Week started off Rocky, but ended in an amazing experience....

Sorry I have not blogged this week yet.  I was waiting to be in better spirits.  I broke my very first rule, which is not to do any research on the computer. Knowing less is more. Before I get a bunch of comments on the blog about how I should not do
this, I have learned my lesson.  I was in bed at the beginning of this week ill so I was surfing online when I came across a website that has links to Parents blogs of Brain Tumor children. I started off just being curious about what families have gone through in the past, how they have dealt with their children being so sick.  Well I started on the top of the list and got through half way down and did not see a single child that survived a brain tumor. At that point I was feeling pretty down in the dumps so put my computer down and sulked for a while.  I try to put the idea that Ellie’s life expectancy is questionable out of my mind and
live day to day with her.  But I just couldn’t do it this week.  
 
I was already struggling this week because it is the first chemotherapy appointment I have every missed for Ellie because I was contagious with bronchitis.  It was difficult for me not being there for her this week.  The good news was that she did fantastic without me. I can go on and on how sad the week started off but today proved to be an amazing day. Today proved how very special Ellie is, and she was celebrated for it.  
 
Today Ellie got to go on United Airlines Fantasy flight.  It was incredible what the employees of United did for all these terminally ill children.  The employees simulate an actual flight to the North Pole to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  It all started on the way to the Airport, Dave was speeding, and I said “Don’t speed you are going to get pulled over, and then we will be late.”  Dave’s response was “I’ll just tell the police officer, we are on our way to the North Pole to see Santa.”  Knowing Dave he would just say it like that.  Needless to say if we had gotten pulled over I would have done the talking.  So when we arrived at
O’Hare we were greeted by the employees of American airlines.  We actually met someone from the group of employees that adopted Ellie for the gift giving.  We then went through security and brought to our gate, were they had carolers, balloon
artists, Pilots with wings, food, and my husband’s personal favorite the lov-a-bulls.  It was such a joyful experience.  It was so nice to see some other brain tumor families we knew.  From there we boarded the flight, only to find out that we got put into
first class.  I don’t think a regular plane ride will be the same again.  It was really cool that they let Ellie and Jake go see the cockpit and meet the pilots; they even let Jake sit in the driver’s seat.  Boy they really didn’t know what they were getting into. ;o0

 Mine and Ellie’s favorite part was singing Christmas carols with the entire plane.  It was such a spirited and joyful experience. 
The window shades were shut and they did a start of a take off and then drove us to another gate (North Pole).  When we arrived in North Pole we were out loud to open the shades to see fire trucks spraying water from their water cannons onto the plane from both sides.  (Dave said that was the coolest part, but he’s not fooling me I still think it was the lovable.)  We then were greeted by what seemed to be a hundred people that included Employees, firemen, therapy Dogs and owners, volunteers, etc. who cheered us off the plane and down a long bath of them giving the kids high-five’s.  It gave me chills.  We were given an
itinerary that included visiting with Santa & Mrs. Claus, face painting, Lunch in Mrs. Clauses kitchen, North Pole Library, Visiting with therapy Dogs, and much much more. It was incredible how amazing these people were to make such a special day for my kids.  And before we left to go back home the kids each got a bag loaded with presents from Santa.  (Jakes Favorite Part, of course.)  Ellie started off having a difficult day but boy did she have a great time.  And it made us in return have a fantastic time. Isn’t that was  Christmas is when you are an adult.  You don’t get joy from the endless bills, wrapping, and work that is
involved, you get joy from the smiles and joy it brings to your children.  It has been a long day and I am exhausted.  I posted several pictures below.  

Some of the pictures were from when Ellie got her ears pierced last weekend downtown.  Last year Ellie got her earrings pierced right before she was diagnosed, and between all the Cats cans, MRI’s, and X-rays that began in Jan. 4th when she was
  diagnosed her ears closed up.  It was extremely devastating for her when this happened so I was not planning on
  piercing them again in fear that she would have to go through many tests again and they close up again.  But she really wanted this, and I am much more prepared this time.  
 
P.S. I just started a facebook Page for Ellie thanks to someone’s suggestion its “love for Ellie” My goal is to get 1000 fans.  So please pass it on your friends and ask them to be an Ellie Fan.

 Once again Thanks to United Airlines and their Employees for giving us such a special day.