Leslee was recently trying to count how many heart caths Ela has had since she’s been born. We’re not quite up to 20 but we’re getting close.

It also doesn’t matter how many times we get the “cath” talk, we always get a little squirmy when they talk about the potential of heart damage or the possibility of things going south and having to do a major surgery. Thanks again for praying for her.

It’s a bit ironic but Ela is actually very excited about this “special nap” because we have been telling her that we will have a better idea as to when she can go home afterwards. She’s been perky and happy this morning.

We also want to send a couple thank you’s out. Thank you to Melissa Hyatt and Faith Christian Academy for wearing red for Ela today. Your love and support is very touching.

Thanks also to Ela’s piano teacher Missy Rickman. Ela was not able to have her planned recital down in Martinsburg but the music therapy team caught wind of this and decided to let Ela have a little recital in the play room with a few friends. She wore a dress and did a curtsy after her songs and everything. How did she do, you wonder? She rocked it, and that’s because she has a great piano teacher.

During this cath, her team will: 1) get biopsies to have a clearer picture regarding her rejection, 2) they will pull out her neck catheter, 3) they will be placing a port. We haven’t talked a whole lot about this port but we’re thinking it is something that will minimize the pain she experiences when she comes to the hospital. Lately, blood draws have been really hard for her…IV’s have also been quite traumatizing and our understanding is that her veins are also becoming more difficult to access. This port will allow for the docs to draw blood and give meds and the discomfort (after having healed from the procedure) sounds like will be minimal.

She just went back to the OR. We’ll give a quick update later when she wakes up.