Ava Updates

Hi Everyone - Keep Posted Here - Updates Will Be Added to the Bottom - Please Keep Those Thoughts and Prayers Coming!

If you can help - we have added more information on the Chip-In page: http://babyavamedicalbills.chipin.com/baby-avas-medical-bills

Please forward that link along - as you will read, Baby Ava needs help to stay at UGA.

They have Baby Ava in isolation because they can't figure out what she has yet.  They have started her on a very strong antibiotic and fluids. They are concerned that she will become septic. Preliminary tests only show an overgrowth of bacteria in her body. Low estimate is $1,000 and high is $1,500 for battery of tests and treatment.

We will fight as long as she can.

10 pm update - Molly is home and Baby Ava is at UGA. They will be calling in the am with an update.

October 11 -

AM Update: Baby Ava has been rushed to emergency surgery.  Part of her intestine has turned inside out. It is unknown if any of the intestine is still viable at this point. If so, a portion will be removed and the healthy tissue will be repaired. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.  

11 AM Update: Hospital just called - it took a while to get her stabilized but she is now under anesthesia and they are ready to operate.


Evening Update: Ava awake and alert - still in ICU with oxygen support because she threw up under anesthesia and they want to make sure that her lungs are OK.


October 12 Updates:

AM: Baby Ava remains in intensive care but is a little stronger this morning.  She continues to refuse to eat.  The hospital staff is in love with her.  Still waiting on any test results and more information. 


Did not want to post the PM update pending more info from Molly but will now: UGA just called - Ava taken a very bad turn for the worst - back into emergency surgery. I told them I didn't want her to suffer but that if they could save her to try.



October 13

This morning: They called Molly at 2 am to say she survived the surgery but they had to remove much more of her intestinal tract. They swabbed her abdomen to send to the lab to try to identify what is attacking her but I don't honestly know if she can hold on much longer. 


Morning Update: UGA just called - she is in critical condition - has had plasma and now a blood transfusion - is on pain meds - they have specialists looking at her


Evening Update:  She is still alive - still critical - but fighting with everything she has. Thank you for your comments, thoughts and prayers. 


October 14: 

Morning Update: She is still with us! She is still critical but this morning she kissed the

surgeon!   They say it is the first and only kiss she has given - I know she 
knows that the surgeon saved her life.

She has a central port in so that they can continue to give her fluids and do 
blood draws without having to continually stick her - her electrolyte balances 
are still off but they are working to correct those as well as monitoring her 
blood pressure very closely.

She ate overnite and again this morning - they keep reminding me of how critical 
she is and that we are by no means out of the woods but this little girl has 
such a fight in her to live there is no way we could ever stop supporting her in 
that fight and we have to believe that she is going to win.

 

Evening update: Ava remains in critical care.  Her protein and red blood cell levels remain low but her electrolyte levels are beginning to look a little better.   She was on her feet again this afternoon and that is a good thing.  She remains on supportive care and is evaluated hourly. She is still fighting!


10-16
Evening update: Baby Ava continues to hold her own.  She remains in critical condition but was taken out yesterday for a little exercise.  Baby Ava even wanted to chase a dog that walked by her! She will be evaluated Sunday and the doctors will make a decision on when she might be able to come home, if she is still doing well.   Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated! 

10-17
Evening Update: Baby Ava continues to improve and is eating 1/4 of a can of puppy food at each meal.  She felt well enough to chew through her IV line today so she is now on oral meds. only.  A decision has not yet been made on when she will be able to come home but we hope to hear more tomorrow.  

10-18 WELCOME HOME BABY AVA UPDATE!

Baby Ava comes home!    She was released from UGA late this afternoon and is now home!   She is on "crate" rest for a whole week but is acting like a little puppy.   She weighs 4lb. 6 oz - a good 4 lbs. below the smallest litter mate but she is eating well and will catch up in no time.

It is a miracle that she is alive - Dr. Sakals, her surgeon is holding her in the photo.    I think she gave all of us a lot of sleepless nights but she fought hard to live and had the wonderful team at UGA behind her.  The other woman in the photo is Monica who is a Senior Veterinary Student that called me with daily updates and had to withstand my daily lists of questions.   Many, many thanks to all of the staff at UGA that spent time holding, loving and cuddling Baby Ava through what were some dark days.

There are no words for the gratefulness of Southern Cross for the many, many prayers and love and help and donations sent Ava's way.   I am convinced that she had to feel the outpouring of positive energy that was constantly sent her way.   

We will keep her updates coming!

 

October 21 - Baby Ava had a little downswing after she got home, but thankfully you all kept your good thoughts coming and today we can post this:

Just got back from the Vet for her weekly B12 injection - she is a squealer and 
I also needed a weight on her .............5 lb 12 oz!   up from 4 lb. 6 oz just 
two days ago!    YAY!

Poopies are nice and firm with the addition of the Kefir to her diet and the 
e-collar was removed!     My Vet is amazed - he told me no one expected her to 
live!    With all of the positive energy sent her way I knew she would fight to 
live!

Yay!   Yay!   Yay!
Thank you, thank you thank you!!!!

 

Thank you to all who have donated and forwarded - please keep forwarding and posting - GI surgery is very expensive, but SCGSDR is committed to this baby.  
Thank you all again.

If you can donate - we have added more information on the Chip In page: http://babyavamedicalbills.chipin.com/baby-avas-medical-bills

Donations:

Jean A.

Judy L.

Deva D. x 2

Jenifer M. 

Johanna U.

James H.

Kim D.

Elizabeth T.
Vicky M. 
Ginny P.
Jamie R.  
Bianca A. 
Angela R. 
Holly J. 
Mary Lou M. 
Benjamin K. 
Erin M.
Dana B. 
Mary Jane P. 
Kris S. 
Fan & John A. 
Charlene S. 
Debra R.
Diane D.

Please let us know if we've missed your name - every donation,  forward, post, thought, and prayer is appreciated.