Two Year Anniversary

To bring everyone up to date Ellie was once again admitted into the hospital on Wednesday, January 2nd.  Yep she is an over achiever.  Good thing my new years resolution wasn’t for her to stay out of the hospital or that would have been a short-lived resolution.  She had an MRI and wasn’t feeling too well, so they held her Chemotherapy this week and sent us home.  Later Wednesday night she once again spiked a fever and if you are a loveforellie follower you would know that only means one thing, and ER visit. 

As I was trying to pack and overnight bag Jake was crying that he doesn’t want Ellie to die.  Not sure were he has gotten this idea in his head from.  We have never spoken of the possibilities in front of him or Ellie.  We had to calm him down and let him know that she was not going to die.  It was a really rough getting out of the house with Ellie and leaving Jake so upset.  Luckily Dave was able to handle it.  They decided to keep her overnight and which during that time her white blood cell count took a huge plunge.  We have been on a roller coaster since Wednesday, one minute were going home and the next she is spiking a fever again.  Today is Saturday and the doctors informed us that she would be spending the night once again.  This will make 4 nights, 5 days.  Ellie is such a good little girl she has been tearing up because she wants to go home but most of the time she holds back her tears.  It is really sad to me when I see one tear roll down her cheek as she tries to act strong for me.  During the time I have been in the hospital Jake has come down with the flu.  My poor little guy is struggling.  This is a very nasty flu going around.  We all got the flu shot but obviously it doesn’t cover the strain going around. 

Ellie has been in Quarantine since we have been here, basically there are double doors in our room, and no one can come in or out without a full gown, mask, gloves.  Every time they deliver her lunch, clean the room, check her vitals, etc. I cannot imagine how much all these gowns, face masks, gloves are costing us. 

Yesterday was a very busy day here Ellie got to spend time with the Music therapist, the hospital school teacher, Art Therapist and the Child life specialist.  While here child life specialist was here we were talking about how far Ellie has come and I realized that yesterday was the two-year anniversary since Ellie met her.  She was the person who explained to Ellie about here bump in her head and surgery.  I had a slightly emotional moment.  It’s so hard to believe it has been two years of surgery, doctors, and Chemotherapy.  I remember when we had to have three people holding Ellie down to access her.  Now you just count to three and she is ready to go.  I am extremely impressed on how Ellie handles everything she has gone through.  We feel so blessed to have her our life. 

With all the love and support of our family, friends, and community it has made it much easier to handle all the challenges that have been thrown our way. 

So I leave you with this, a few pictures from Jan. 4th 2011 to now January 5th 2013 including the pictures from this visit in the hospital. Our Medical Journey, with a few picutures 

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