A corner has been turned and Ella's on the "straight" path to recovery. Her posture looks incredible as she sits in her wheelchair.
Before this post goes any further it's important to us to send out a thank you to all of you who prayed for, thought of, and supported Ella throughout the past month...there is truly power there.
Since we have been home the progression of her healing has been astonishing to watch. Upon arrival in Naperville every movement of hers was filled with pain from some part of her frail body. Sleeping, moving, changing diapers, and bathing took 3-4 times as long as they usually would have had there not been a surgery. Keeping up with the medication regiment was imperative yet came at a price...constipation...which of course has its own remedy; this remedy was fully implemented.
Each day we saw gains and losses in terms of how she felt and her pain level...two steps forward and one step back seemed to be the call. Amidst a lot of screaming and crying we managed to get through our days in time to prepare for the nights. Toleration of overnight liquid feeds, turning for optimum positioning, and changing soiled diapers became the protocol each night. Not to mention being woken by an alarm to administer overnight meds.
The corner she turned was never really in sight; the one that got the ball rolling for a smoother recovery...a predictable recovery---a recovery that took one step forward and had no steps back. Toileting became easier, underwear as opposed to diapers entered the scene; toleration of overnight feeds brought much needed nutrition to her body and her fight. Sleeping through the night gave her body a chance to heal and supplied her with the energy for the next day in order to participate in family fun.
She enjoyed spending time with family over the holidays. She beamed with pride when family members commented on her physical stature--namely straight! She loved the presents she got and always kept the real meaning of Christmas close to her heart.
I truly believe it was the time she had with family and friends, alongside the pouring out of thoughts, prayers and support that is responsible for a recovery such as this...
Thank you for turning Ella's corner with us...
Before this post goes any further it's important to us to send out a thank you to all of you who prayed for, thought of, and supported Ella throughout the past month...there is truly power there.
Since we have been home the progression of her healing has been astonishing to watch. Upon arrival in Naperville every movement of hers was filled with pain from some part of her frail body. Sleeping, moving, changing diapers, and bathing took 3-4 times as long as they usually would have had there not been a surgery. Keeping up with the medication regiment was imperative yet came at a price...constipation...which of course has its own remedy; this remedy was fully implemented.
Each day we saw gains and losses in terms of how she felt and her pain level...two steps forward and one step back seemed to be the call. Amidst a lot of screaming and crying we managed to get through our days in time to prepare for the nights. Toleration of overnight liquid feeds, turning for optimum positioning, and changing soiled diapers became the protocol each night. Not to mention being woken by an alarm to administer overnight meds.
The corner she turned was never really in sight; the one that got the ball rolling for a smoother recovery...a predictable recovery---a recovery that took one step forward and had no steps back. Toileting became easier, underwear as opposed to diapers entered the scene; toleration of overnight feeds brought much needed nutrition to her body and her fight. Sleeping through the night gave her body a chance to heal and supplied her with the energy for the next day in order to participate in family fun.
She enjoyed spending time with family over the holidays. She beamed with pride when family members commented on her physical stature--namely straight! She loved the presents she got and always kept the real meaning of Christmas close to her heart.
I truly believe it was the time she had with family and friends, alongside the pouring out of thoughts, prayers and support that is responsible for a recovery such as this...
Thank you for turning Ella's corner with us...
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