Olga Button

Spread The Word for Olga

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Hair Loss.....Boo Hoo!!!

Well, it looks like Ella is going to fall in to the percentage of kiddos who lose their hair with chemo. We had hoped she might follow in Zoey's footsteps and hang on to it, but the last few days, we have seen hair all around....on my shirt, on her bed. Not a lot but enough that I fear it is going. I know that it is expected and all part of the process, but it will definitely feel more like she is sick if she doesn't have any hair. But it will grow back in time, so we will just hold on to that for now. Until then, we will have to use some creative hair accessories to make her look girlie (thanks Kelli for your wise gift of THE MOST ADORABLE HAT AND HEADBAND I HAVE EVER SEEN...pictures to follow someday when Ella needs to wear them)

The last couple of days, it appears that Ella's counts have bottomed out which means that basically she has NO immune system right now. The good news is that the only way to go now....is UP!! She actually had a few "good cells" start to show back up in her blood count today which means that she has started the upward trend....hopefully! (I guess sometimes they can go up and bit and then back down before definitely going upward). For those of you who are unfortunate enough to understand what these numbers mean, yesterday her ANC was O and today her ANC was 10 with a WBC of 2.0 and neutrophil count of 0.5

Ella continues to feel pretty good. Her energy level is decent and she spends a fair amount of time each day cruising around on the floor. But I think her favorite pastime continues to be watching her DVDs.......favorites being Baby Signing Times, Dora and Jana Alayra

Please keep those pictures of your kiddos coming.....Ella's wall is starting to fill up with some VERY adorable faces......Ella gets a kick looking at the pictures (everyone is "ba-ba"...baby) but I think I love looking at them even more!! If you still need our address, email me at adjvollmer@aol.com.

Now for some pics from today.......


Ella sporting some Baby Legs that Jax sent
her....so stylish!!





These are all stuffed animals that she has received
and they ALL get to sleep with her...she is either hugging
and kissing them OR throwing them over the side of
her crib....notice she is making the sign for birdie.

I think she just threw a ball over the fence so
she could make mommy fetch it for the 10th time.
Notice the poster in the background, big sister Abbey
took it to school and had a bunch of people sign it
for Ella!!





33 comments:

erinlitteral said...

Hi Denise.. Thank you for you sweet note. I was wonderin about your stay. Are you planning to be there for awhile? Ella looks so happy... such a joyful little spirit. I'm continuing to pray for her and all of you. You are an amazing Mom and it's so nice to read all your genuine posts. You're such an encouragement.

Googsmom said...

{{{{HUGS}}}}} and Prayers!

The Lehnick Family said...

Think about you and Ella all the time...she is such a sweet little girl and you are an amazing mama! Your family is so strong...please know our prayers are with you everyday!

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

Ella is beautiful! I know losing her hair isn't fun! :( Let me encourage you though. My hair was blond and straight before chemo. After chemo it came in brown and wavy. I know it will come back in just beautiful! :-) I am praying for her and your family. Thank you for allowing me to read your blog.

Stephanie said...

That's quite a set up you have there. I love all the animals. It's really great that they allow you to basically take over the room with whatever comforts from home you need.
Seriously getting that pic off today!!! It's my hubby's fault! isn't it always??? LOL

Ella looks just beautiful! Hate to see the hair go .but all is temporary!!!!

Bulldogma said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Ella. She will be just as adorable without hair if she does lose it all. What a smiley little princess she is!!! BIG HUGS!!

Tina said...

Oh feeling sad hearing about the hair falling, but just like Stephanie says it's all temporary and the beautiful child and face underneath that hair doesn't change. We all love her just the same, and frannkly I don't think she could ever look any less cute.

Photo is on the way I do hope it gets there in piece and someday soon!!!!

Hugs and many kisses to the princess

Rachel said...

She is so beautiful and you are both strong. Hang in there. We are curious how you have to wash up-degerm- before you spend time with her to keep her healthy?

Kristen's mom said...

