Ellie update 1/24/25

 I want to start out by saying how grateful we are for all of the support. Primarily for all of the prayers. I know Ellie has so many people praying for her. We have also been blessed with meals which has been so helpful this week. I work late 3-4 nights a week and Mike usually has dinner for me when I get home. Dylan is also here with me this week, and I know he appreciates a hot meal. He’s taking 19 credits this semester and is very busy. Our church set up a meal train for us as we get adjusted to this new type of medical care life. 

I am thankful that Annie’s Disney trip was this week. She’s off having the time of her life and I don’t have to worry about her. We are truly blessed that our friends are taking such great care of her.

My brother Josh has been quite a prayer warrior for Ellie and checks in with me every day. I don’t see him as much as I’d like so it is nice to have that support. He and his family went and visited Ellie this week and they had a nice visit.  

My college friend, Jill, and her husband went and visited Ellie this week. Jill asked if I thought Mike or Ellie needed anything. I said yes, Mike needs a decent meal. For a hospital like Children’s, it’s amazing how horrible the food is and how very little choices they have! Jill and Jim stopped at Red Robin and got Mike a burger and brought it. He was very happy to eat something besides hospital food. 

Last night, I got home from work around 8 PM and discovered that my mom had come over and cleaned the house and done laundry. I am so grateful. I was able to get to bed and get some sleep. 

Yesterday, we got our first training on Ellie’s PICC line and her TPN. Anything healthcare is so foreign to me. I am a little nervous. I just want to make sure Ellie is safe and infection free. I texted a friend from church who is an RN. I asked her if she has a lot of experience with PICC lines. She said yes , but her husband , who is also an RN , actually trains nurses at the hospital where he works on the use of PICC lines , and is an infection prevention specialist at the hospital. She said she knows he’d come over and help anytime we needed. They live a couple miles down the road. I almost cried. This can only be God. Answering a prayer like that in a way only God could have so perfectly stitched together. 

 Ellie has been hooked up to her TPN, and they are increasing it slowly. Last night, she was very sick with nausea and diarrhea. I  read that this is a common side effect. Her body is just not used to this. Please pray that the doctors and nurses can get her symptoms under control. 

Today, I am taking a half day off of work and going to Pittsburgh to trade places with Mike so he can come home. We are  really hoping that Ellie will be able to come home this weekend. 

Someone had messaged me and asked about an Amazon wish list. I made a family wishlist that has some medical supplies and things that would bless our family. Please do not feel like you have to get anything at all. I just made it because someone asked. 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1BHXYI82KPQ6R?ref_=wl_share

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers !