Daily Dose: Wednesday, September 2

Hope had a better day today. She has broken her fever!! This is great news. Also, the infectious disease decided that there was no reason for Hope to be in contact isolation (interesting that we have thought this all along) so the gowns and the gloves have gone away... FOREVER!!! Since Hope's fever broke and it appears her infection has been sensitive to most antibiotics, she will need to be on IV meds for 48 hours, but then she can come back HOME!!!!

Hope did have some bad news today though: Hope had a urine dye study. It showed that her urine refluxes into her kidneys, and that isn't supposed to happen. This is mild to moderate on one side and moderate to severe on the other. Hope will be on a low dose of antibiotics at all times as a preemptive measure against recurrent UTIs. If Hope has too many UTIs it could begin to seriously affect her kidney function, which we don't want. If Hope has a few more UTIs she will likely need to have some surgery to correct the problem.

We are soooo thankful that Hope is feeling better, and Hope is very thankful that everyone has temporarily stopped poking and prodding her. We keep praying that Hope continues to get stronger and healthier so she can go home by the end of the week. Yes, you heard correctly, end of the week, THIS week!!!!

Daily Dose, Tuesday June 2

Hope had an highly eventful day today - to say the least.

Early this morning she had an EEG done to measure her brain waves. This came back with the diagnosis of mild to moderate encephalopathy and high risk for seizures, which was consistent with her last EEG in April.

The big news today is that Hope will be leaving Indianapolis early tomorrow morning!!! Hope will be transferring around 7 am to DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Because it appears that mommy and daddy will need to have some help when Hope is able to come home, mommy and daddy will eventually be moving back to Grant, MI where they gew up. In order for Hope to be able to discharge to home in a timely manner it is important that she be in Michigan for at least 5 - 6 weeks to arrange her home nursing, home ventiator, and medical supplies.

Because she will be tranferring, Hope and her parents had to say goodbye to some very close friends. Mommy, daddy, and Hope wish all of the people at Riley the very best. We are grateful for all that you have to done to provide Hope with a happy and healthy future.

Tomorrow we will have Hope's first report from Michigan, her new home.