Hearts are Hurting IV

Here's the latest encouraging news, written by Kori's father, Tim:

An echocardiogram was performed on Kori this morning and the results were very encouraging. Dr. Benton said that the function of the left side of her heart had increased to approximately 20% and that he was very pleased with her progress and how rapidly it had come. They will do another one on Friday. He wants her sedated when it is done, but they are bringing her out of sedation right now and I believe they will take her off the ventilator and get the tubes out her her throat. They will have to put her under and back on the ventilator on Friday to perform the echocardiogram, but Dr. Benton said it would be worth it to have her able to talk for the next 2 days. They did a heart biopsy yesterday, but the results of it won't be back for 2-3 more days. Dr. Benton said Kori was definitely moving in the right direction.

Even though Kori has been sedated, we are still able to communicate on a limited basis. She moves her tongue for "yes" and even though they have her paralized to restrict her movement, she can shake her head slightly for "no." She indicated that her neck hurt, so I was rubbing it. When I stopped, she said "no." Her 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. nurse that we really like was to be off for the next few days, but she cancelled all of her plans so she can continue working with Kori. She is remarkable.