Today went very smoothly. I am happy to report that they got the IV in on the first try (last time it took 4 attempts). This made the whole experience so much easier. I can definitely say that it helps alot to ask for the best IV starter on the staff (thanks Kele for this advice) and also for having done this once before and knowing that they had the best luck getting it in her wrist. Once they put the IV in, they gave her the "relaxing drug" and then the "sleepy drug". She was totally giggling as she was going out. I have to admit that this made the whole experience a lot easier. We had to leave the room while they withdrew the bone marrow. Within a few minutes, the doctor came out and said we could go back in and see our sleepy girl. She was already coming to but was very "floppy". We had the big sisters with us and they were allowed to come in the room as well. I do like how kid friendly they make everything for the families. Abbey (my 10 year old) opted not to come in for the IV placement. I think she has a hard time seeing Ella upset. Emma (my 8 year old) is like me....likes to see the action. We were able to leave 30 minutes after the procedure and other than being a little weak still, Ella seemed fine. She fell asleep immediately in the car but we woke her when we got to our next destination a few minutes later so she could finally have her morning bottle (this was at noon). After that she was good as new!!!
Now we wait for the results. We wait to see if her platelets have come up at all. We wait to see if there are any leukemia cells (blasts) forming in her bone marrow and if not, hopefully an answer to why her platelets are low. The doctors know we have a road trip planned in 10 days so hopefully we will hear something before then..I am thinking in a week or so. Please keep her in your prayers!!
Just waking up, trying to push up
My photo girl...trying to smile at the camera
Looking to daddy for help
Mommy kept forgetting that she couldn't
hold her head up well and she would flop back.
In mommy's arms (photo by Emma)
With big sister Emma
You can't see it, but she is looking a
the little red light they have attached
to her big toe (I think it is for oxygen)
How quickly she recovers...here she is performing
a pretend drum solo
21 comments:
She is just the sweetest little girl!! I'm so glad the IV placement went so well! I was thinking about you and praying for you!
I will continue to pray for you as you await the results.
Oh, sweet Ella...I am so glad the procedure went smoothly...I was thinking of you guys all day! I bet the nurses just LOVED you! What a little sweetheart you are and what a strong mommy you have! I really admire you Denise...you have such a special spirit and positiveness about you and we all need that in us. I pray that you receive fast results and that you are able to still go on your road trip...:) Big hugs to you and Ella!
What a little trooper. I agree with the above, Denise you always have a positive feel about you. That in itself is a blessing.
Continued prayers coming your way.
So happy to hear everything went well....now praying for the good news!! Ella is a darling and such a brave girl too, you must be really proud of her.
My prayers are with you.....
Hey little stoner baby waking up. Still praying that everything is good. It will take them a week for results? Oh the agony of waiting, it makes me crazy.
Oh, sweet baby girl!Even though we didn't actually talk,texting was the next best thing.I resisted the urge to call this evening.I wanted you to just be able to kick back,snuggle up with that darling girl and the family and take a deep breath ... which I hope you did.This step,complete and done.Now you wait.I HATE that you have to wait.CHLA has results in a few hours.Thank goodness because I think I might lose my mind other wise.So,you wait and we wait with you.And we wait and we pray.Talking to you the other day,hearing your voice, confirmed in me what I have known since the very first time we spoke and that is you will be alright,no matter what.you are strong and positive and I am so proud to call you friend.i can call you that,can't I??Kiss that love for me.
So glad things went as well as they did. We will of course continue keeping Ella in our prayers (and the entire family). She is such a trooper!
Oh so cute sleepy girl. I'm glad the IV placement went well this time. We will continue to pray for sweet Ella. I'm sorry you have to wait and wait - that is hard to do. Praying good news will come soon....
Glad to hear things went well. Wish you didn't have such a long wait. The waiting is the absolute worse.
Praying for you all.
Oh Denise...I'm so sorry I haven't responded earlier. We have been on vacation. Ella and the rest of you are in my prayers!
Oh I am so glad things went well. She is such a trooper and such a doll. I am sure the waiting is not easy. I hope the results are back sooner then later. You and your family are in our prayers.
Hi, it's me again!
First, let me thank you for taking time out to check on us with all you're going through right now. You are so sweet. I wish we lived closer to each other!
To my knowledge, Carly has never had an issue with her platelets. She has had several blood draws done way before leukemia entered our lives. No one ever made any comments about low platelets. Her blood draws were to monitor her thyroid issue and of course each time she had a cath., done and before both heart surgeries and during those hospital stays. Whew, that was a mouthful!
I was told recently, that sometimes kids who have gone through chemo., get to a point where there bodies just can not get normal blood work any longer. It doesn't sound like a terrible bad thing. Beats the heck out of relapse, but still. I want to know what the deal is.
Matter of fact, Carly had great looking blood work all during her chemo. Her platelets rarely went under 200,000. Of course there were days she needed platelets and blood. Those days were in the beginning of treatment. All in all. She did great.
Strangely enough, we never knew that children with Ds had a higher percentage wise chance of developing leukemia. Can you believe that? All the reading everyone did about Ds. Some how, that just flew right over all of our heads. Makes us all sound really stupid doesn't it?
I also know that there is a platelet disorder. Anyone can have it. TMP or TPM, I forgot which is correct. It's basically and unexplainable disorder. No cure for it. Nothing can really be done for it. Other than monthly monitoring to be sure the platelets don't drop dangerously low. I was told by our NP, that sometimes they give steroids to give the platelets a boost. They don't give platelet transfusions though. I guess it doesn't do any good. The platelets just get eaten up as quickly as they give them.
Us moms just have so much on our plates these days. I'm thankful to have found my way to bloggy land. You guys (moms) are the best. I lost so many friends when Carly was born with Ds. Guess they weren't friends after all huh?
So glad the procedure went smoothly and that Ella made a quick recovery - I love how resilient little kids are.
We will be praying for good results -- and some answers!
Oh sweet girl. I am so glad the procedure went smoothly. You will continue to be in our prayers. You guys are an amazing family! I hope and pray that you guys are able to make your road trip. You deserve it! Loads of Love from Utah!
So glad things went well! IVs are the worst, so thankful they got it the first try! I think I would pass out if they did that on Addy!
Praying, crossing our fingers, toes, & whatever else might help!
SO glad it all went well today!! Praying HARD for good results!!!!!!!!
I love the drumming! Rock on Little Ella!!!!
Glad it all seemed to go well. I help my breath reading the post because for some crazy reason I thought you'd have results! Get BIG hugs while you wait for news. We'll be thinking of you all!!!!
So glad to see the IV and bone marrow went well. She just bounced right back and was ready to play. There are so many reasons her platelets could be low. Keeping our fingers crossed for a clean bone marrow and an easy answer to the low platelets.
Thanks for keeping us posted.
Hi Denise, I have been on vacation and not checked blogs in awhile...I did not know about Ella's low platelets...prayers heading your way for Ella and your family!
So thankful that the procedure went well. Praying that you'll be hearing good news soon. I'm sure waiting has got to be very hard.
Ella sure loves those drumsticks! I do believe she'll be a drummer when she gets older!
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