The Goodwins

Status update: The bubbles are in and growing.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with our saga of Ella’s bubbles, I thought I’d spout a little history for you…

Ella was born with a giant nevus (large hairy mole) on her scalp which carries a significantly higher risk of melanoma than an average person would carry. Ella’s nevus covered the front left quarter (at least) of her scalp and part of her forehead. Last spring/summer we went through our first round of tissue expanders and plastic surgery to create new skin and remove the mole. While we know the reason for doing it is good, it’s just plain no fun. Of course Ella bounces back to her happy self much quicker than Kirk or I.

Ella’s most recent surgery (see previous posts) was to put in the 2nd round of tissue expanders… hopefully they are also her last, but we won’t be completely sure of that until the plastic surgery at the end of April.

The tissue expander process involves the placing of two surgical plastics balloons under her skin (basically breast implants!) which are then expanded with weekly injections of saline to stretch the skin. Ella’s newest “bubbles” are placed on the right of her forehead (to make skin w/o hair) and on the back left of her scalp (to create skin with hair). We visited Chicago last week for her first injection, and today Kirk started the process of doing them at home… he will be stressed out for the next two months, so if you see him please be nice!

If you saw Ella last summer and remember how big her bubble got you’ll be happy to know that this rounds should be a bit smaller (although there are two instead of one). The first round involved a 350 ml expander, which was capable of holding up to 500 ml. This round involves 250 ml expanders that can go up to about 350+ ml or so. We’ll see how they grow.

So, it is officially March which means less than two months left until plastic surgery… so close and yet so far away!

And as a very important p.s. Ella adores her little brother Justice, and we are incredibly happy as a family of four!

He’s so cute!

Heading home.

Bob and Larry can still make anything better!

Kirk is with Ella in recovery and all is well! Justice and I will see her soon… Thank you for all the love and prayers.

Merry Christmas to all…

Santa, can we be friends?

We have had a wonderful and relaxing day!

Our first Christmas at home in MI.

While Kirk and I didn’t feel the real holiday spirit right away (without our family around, with all the daily grind,  doctors appointments and surgeries) we have had a very happy day! Ella enjoyed opening all her presents (I think there are 3 left she must be saving for tomorrow). She’s really got this unwrapping thing figured out, and is all smiles with each new gift!

We ended our family day with a very yummy meal completely prepared by a thoughtful husband (all mine!). I happily cleaned up singing along to Christmas songs and smiling the whole time. Soon we’re (Kirk is) off to give Ella a bath and maybe early bed as she skipped a nap today, and then Kirk and I can relax in front of the fire… sigh.

Last night we had a visit from Santa and his elf (Miss Barb, our friend/teacher/babysitter has a personal connection). Ella was unsure so Santa kept his distance and kept inching closer until they were almost touching – very cute! You can check out all the pictures at

http://ellagoodwin.com/main.php/v/2008+Photos/A+Visit+from+Santa/

(Remember to click on the picture to see bigger images.)

So from a very happy house we send Christmas blessings to all our friends and family – we hope your day was as beautiful as ours!