BACKGROUND

As many of you know, Jodie was born with congenital heart defects and had surgery at 10 days and 18 months old. She did ok throughout childhood, but had to be on some medications through high school, then another was added in college. Jodie went on to grad school, and unexpectedly required a valve replacement in 2007. It turned out she was in the early stages of heart failure, but only found out after the procedure. She needed to get a pacemaker since her heart stopped beating on its own, and then a few months later upgraded to a pacemaker/ defibrillator due to low heart function. In 2008, Jodie was told that she would eventually need a heart transplant, and that the doctor predicted it to be necessary within the next 5 years.

In the 12+ years since then, Jodie was upgraded to a bi-ventricular pacemaker/defibrillator which helped her feel better but didn't improve her numbers, had it replaced two more times due to the battery almost running out (normal process), was put on a new medication that helped her feel much better but still didn't improve the numbers. Then in April of 2019 things started to get interesting. Jodie went into an atrial flutter and after 3 weeks, had to be cardioverted (think being shocked with paddles, but more controlled and while under anesthesia) to get her rhythm back to normal. Then over the summer she started feeling more and more tired, and having slightly worse symptoms. Jodie had some tests in August that showed things were worse, and the doctor told us in October that we would need to check back in early 2020 to see how things are. After having those tests, its clear that Jodie needs to have a heart transplant.


WHY DID WE START THIS BLOG?

Jodie and Peter decided to keep this blog for a few reasons. First, as a way to keep our friends and family up to date. Second, as a way to share how we are doing and what we are going through (and potentially what we need). Third, as a way to document this journey.

We have learned that we want the people around us, and those who care about us, to know what is going on, but don't always have the energy to talk about it over and over. We will be sharing was is "on our hearts" as we go through this journey. We welcome you to check in as often as you like. Thoughts and prayers are much appreciated. You are always welcome to reach out individually, but please feel free to leave comments on our posts and we will try to respond to everyone when we can. We are also planning to use this platform to share news when we don't have time or energy to send to everyone.

Some of our posts may be more emotional, and some may be about more mundane things. Once we get to step 4, it could take anywhere between 1 day and a year or more to reach step 5. We have no way to know. As we are in that waiting period, we do know that one of the things that will be helpful to us will be to keep busy - board game nights, movies, etc. If you are nearby, please do reach out. While Jodie can't be doing anything too strenuous right now, we still want to connect with people. If things come up that we need or could use help on, we may post it here, or reach out specifically to those who have let us know they want to help.

Thank you for walking with us through this journey as we share what is on our hearts. Please check back for updates. We will add information as it becomes available and as we go through the process ahead.

God bless,
Jodie & Peter Elliott

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Home again

We got home to NC safe and sound this evening. It was very nice to be able to see folks and be there for Catherine and Travis. It was also really hard in lots of ways. I do think that we did everything we should have. We wore kn95s and fabric masks outside for pictures with the family. We stayed at least 8 feet away from anyone without a mask on, except for the 30 seconds of them taking the photos. Everyone moved away so Peter and I could take a picture without our masks on to be photshopped in. At the ceremony, everyone was masked except for the bride, groom, and pastor. We had on both our kn95s and fabric masks, were away from everyone else, and were seated higher up. We walked in 5 minutes before the ceremony started, and left immediately after, so were only inside for 25 minutes. We did not give anyone a hug that day - which was so hard. It was so great to be there, but really hard to leave. I do think that they took all the precautions you can in this type of situation, with the inherent risk of eating inside. 

It is bitterswwet though, as Chicago just limited gatherings for weddings to 10 people for the next 30 days. That means Shaun and Melanie can't have their wedding as planned. I feel awful for them to be disapointed, but also feel like it is probably a lot safer. I am sad that we won't yet be able to see my family due to covid. I also found out that someone close to me, despite all their precations and using proper PPE in their job, tested positive and is sick with covid. Its scary how, even when you do everything right, there is still a risk. I'm not overly worried, but of course since our bubble just got so much bigger the last few days, I'm going to be nervous for the next 2 weeks and hoping/praying that no one gets sick, and that we didn't catch anything. What is interesting is that I'm not sure, even if covid was not here, if I could have attended something in a goup of 25 at this point post transplant. So I may have needed to be in a mask and not stayed for dinner anyways. 

Back to work tomorrow, but wishing I could take a day off. I have clinic on Tuesday, and we usually get there early, so planning to have the rest of the day be a rest day. Excited to sleep in our own bed tonight, and see the puppy in the morning. Also, Peter's cousin Joe and his wife Angie had a little girl on Friday who is needing a little time in the NICU before she can go home. She is getting better and it isn't too serious, but prayers for Cara-June would be appreciated. Stay safe. Wear your mask. I know this probably sounds hypocritical given our recent trip, but now really is the time to be tightening your social circles, staying home, and being extra careful.
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