Ela is going into surgery today. We aren’t quite sure when yet but likely sometime in the afternoon.

Although Ela’s inflammatory markers are down, the theory is that the bacteria has concentrated at the abcess site. The plan is to take her to the operating room, look around, and act according to their findings. Their biggest concern is that there may be a tract that has formed from her abcess to her rectum so they need to make sure all the fluids are drained and for the wound to heal properly, not just superficially.

Ela has also been retaining some fluid. This has made her lungs a bit wet, and her oxygen sats lower than usual. Due to her history of early rejection, the team is running all the tests to make sure it isn’t rejection again. She’s already had and ECHO and an EKG so we are hoping the results are positive.

There isn’t much more to say. Thank you for praying. This has, surprisingly, been the most painful hospital stay Ela has had. While she was waiting for her heart before the transplant, the pain was usually limited to pokes. On this stay, she has had to endure many pokes but also the pain associated with her abcess.

I will be going back to Martinsburg tomorrow to be with the boys and get back to work. It looks like Leslee and Ela will be up here for another week…and if that’s the case, they will just stay until the 17th since Ela has an IVIG (procedure to bring her antibodies down) appointment then.