You will come to love her little bald head. It will be soft and you will hardly be able to stop rubbing it. There is just something about kissing a little skin head. the bad part is it is another outward sign of the road you've been forced to walk. Each time Kristen's hair has come in a little different. A little curly once and a little darker the next time. Our picture will be on it's way soon. Sweet Ella continues to be in our prayers.

Lacey said...

My sweet baby girl! She will look just as cute with that little bald head. I can't wait to see you guys. It looks like it will be a close one on whether she is still there or not!

my family said...

She looks like she is right at home, nice and comfy. I am so glad to hear she seems to feeling well and that stinky chemo isnt getting the best of that sweet little smile.

The Sanchez Family said...

There is nothing that can stop her adorableness!!! I would love to send Ella a picture of Joaquin and Sofia! My email is jvaranini@yahoo.com.
xoxoxo
Jen

Rochelle said...

Bummer on the hair loss but, thankful her numbers are looking good. I guess if she has to be bald and beautiful for a while to kick this stuff we will let her! We like bald at our house anyway (Jason is bald LOL).
Hugs to you all, glad you have lots of decorations for her walls.
Give her smoochies from us!
Prayers that her immunity makes that upward climb quickly!

mandd3 said...

I'm sorry she is losing her hair. It must be tough to be confronted with her illness like that, but you and she are pretty tough cookies. Can't wait to see what the "new" pigtails will look like. Praying for a quick increase in numbers.

Sweet Pea's Mommy said...

Those are some adorable pictures you posted! I'm sorry about the hair loss! She will always be adorable though!

Monica Crumley said...

I'm sorry to hear that she'll lose her lovely little tresses. The photos make her look like she's in great spirits and cute as ever. And she still will be... with or without hair! Your family remains in my prayers!

Becca said...

I feel certain sweet little Ella will be just as gorgeous without hair as she is with! Glad she's still feeling pretty good. Sending hugs from me and Samantha. :-)

kecia said...

I love how positive you are through all this! You are amazing and she is amazing! I still want to send a picture but haven't got ot it yet so I am glad it is not too late!

Emily said...

OH... her sweet pictures always brighten my day. She is looking so happy despite all that she is going through. Love you guys to pieces. Sweet Ella will always be gorgeous... with or with out hair!

Melissa said...

That's too bad about the hair loss, but Ella looks like she's doing great. I love all her big smiles!

Kelly said...

Hair or no hair, as long as our Sweet Ella is on her upward road to recovery, nothing else matters. Health first, the rest is cosmetics! Continuous prayers heading your way:)

Mama Mason-Mann said...

LOVE the pics, as always. I had to show them to my husband. They're so darn cute! :) Sorry about the hair. Maybe she won't lose it all. Sending more good vibes!

To Love Endlessly said...

She's gonna be as cute as ever with or without hair. She's just a beauty! Still is a bummer though. I love her signing bird! I bet she just LOVES playing ball with you. hehe

Unknown said...

She is beautiful!! And I love those babylegs, skyes just got a few pairs in the mail as well :)
I hope everything is going well enough and she will look just as beautiful with or without hair...hair just add on more things to do in the morning ;)

Cheryl said...

Sorry Ella is starting to lose her beautiful hair.She will still be just as precious without it though :) I will get a picture of Ruby out in the mail to you next week.
Love and prayers.

RK said...

She's got some goodies on the way soon from Braska and Jack... and I know I'd be bummed about the hair, too, but it will come back soon and be gorgeous! :o)

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Denise, I'm sorry that Ella has started losing her hair. I know that it's not a big deal in the scheme of things but it's definately an emotional one. ((hugs)) She will look adorable no matter what, that's for sure!

I wanted to come by again but was worried about visiting while her counts are so low. Let me know what you think!

Devon said...

Sweet girl. I am sorry to hear she is losing her hair. Fortunately, she is beyond adorable and a little while without hair won't change that!

We need to get our pics in the mail...

Cammie Heflin said...

Always praying and thinking about you Ella!

sen said...

she is a nice and pretty good.

Tausha said...

Sweet baby legs. Your in our prayers.

P Ropecia said...

Hugs for sweet little angel. Don't worry dear you will get your hairs soon.