the host body.
• In scenario 2 we have some positive antibody numbers. This scenario is not ideal, yet it is an ok place to be because these antibodies are either not attacking the heart or if they are, they are doing minimal damage to it.
• Scenario 3 is the worse case scenario. In cases like this, the antibodies are elevated, the body is attacking the foreign heart, and it is causing a lot of damage. Which means that sooner than later…the patient will need to be placed back in the transplant list.

We found out a couple of days ago that Ela is in scenario 2…potentially 3. We don’t know which one yet. Before the transplant, the doctors were rather excited about the heart she received. The blood type, the size, the health of the heart, the match…it all looked really well. The antibodies matched to such an extent that the doctors did not expect issues early on the recovery. However, there is no doubt that Ela has really elevated antibodies. In order to deal with this she is having different treatments now and will receive different treatments over the next several months.

Ela has always been a complex case. We wish she weren’t. We love her and want to see her enjoy life like Noah and Josiah…with more common challenges. You know, a scraped knee or a bumped head. But that doesn’t seem to be God’s plan…at least not yet. I know you have been praying faithfully for her and our family. Thank you again.

Please pray that God continues to give wisdom to all the doctors. Post-transplant care seems to be really complex. Also pray for Ela. Pray for less needles, less drugs, pray for stamina…she’s still really weak. We don’t know when she’ll leave the intensive care unit…we think she’s getting close but she still has a bit to go. Pray for God to act on our behalf. If he can rebuke the wind and the sea to calm a storm, He can certainly rebuke Ela’s immune system and keep it from attacking this new heart. Pray for harmony in her body. For stability.

Will write again in a couple of days. Blessings.