Ally Heintz

Not sure why I would think that we would ever get a break or vacation from a hospital, but Friday we had all planned to take some time and spend it with our families in the mountains. Of course Ally had plans of her own.

Friday, after spending the morning packing the car to the roof, we finally were on our way to the mountains. When we got there the weather was not so great, but we made the best of it. We spent a few hours fishing, and then ate dinner with gram and pop. The whole day Friday, Ally just did not seem right. Thursday night she was up tossing and turning and even had a slight fever. This should have been our warning, but when she woke Friday, she was fine. So we continued our plans. Friday came and gone and as night came, Ally started down hill. First needing oxygen, then came the high heart rates. Needless to say we spent another night without much sleep.

Saturday morning we knew we had to make the long 4.5 hour trip to duPont to have Ally checked. Ashley stayed behind to continue her vacation with the family, only making our trip that much harder knowning we couldn't be together as a family. On the way to duPont the excitement continued. Just before arriving at the hospital, we were pulled over by a state trooper. Quick thinking and getting some alarms to sound off in the car with Ally's equipment does wonders for getting out of tickets! The cop realized the situation and left us go. Yeah!!!

We spent the next 4 hours in the ER getting blood cultures from Ally's central line to check for an infection. After waiting and finding nothing from the results, we were allowed to go home. But the fun didn't stop there.

Sunday morning at 4 a.m. the ER callled to say we had to bring Ally right away that her results finally grew out an infection in her line. So we again packed the car and arrived at duPont only this time we were admitted to the floor. We spent most of the day Sunday in the hospital receiving antibiotics for the line infection. After getting clearance to do the rest of the treatments at home, we finally made it back home later that night.

Then there was Monday. As we were getting ready to give Ally another dose of antibiotics we discovered that her line was unable to be flushed. Right then you know you just bought another ticket to the ER. So off we went this morning. I think today was the worst, mostly because we were exhausted from the days before. We spent another 5 hours in the ER for the third day straight, and with a little luck we were able to use TPA to open the line and draw back blood from it. Great news!!! If this hadn't had worked we would be there for a least a day or two, and would have most likely needed a new central line.

After missing the entire weekend off, we were still able to keep Ally home!

Its funny we drove a total of about 800 miles, spent $120 or more in gas, didn't get much sleep, missed time to enjoy ourselves as a family, and yet still feel lucky to just be home as of tonight. I guess we learned that at anytime things could change for the worst and that you should enjoy anytime that is a good time when you have the chance!

Ally will continue the anitbiotic treatment this week in the hope that the infection clears. Hope everyone had a great holiday, and we will update again as things progress.

Ally had only a short stay this week in the PICU. The removal of her trache was uneventful. She is doing well, and happy to be home. All we need now, is that call from Pittsburgh!

Please continue to pray for our friends the Maichers, and that John and his liver make a full recovery very soon.

Shane

Well, so far Ally is holding her own and than some without her trache. I just left her upstairs in the PICU with her favorite night nurse Kara. She was going to go help gossip out at the nurses station. We let her be a night owl when she is at the hospital!

It is so nice to see her without the trache ties around her neck. She hasn't been talking any more than usual but she was already talking so much with the trache in.

She will stay tonight in the PICU and than move to the floor tomorrow. If things are fine both nights than she comes home Thursday, hopefully in the morning.

I'll try to update again tomorrow night.

Jill

Sunday was a big day for Ally. She learned how to crawl!!! Not far of course, but exciting to see her move a few feet on her hands and knees. Since she has been home, Ally continues to gain strength and determination to be just like her big sister. I think the time waiting to be transplanted is good for all of us. It has allowed us to enjoy each day and gain progress in strength for the fight of our lives in Pittsburgh. Ally has remained on antibiotics and is for now, feeling and looking OK. We continue to take each day, one at a time.

Some other news as you might of seen on the homepage, is the story of Courtney. Since updating this site for 2 years I have always been reluctant to point out or write about the great things people have done for our family. I guess I never wanted to hurt others or forget to say thanks for something I should have. Maybe its because I would have been updating the site 10 times a day with all the great things everyone has done in the past.? I finally thought, these stories of people deserved to be told and given some recoginition for their kind gestures toward Ally. Moving forward when I can, I plan to mention the gestures of goodness towards our family to say thanks, and to let you know that good people still do exisit in this world today.

Courtney is an 11 year old girl who is the daughter of Lisa, a co-worker on mine. Both Courtney and her mother have done many of things for us. The other week as I was working at my desk, I heard a little voice behind me say, excuse me, Mr. Heintz... as I turned around there stood Courtney with her hands extended out with an envelope of money, a hand full of art crafted easter cards, and a photo of all the girls at her 11th birthday party. Talk about a surprise. It took every part of me not to cry in front of her. Just like an angel, she explained to me how she decided that instead of the girls bringing gifts to her party for her, that she wanted contributions made to help Ally. Easter cards were made by all the girls for both Ally and Ashley, and they also took a group photo with the banner that said "We love Ally". Seeing the time and thought put into each card, and watching Courtney tell me the story, I couldn't help to realize that she had learned a great life's lesson through Ally. Maybe the other girls as well.? Courtney is really an Angel for Ally, and I thank her and her mother for acts of kindness from their hearts to ours!!