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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Doing Better

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to post an update on Ella. The computers at the hospital are so blocked and even though they gave me codes to get on facebook and my blog, when I would try to post something, it would block me out again. It was just too much work to get any messages out. Just know that I tried. ANYWAY...Ella is doing much better. She is still in the hospital at this point. The morning of the day we took her in to ER her Hb was 3.5 and by that night when they drew blood again, it was down to a 3.0. Thankfully they were expecting us at the ER and we got taken right back to a room. But we had to sit in that room for a couple of hours while they got her IV in, took some blood to make sure of her blood type, wait for the blood to come down etc. etc. By the time we got to a room it was 3am. Ella finally got to sleep in a crib for about 3 1/2 hours until of course they come in to start messing with her. It is true when they say you get no sleep in the hospital!!! Over the last 2 days, they have given her 5 units of blood which brought her numbers up to 8.6 as of this morning. What a difference we saw in our little girl once she got some iron back. She was so perky yesterday that I couldn't get her to nap even though she had only slept a few hours the night before. She would just smile and make faces at every person who walked in the door......of course until they tried to touch her. Then the screaming would start. Then the smiles and faces would come back again after they finished. They have run every blood test to check for viruses but of course those take a few days to get back. Today was nice because they actually disconnected her IV and monitor for a while and let her play on the play mat and take and little cruise around the hospital. She wouldn't keep her mask on and kept trying to climb out of the wagon so I didn't keep her out long. I just went down to the cafeteria and got a salad and soda and came back. Still it was sooo nice to get out of that room. She of course has perfected the parade wave by waving at every person that gave her attention on our adventure. Right after I left her with daddy, the nurse checked her IV and apparently it wasn't working right so they had to take it out and re-do it. Thank God it went smoothly and I guess they put it in her foot this time.

The doctors still haven't figured out what the cause is. Each doctor seems have their own suspicions but haven't been able to confirm it. The possibility still exists that it could be leukemia cells starting to take over in her bone marrow but that can only be confirmed with a bone marrow biopsy which can't be done until her hemoglobin numbers are at least 9.0 and now with the holiday and weekend, the results wouldn't get back right away anyway. One doctor still thinks it is some condition that I can't remember the name of called something like hemapenia but he can't confirm that either. SOOOOO as of tonight when I finally left daddy to stay the night and I came home for a nice turkey dinner and a good night's sleep in my own bed, they are giving her 2 more units of blood tonight and then will do another blood draw in the morning and as long as her numbers are still up, she will get to come home sometime tomorrow and then we will go back to the outpatient clinic next week to do the bone marrow biopsy. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers...they are SOOO appreciated. Here are a few pictures of Ella's metamorphasis over the last few days.
Waiting for mommy to get stuff together to head to the hospital
In the ER
Falling asleep on daddy's shoulder in the ER
Ella's ET toe....she was fascinated with it


The next morning after 2 units of blood



Starting to really get some energy back



Gotta have your Jaxson blankie when you are in the hospital




Just after a sponge bath



Silly girl!



Play time!!



Going for a ride

19 comments:

Kristin said...

I had to laugh thinking about her waving like a princess in the wagon. Too cute. Glad her smiles are back. We'll continue praying!

Tina said...

Can really see the metamorphosis from the 1st and the later pictures, so so relieved that things are better right now, I just hope and PRAY that everything comes back o.k. with the bone marrow biopsy. I think I've said this before but Ella is so full of character and you can see it in her face, she melts my heart. God bless her. I will continue to keep her in my prayers, you stay strong and get some much needed rest. Hope you had a peaceful Thanksgiving, despite everything going on.

Kim said...

She is adorable everywhere she goes! I know it is not fun being in the hospital on Thanksgiving, but think of all the joy she brought to those who had to be there too! Continued prayers for that sweet girl.

Stephanie said...

That girl can make a good time happen under any condition! Love her more and more. Thanks for the update, know we are with you and praying for good results!
We are all in this journey together! Through thick and thin!
Hugs and many kisses!

Adrienne said...

Oh that sweet face, I just love it!! Praying for Ella to continue to get better and for the doctors to find a cause to all of this. She really is just so darn sweet!

Adam, Jaci, Grant, Grace and Amelia said...

So glad to hear that she is doing better. Hopefully, you can get to the bottom of what is causing this, soon. You are all still in our thoughts and prayers.

Mama Mason-Mann said...

Those pictures are incredible! poor baby. What a transformation! Glad to see her feeling better! HOpe mom and dad and brothers and sisters are all hanging in there too. I'm thinking of you all!!!! Your instincts were right! Something was definitely going on. Let's hope it's resolved soon and you can put this all behind you!

Lacey said...

I'm glad she's feeling better. man I see those pics from before and my word she is so white. You can actually see the color coming back into her cheeks. I hope they find an answer as to why it dropped so low. Praying!

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

She looks SO much better! SO good to see!!!!! :) Hope she is home SOON!

The Lehnick Family said...

Oh, little Ella! SO happy you are feeling better...still praying for answers...hang in there! Love you sweet girl...thanks for the updates...

Heather said...

That's my girl!!The amazing Ella.God update and hoping you head home today.Sending you lots of love.

Rosa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rosa said...

I am so glad she is feeling better. It gives you guys a relief because having a child in the hospital is not fun. We will keep praying for the little Ella. Sending you and your family a lot of kisses and hugs. Thanks for the updates.

Heidi said...

Thank you so much for posting an update. I have been thinking about Ella and praying for her. I'm glad she is feeling better. She is so cute - I bet she has the doctors and nurses wrapped around her finger! Looking at those pictures brought such a smile to my face - I just love her smile!

I will continue to pray for Ella and the various test results that will be coming in. I'm glad you were able to get a good night's sleep - it must be so hard to leave but so important to get some sleep yourself!

Cheryl said...

Glad she's feeling better.Hope they find out some answers for you soon.Poor thing she was so pale in those first pictures.I love the precious faces she makes!Please give her hugs from me :)

Kacey Bode said...

Poor poor baby. I'm glad she is feeling so much better though!! Hopefully by now you are all at home! Give her a kiss from me and my Ella Grace!

Alaina and Kyle said...

She looks like she is feeling a little better. Your poor baby. We will pray that you find out soon what is causing all of this and she recovers quickly.

Devon said...

OH heck. She is just too cute. Those pics just make me smile.

It made me giggle--the ET toe. When Dakin was in the hospital that's what we always called it. Though now we do the pulse ox on his leg, usually.

Keep us updated. You're in our prayers.

Kelli said...

Sp glad to hear everything went well and you are back home.
She is just so darn cute, love smile! Hope you find the answers you are looking for.