Tuesday November 13th, 2012- Port Removal!

Today Ella had the port removed from the left side of her chest!

We arrived promptly at 9:30 am at the hospital for surgery, than sat there until noon.  So frustrating.  Ella had not eaten and she kept saying "This is the worst day ever!"  I sent a message to our child life specialist Megan for back-up.  Ella had run through all the things we brought to keep her occupied so it was Megan to the rescue.  She came into the Pre-Op area and talked with us while Ella played her new game.  Ella started getting scared and nervous and didn't want to take the medicine that helped her relax.  Then Megan started playing I Spy with her and she even sat in the bed and rolled into the operating room with Ella because I wasn't allowed to go back that far.

Megan and Ella playing I Spy and rolling down the hall

The anesthesiologist swore she would not remember that I wasn't there, but wouldn't you know it, as soon as she got out she started hitting me in the butt and yelling that I wasn't there with her. She is too smart for those drugs.  She cried and was very upset for 45 minutes after she came out of surgery.  It took 4 grape popsicles to calm her down, and then she had to take more medicine which upset her again.  Eventually we calmed her down, changed her into her new Brave nightgown and left for home.

Ella and Daddy Pre-Surgery

A couple people have asked us if we are glad that it's "over".  Having the port removed was definitely a milestone, but Steve and I both agree that this doesn't feel like it is "over" yet.  Not because we think she will get cancer again, but because it will still play a roll in our lives for sometime still.  We are in a couples group and we are reading a book on living without Fear (Fearless by Max Lucado).  It is very timely for us right now. We still have 5 years of clinic visits and blood test results to get through before Ella is officially cured.  For us, it just doesn't feel that "over" yet.

In about 2 week, Ella will have the opportunity to go on a Disney Cruise.  It is with much gratitude that the Make A Wish foundation is giving our family this opportunity to spend together and re-bond.  I think it will also give us our first taste of "Normal" in over two years.  I am really looking forward to the 4 of us being able to just be together as a family and laughing and enjoying each others company.  My baby gets to go swimming, and I don't have to worry about the water.  I can buy fresh flowers, and have them in my home again.  I can learn to let her have a cold and wait for her body, her amazing body, to just heal itself.

Momma and Ella Post-Surgery

 Thank you again for all your prayers.

Blessings~Katie