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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Finally Some Improvement!!

****fyi....to those that are checking my blog and may try to call or text friday morning, my cell phone is dead and the charger is sitting on my counter at home...oops!! So please don't get stressed if you don't get a hold of me!!*****

Tonight has definitely been better. I got to the hospital around 4pm and Ella was sleeping on daddy's shoulder. She still had the chest tube in but somehow was still ok sleeping that way. The cardiologist had attempted to take the chest tube out earlier but had met with some resistance and didn't want to take a chance on pulling it out and having there be a problem. So he wanted the thoracic-cardiac surgeon to come check it out. He finally showed up around 5:30pm and proceeded to pull it right out with her sitting on my lap. He said that sometimes if they are knocked out when they insert the tube, they are very relaxed and by the time he went to pull it out, she had tensed up her muscle and more than likely this was the resistance they felt. So thankfully that tube is out now!!! They took her off the bi-pap maching (big mask) early his afternoon and now she is just left with the nasal cannula and a feeding tube down her nose. Earlier, she was still trying to pull at the things in her nose and I was literally having to hold her arms down..which she hated, but then she suddenly relaxed in her bed and proceeded to fall asleep for 4 hours. When she woke up, she seemed very relaxed and has just been lying there trying to decide if she wants to go back to sleep or not.

For bigger news....the first round of chemo is officially complete. All 96 hours of it has run through her veins. Now we just sit here and wait for it to kill off all of the blood cells and watch her immunitydisappear along with it. Eventually she should start remaking her good blood cells and when she gets them high enough....we will get to go home for a short bit (hopefully). So for the next 3 weeks or so, we will be hanging here at CHOC so please, if you live in the vicinity, feel free to keep me company....ONLY HEALTHY PEOPLE MAY APPLY!!!!

Tomorrow we should move back down to the oncology floor. They will do one more echo of her heart just to make sure that the fluid is still gone and then I am praying that she can do away with the oxygen and start to be our sweet little Ella again!

No pictures tonight as I am at the hospital but I am hoping to get some of her sitting up tomorrow.

23 comments:

The Lehnick Family said...

Oh Denise...Our prayers haven't stopped for little Ella! I admire your strength...I know us momma's are tough, but still I admire all you have gone through and I admire Ella's strength as well.
Glad to hear they were able to take the chest tube out and she is more comfortable now...I can't imagine how she must of felt... I wish we lived closer by...I'd be there in a heartbeat! Please know if there is anything we can do from where I am, I will do it! I have many of my dear friends praying for Ella as well...Thanks for keeping us updated...
Darlena

Heather said...

We sure like to hear the word improvement!Thought about you and prayed for her,throughout the day today.

Round one of chemo done.A milestone,definitely.With all the "extra's" of the week,seemed like the least of your worries I am sure.Now the waiting for counts to drop and rise again.Not one of our favorite parts but much better than life in the PICU.Will feel like an odd welcomed change of pace once you get back to the floor.

Planning on Sunday for a trip down with Zoey's favorite mode of transportation when she was cruising 4 East.I firm up with that being okay over the next day or two.

Your doing great my friend.You all are.Especially your mighty fighter.Proud of her and of course of you.

Talk to you tomorrow and thank you for my picture ... liked it much better than the last.She looked so peaceful.

Hope the night was restful for you both.

Anonymous said...

This a real good news... We cant be there with you physically but our wishes go all out for Ella and family.

Take care. Ella will get well soon !

Ashish
(Navya's dad)

Mama Mason-Mann said...

Wonderful news! Glad things have taken at least a slightly better turn!!! What a tough start! Poor baby and you all! Heaping hugs!

love to you all.

Bulldogma said...

So glad to hear the first round is DONE! And so glad the tube is out. Hopefully the next few weeks will prove restful and not too trying for anyone.
Hugs!

Rachel said...

Praise the Lord for good news! Keep your chin up and don't let any germies near that YOUR Ella Grace.

The VW's said...

Glad that things are going somewhat smoother! We'll be praying over here! Love and Hugs!!

Rochelle said...

So thankful for a better night and no chest tube & 1st round down. Do they have an estimate of how many rounds she will have?

We will be praying for her to stay healthy especially now while her immunity is down.

We wish we were closer so we could come and hang out with you but, I bet there are several that will step up.
So hugs and love from us. Take care of yourself!

Lori said...

Denise -
I am so glad to hear that Ella has completed her first round and that dreaded chest tube has been removed! I am praying that there is no more fluid around her heart and that it does not return!
I admire your strength and positive attitude...Ella will certainly feed off of that.
Prayers are still coming!!
Give Ella a hug for us!

Julie said...

That is so good to hear (or, see!). Now that you've both gotten some rest, hopefully today will be a good one!

Lacey said...

You are doing great Denise! I wish we were coming down while you were still there so I can keep you company. But your girls are defintely welcome to come to Disneyland with us all the days we are going!

Becca said...

Poor little thing! Glad the round of chemo is over, and I hope she responds well! It's got to be so hard to see her going through this, but stay strong!!

erinlitteral said...

What a little strong girl she is! She's doing such a good job. She's such a blesssing. Sweet girl... God is giving her all she needs to overcome. And Mama too. I will continue praying for her. God Bless you guys.

Sweet Pea's Mommy said...

I'm elated to hear that yesterday was such a better day! We will keep praying for her and I can't wait to visit with you next week!

Stephanie said...

OH what good news!! Round one, gone! Chest tube, gone!! Soon Cannula ..gone!!
Miss Ella is showing her fighting spirit!

Love, hugs and prayers!!!

Melissa said...

I'm so glad to hear this was a better day! I have been praying for you ever since I heard Ella was in the hospital, but hadn't commented. I just wanted you to know that you all are very much in my thoughts and prayers!

my family said...

I am so glad to hear things are going better I hope everything runs smoothly from here.

I need to get your email address when you have time
april

Cammie Heflin said...

Yeah! I have been praying for you guys! I tried to post Ella's button but I keep getting an error, don't know what I'm doing wrong! We are constantly thinking of you guys though!

Alan Anderson said...

Many prayers still coming your direction from our house! So glad the chest tube is out - it is hard to look at the pictures of her being sedated and intubated - knowing that under all those wires is a pretty little girl with a lot of spunk who would love to get up and smile at everyone.

Praying, praying, praying. Wish we lived closer so we could help!

Kele said...

Checking in before bed, such good news makes me sooooo happy! It all sounds so familiar from our sweet Zoey's time at this, makes me sad for all these little loves of ours to have to endure this. Thank God for our big wonderful blog world family out here, we all prayed for Zoey and now we are all praying for Ella... and WE ARE praying Denise, checkin daily and praying like crazy!
Love you!

Sasha@ Blyssfulhealth said...

Glad to hear that today is better. I have a smile on my face knowing that it is a little bit better and that you will get to go home for a bit.

Tina said...

I was hoping for this wonderful news...once again Ella is constantly in my thouhgts. I really really wish I was closer, I would be a permanent fixture there at CHOC keeping you company.

Ella is proving herself a real fighter, not that I thought any different for even a minute...you stay strong and remain optimistic all the time.

Keeping you guys in my prayers and looking forward to only good news. Hugs and kisses

Sandie said...

Would like to see you at CHOC sometime, Denise. I will text you and check when you're there. Ella will be fine (I don't know how she can't with these prayer armies in full gear and action!) She is meant to be the Miracle Girl.