Support Ivy’s Heart Surgery: A Journey to Wellness

Hi everybody,

Brooke and Kristin here. If you don’t know us, we are Annalise’s sister-in-law and sister, and we are writing with the hope that we come together to support the Thompsons as they navigate the next step in Ivy’s heart journey.

The background: Annalise, Ryan, and big brother Emerson welcomed sweet Ivy at the end of summer 2024. Ivy was born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) which means she has a hole between the bottom chambers of her heart that shouldn’t be there. This hole puts stress on her heart and impacts her ability to grow and thrive, along with decreasing her ability to fight off even simple viruses or infections. Some VSDs will close on their own, others require surgery to fix. This largely has to do with how big the defect is. Ivy, unfortunately, falls into the category of needing surgery. Ivy has had close monitoring of her heart since she was born. Her team has monitored both her growth and the structure & function of her heart itself. She has now reached the point that surgery needs to happen sooner rather than later, and surgery has been scheduled for the end of February.

If you are reading this, then you know that Ryan and Annalise are the type of people who will do anything, for anyone. They are always among the first to ask how they can help when they notice a need. And now it’s our turn to help them if we can.

Between medical bills, travel, and time needed off from work, the financial impact of the surgery will be significant. This is coming at a time when the general cost of living is already at an all time high, and young, working families are afforded few breaks.

If you are able and willing, any financial contribution to Ivy’s care would be greatly appreciated. We can guarantee Annalise and Ryan will be the first to pay it forward when the time comes for someone else. If you are not in a place to contribute, thoughts, prayers, or words of support for Ivy’s healing and her family’s peace of mind would also be received with gratitude.

Thanks in advance to all who come together to show their love to Ivy, Annalise, Ryan, and Emerson.