Ella's Treatment Done

Let me first apologize for not returning phone calls, e-mails, and text messages. Please realize that we appreciate hearing from so many of you; however, my day is pretty much spent at Children's. Todd went back to work last week and, therefore, has been coming up directly after work. And when we finally do get home there is just enough time to eat and go to bed. I have learned quickly that if I don't get enough sleep I become an emotional wreck (not to mention a little crabby).

Ella made it through her 7 days of treatment like a champ! She's proven to be such a fighter in her first 13 days of life! So right now we enter a waiting game to see if her liver will begin to function properly on its own.

As far as how much longer Ella will be in the NICU, we do not know. Besides getting better she also needs to be weaned off of her oxygen (which she is getting close to), weaned onto a bottle (which we started on Tuesday), and then weaned to take and digest the appropriate amount of breast milk for her age.

Little by little Todd and I have been able to take part in some parental 'duties' such as changing Ella's diaper and bottle feeding her. We can't wait to be able to hold her again when her immune system becomes a little stronger. It's amazing what we once took for granted!

My sister, Alysia, has pretty much taken over our household duties - cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and making goodies for the nurses and doctors. And between our dads and neighbor, Mike, our lawn and yard has been taken care of this week and last.

My mom is playing the role of chauffeur (as I am still unable to drive) as well as babysitter so Todd and I can feel comfortable leaving Ella's side 'early' some nights.

Todd's mom has been our 'cook,' making us a casserole to last a week so we don't have to worry about making dinner. And Todd's brother, Jeff, and sister-in-law, Kim, have supplied us with medical translations and gift certificates to restaurants near the hospital.

And when we were just learning about Ella's condition my brother's friend, Tom, came up to the hospital and calmed our panicked nerves by provided our whole family with a complete 'lowdown' using as simple of terms and analogies as possible.

Finally, thank you to all of those I have not mentioned for your phone calls, e-mails, text messages, prayers, and well wishes. Those are just as important! We appreciate and will take all we can get!!

In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed, candles lit, prayers going, and good vibes coming our way so that Ella only gets better so we can take her home ASAP!!