I have been told by my friends that have walked this road ahead of us that the first two weeks of treatment are the hardest and thankfully, we have made it to the halfway point. We are definitely starting to see some improvement in Ella. She is certainly not herself yet but at least she is a little more alert. She still doesn't want to spend much time sitting up and hasn't started talking again after having that tube shoved down her throat for 18 hours. It's kind of weird because she doesn't seem to want to put herself into the sitting position and then when she is, she seems kind of wobbly. I am not sure if she is still feeling the effects of all the drugs she was on or if she is a little nauseous or if she is just weak and tired. Maybe a combination of all the above. Daddy has been with her since last night and said she seems a little more lively today but he is just enjoying his snuggle time with her right now. I will be heading in soon so will see for myself. We have some exciting visitors coming tomorrow.....
Zoey's mom, Heather will be coming down from Camarillo and then all the way from Canada.......
Joel and his family. We also expect a visit from an old co-worker of mine who happens to have a son with Ds tonight and then tomorrow hopefully some grandparent visits. We love visitors as it helps to pass the days away.
Fyi.....for those of you with blog readers, Rachel pointed out to me that if I do a post from the hospital computer, it doesn't show up on her blog reader. Not sure why but I guess that means that if you are looking for an update, you might just have to go directly to my blog to see if there is one.....thanks Rachel for the heads up!!
Here are some pics from yesterday that show Ella with a little more life in her. Thanks once again for all the prayers. Did you know that not only do we have a ton of prayer warriors praying for Ella here in the U.S., but we also have people praying in Peru and India. How cool is that!!! Take that leukemia!!! If you live in another country that I haven't mentioned....please speak up!!
Ella with her treasured DVD player!!
A brief attempt at getting on to her knees
One of three naps today. Look at how messed up her face
is from the bi-pap mask and all the tape from the nasal
oxygen!!
Ella's infant teacher Rosario and her husband.
Sitting up on our bed/couch.
Close-up on her poor face.
Big sisters Abbey and Emma visiting.
All tuckered out!!
30 comments:
She looks pooped but still adorable! I wish I could come visit you guys!!!! Give her a big hug and kiss for me. Thanks for the updates. It is so great that she is in so many peoples prayers! Hugs!
I am so proud of you and your family for hanging in there during your tough week. Will keep you in my prayers.
Such a beauty and a trooper! Sending love and prayers.
You guys are all doing great!! Keep it up!!
love you all! squeeze H for me tomorrow!!!
Prayers!!!
You also have prayers coming from Australia - thinking of your beautiful Ella and hoping that she is feeling brighter very soon.
~Allie
NSW, Australia
Oh sweet Ella ... your poor girl.Still looking beautiful only just looking like you have been through a war.And a war it is, but you are a warrior girl now ...wish you didn't have to be one though.
See you tomorrow.Call if you think of anything else I can bring you guys.
Love and prayers in great abundance my friends.
Hospitals stink don't they:( Hang in there sweet girl. Aubrey and I are praying hard that your stay is short and that you are headed home to your own bed soon!
I would keep an eye on her lack of movement and make sure that nothing is being missed. It never hurts to ask questions and keep on those nurses and doctors. You know her best and THEY might miss something.
Prayers from TX.
It's amazing how adorable she is even with the raw and bruised face. What a sweet angel!
Prayers from VA.
Oh poor thing. Her face looks tender. Let's hope she can sail through next week and be on the mends.
Oh Ella....I just want to reach through the computer and give you the biggest hug! I just wish I could do it in person! We are so happy you got our pictures! HUGE HUGS from us here praying for you in New Jersey!!
I haven't been on the computer for a few days and was so happy to see she is out of PICU.
Poor thing just looks so pooped out! I agree about the 2 week thing and the first round always seems to be the worst. Will they do a repeat bone marrow on her before she goes home?
Sending prayers that the chemo did the job and Ella gets through these next few weeks as easy as possible for having chemo.
Thankful to hear she is perking up a bit and that you have so much great company coming to see you.
Jason's family is all from England so prayers for Ella are going on there too!
Hugs & love from Kansas!
Ella we can't wait to see that pretty face back to your beaming smile!
Oh Ella, hang in there sweetie, you're doing such a great job!! You'll be home soon:) Abbey and Emma, you're both such wonderful sisters......that picture speaks more than words ever could! Now that's alot of LOVE!!!
Sending lots of prayers and super bear HUGS!!
This whole thing still stinks but Ella is so darn precious no matter what. Hugs again from me!
Thanks to Zoey's mom, you have another prayer warrior in Long Beach ;)
I've been following sweet Ella's story. Just wanted you to know that we're sending up the prayers for your family!
(We're not quite at the halfway mark of your commute....but if you ever need to stop off and catch a breath, let me know. Our home is open :) )
I'm so glad Ella is doing better! We are very excited about seeing you tomorrow!!
i am so glad she is doing a little better! Good to see her sitting up! Way to conquer the first week! I wish I lived close to come visit...and meet you all!
I hate to see all those marks on her face, looks like she's been through alot, but beautiful she remains non the less.
So happy that you're half way there and that she's trying to be a little of her old self, she going to be all of her old self soon enough.
Denise I have all of you in my prayers, and I remain optimistic all the time. There is so much love coming I just hope you can feel some of it.
I do so love all the pictures, battle scars and all, the one of the three sisters is so beautiful. How are the girls handling this? I hope they are o.k.
Sending much love and once again hugs and kisses to our warrior. (((hugs))) to you too
You also have prayers coming from Canada
I am very proud of Ella. She is a very strong little girl. I keep praying for her and you guys. It is not easy, but it is the better for her to get all that bad cells out his body. It is amazing how blogging connects our lives. Tommy sends a kiss and a hug to Ella.
Fight on little Warrior girl. You are amazing!!!! We are so proud of you!
The Mason-Manns
there was so much craziness around here that I forgot to check in yesterday. I love seeing her look soo much better. I hope you got your package, I know Zoey got hers. See you guys soon!
Prayers from Scotland too.Take care and big hugs for Ella.
Poor sweet baby. Sending prayers from Cleveland, OH....
Ella, we are thinking of you every day and sending our prayers. We wish we could take all of your pain away and make everything better. We hope to see you soon and give you a big hug!
Love,
Frank and Erica
poor lovie. BAD MASK! our prayers are still coming your way. I hope it just gets better from here after such a difficult week
I am just catching up with your week (I have been out of touch the last couple of weeks with construction and painting going on at our house) and cannot bear the pictures of little ella and her face all beaten up from the bi pap mask and the tape! oh the tape, i forgot how much i hate that stuff! i am so relieved that the fluid appears to be gone from around her heart and that you guys have made it through the first week! i wish we lived in the area so we could visit you! thinking about you tons and saying LOTS of prayers!!!
Denise,
I was in complete shock when I came to your blog. I decided I needed to take a break from the blogging world to focus on my family. Your blog tonight was the first I have visited in a long time. I am so sorry that Ella and your family are having to go through all this. How wonderful that you have so many people providing you with lots of support. I am personally going to be saying lots of prayers for your family and will be sure to put Ella on our prayer list at church. I wish I could do more! {hugs}
Best wishes for this beautyfull little girl from germany! Antje
Her poor little face! She is a beauty though! I'm glad to hear you are hanging in there and that Ella is doing better!
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