Update

Izzy played in the snow for a short while this week!

Since my last post was simply asking for your help with Izzy's Waves (birthday surprise), I thought I'd stop in today to give a short update on Izzy. 

Izzy did end up seeing the new ENT in January. He shared the same concerns that we had with not wanting to put Izzy under anesthesia even though his hospital has the specialists qualified to do so. He was concerned about her ear though and agreed that in ordinary circumstances, she'd need tubes. He cultured her ear, which was still infected, and decided to watch the ear closely. It means driving to Ann Arbor (about an hour) at least once every three months, but it's better than anesthesia.  

At the ENT.

When the ear culture came back, Izzy had another fungal infection so we actually went back to Ann Arbor again for treatment. The first car trip was okay, but the second trip did not go as well. We're hoping that her infection is gone now though and she will not have to go back until April. 

Second trip to the ENT.

If tubes are absolutely needed, the new ENT will figure out a way to do so without anesthesia. He said he has partners who work with adults who could possibly put the tube in without anesthesia, but it would be extremely challenging due to Izzy's minute ear canals. He also suggested he may just put a hole in Izzy's ear himself in his office without a tube to see if that alleviates the problem. None of the solutions are ideal, but they're more options than we had before. For that we're grateful.

Other than ears, Izzy has continued homebound school with her fabulous homebound teacher. She re-watches "Once Upon a Time" (she's finished the series several times over). And she spends time with us. Some days, w get lucky and Izzy has the energy to play a game with us. We've had many times where she was able to concentrate at bedtime to listen to a book as a family. Izzy does spend a lot of time in her beds, but we try to make the moments meaningful.

Zooming with her teacher.

Another zoom school session.

Right now, Izzy is just excited to celebrate her birthday. She has been excited to see the decorations (dragons, moons, stars, fairies, and magic) and the goblets she's making us drink out of. Dreaming of her birthday helps her get through the days.

Reading

 Thanks for checking on our girl.

Mel