Flowers From a Friend
Written by: Bonnie on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Today our little family was once again in Chicago and Ella is a little lighter in the head, missing her surgery hat and drainage tubes… however, she is also a little heavier as Kirk and the nurse injected her expanders with an additional 35ml of saline (15 in the front and 20 in the back). Her head is officially taking on a strange shape and the haircut from surgery isn’t quite in style – especially considering all the detangling that was required after 10 days under her surgery hat… dreadlocks are in right? But her smiles are still so beautiful!
Kirk and I are very thankful for our friend from church Karen, a nurse here in St Joe. She met us in Chicago with her husband and two sons in tow (they went to the zoo) to learn the injection procedure with us so that we’ll have a backup here in town. We have had so many blessings along the way and Karen has been added to that list!
Once again Ella was a trooper – she did cry, pretty hard, but I am attributing that more to the lack of a nap before the appointment than to any real discomfort. She was really mad about the numbing cream rubbed on the injection ports; maybe it was cold? But once the gel was in place she played happily for about 30 minutes while we waited for it to kick in and while the nurse was reviewing the procedures with us. And she did not cry during the actual injections so we know that she should do fine when we are on our own. Kirk was amazing to – he is an incredibly loving father and while it hurts his heart to push a needle into Ella’s head, he is strong and steady; instilling confidence and faith in both his girls!
When we came home I walked into our kitchen and smiled at the beautiful vase of flowers brought to me earlier by my friend Miss Barb (Ella’s part-time therapist, friend, and now babysitter – if she’ll come back after Ella’s afternoon of tears this week!) It lifted my spirits, and I needed that!
Ella did finally get a good nap on the way home and she ate a big dinner – bigger than she has all week! Maybe the medications upset her tummy? Or maybe it was just all her struggling to avoid taking them that messed with her appetite. But luckily now that the drainage tubes are out she no longer has to take them, and Kirk and I (mostly Kirk) no longer have to wake her at 1am to force them into her.
After dinner we took a short family walk and Ella laughed and smelled all the flowering bushes in our yard! She giggles when we laugh at her efforts to snort air in and out her nose! We shared some ice cream, and gave Ella a bath… at long last we have washed her hair! That made mom feel better too.
So now Ella is sleeping peacefully, and Kirk and I are relaxing together, happy knowing that all is well with our beautiful girl!
Tags: Church, Ella, Expander, Friends, Hair, Nevus
April 24th, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Beautiful post! Tears here! Oh, and bless Ms. Barb! Hugs to our girl!!
April 24th, 2008 at 10:37 PM
So glad to get your update, had been thinking about you 3 and wondering how things were progressing. God will keep you in his tender care, am positive angels are all around Ella during this “healing” time. Bless you all!
Love you!
April 24th, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Hello to all! Loved the sniffing flowers comment. It takes them so long to figure out how to “sniff in”! I remember those days. You are in our prayers always. Give that little angel girl loves from us!
Dan, Connie & Ana
April 25th, 2008 at 6:53 AM
Thanks for sharing how things are going. I can imagine the courage and strength required as you take these steps; you have our admiration and continued prayers. Ella is beautiful.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:57 AM
May our Faithful Lord continue to hold you all in His Holy Healing Hands and give you assurance daily that your precious Ella is SAFE and receiving His BLESSINGS! She is so beautiful and praying for her HAPPY HEART to be there through all of this. So thankful for your faithfulness to update!
April 25th, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Hi Kirk & Bonnie, Thank you for sharing your life with us.”"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Hang in there- You are super parents!
April 25th, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Ella,Glad to hear you are doing so well. You have a wonderful Mommy and Daddy, just like me <wink>. I hope you are feeling up to a play date soon as I want to go, “bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye…” (I say it 30 times or more when I tell my Mommy). Hugs to you!Ryan DolezanTeam T21
April 25th, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Smiles comes to mind when you think of Ella, and love and support when you think of mom and dad, she is the best little girl, even when tears are there. May the lord continue to bless all of you, and thanks for taking time to share this journey. I can’t wait to come back and visit with Ella, she continues to grow in her spirit, joy and life because of her great parents and the love of God.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Thank you so much for the update. I have been praying for you and wondering how you are holding up. It sounds like you are all doing great. Stay strong and steady. Those of us out here all send our best wishes that Ella will stay strong and healthy.
April 26th, 2008 at 2:04 PM
So glad things are going well. Thanks for the news. Thinking of you always.
April 27th, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Wow, what a real blessing you got in Ella and it seems to expand by leaps and bounds around her. Then to, to ’share’ it all with us and makes the ‘blessings’ go world wide. Thanks for updates and all the ‘good news’. Kirk and Bon you got to be the BEST for what you are doing each and every day…..its so wonderful to hear of your patience, lovingness during all this; not sure I or we could have endured as you guys have…….Diane