Little Child, Big Miracle

There is currently only one thing keeping us from going home!

Ivy can not drink and now it is becoming difficult for her to eat wet foods too. If it's not dry and crunchy, she cries when she tries to eat.

She had a test done yesterday where they put a flashlight down her nose and throat. They did this bedside and our precious girl lay there as still as a rock and waited. I am so proud of the incredible patience and tolerance of this little girl! She is just amazing!

What they discovered was a damaged vocal chord on her left side. It opens and stays open, thus allowing fluid, food, air to leak and cause her to aspirate.

So today at 1:30 pm she is having surgery. She will be ventilated and she will be sedated. This makes me so sad, but this is the ticket to getting out of here. They will inject a foam that will fill the opening. The hope is that it will fill the gap while it heals and allow Ivy to swallow and breathe without pain or aspiration. 

And if all goes well, we hope to be home by the end of next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im secretly hoping for midweek!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss my home!!! And I want to see my baby girl blossom with her family!!!!

We have had a wonderful week! We've had many visitors and Ivy made a new friend who is also from China. (Her brother is from the same orphanage as Ivy!) They were here for a cath and we were blessed with a new friendship! On the eve of my birthday a very large and special package arrived from my mom. My mom sent my sister to Boston!!!! She will be with me until Saturday morning! What a huge blessing!!! Thank you mom!

We are finding a little more of Ivy's joy every day!

 She has been showered with packages and special deliveries every day! We can not thank you enough for helping to make every day more tolerable. The delivery people know her by name now. 

 Thank you for all the beautiful edible arrangement (no card so we don't know who to thank), flowers, balloons, stuffed animals, cards, chocolates, Ivy Joy necklace, trinkets, stickers, snacks, care packages and fun things!!!!

Ivy in her Joy shirt!!

We have been here for 2 open heart surgeries, an earthquake, a hurricane and now snow!!! We are ready to go home!!!! 

 Having the freedom to walk around the hospital, go to lunch together, explore a little, is the best medicine for Ivy!

What One days mail looks like!

Is this not the sweetest thing??? We love all the kids who are praying and thinking about Ivy across the globe. Wouldn't a reunion be amazing??? A planned meet and greet when Ivy is well!! A chance to hug and thank all of you! And a chance for all of you to see sweetness in person? Thats my dream :)

Ha, her hand looks a bit HUGE in this picture but I had to post it since she was snuggling mommy in it :)

By faith, I will look forward to telling you all tonight that she is OFF the vent, had NO problem waking up from sedation, and IS drinking without aspirating!!!!  

Love you all!!!!!