Hey everyone! I am sorry I haven't been posting on here lately. I spend most of my internet time on my iphone and it won't let me post. We just got internet set up at our new house so I took some time while Ella is napping to update ya'll!
The transplant coordinator called this morning to tell me that the donor they found said that they would particiate and go forward with the donation. Thank you God!! So they picked the date of December 6th to have their procedure done. So that means December 7th is the expected date of transplant! WOW! I can't believe its so soon! I was a little taken aback but I am ready to get my little girl healthy!
So alot of you probably don't know how a bone marrow transplant works so I am going to tell ya'll what the process is. First off I had no idea how a transplant worked before all of this. I thought it was a surgery. Well its not at all. It's like a blood transfusion. It will go in her central line just like blood would. We will be sitting there with her as it takes place. The doctors told us we will be admitted into the hospital about 8 or 9 days before the actual transplant. That is so they can give her a high does chemo to knock out all of her bad cells so that the transplant can take. Those will be trying days because the chemo brings on many side effects. Then she will recieve the transplant. The days after we have to be very careful because she is very susceptible to illness because her immune system will be totally wiped out. She will be on alot of antibiotices to prevent that from happening. The doctors told us to expect to have to stay in the Birmingham area for 100 days after the date of transplant. 30 of those days will be in the hospital.
So we will spend Thanksgiving at our new house and then will start to prepare to leave for Birmingham the following week. We will more than likely spend Christmas in the hospital but Dustin and I have talked it over and it really doesn't bother us at all! We just want to have many many more Christmas's with Ella. That is all that matters. Luckily Dustin's work is letting him work from there. We are so lucky for that! I don't know what I would do without him! Thank you all for the prayers! Keep them coming, we will need them now more than ever in the next few months! I just want to also say that all of you are amazing women! I have heard more encouraging words from all of ya'll and I thank you for that!
Oh and if ya'll have any questions about the process or anything just ask me! I don't mind at all! Lots of my friends are asking alot of questions and I am glad to be able to educate them on something I am about to go through!
Re: We have a date for transplant!!! (LONG)
I completely agree with Candi! I am thinking of you guys and praying for all of you over the next few months.
I live in Birmingham, and have spent a lot of time at Childrens with my sister. Please let me know if you need anything during your stay here!
Oh that's wonderful news. I'm so glad that this is all coming to head and that your precious Ella is going to feel better and finally be a healthy little girl.
You're so brave and strong Kellie and Ella is lucky to have you and Dustin as parents. While you guys are in the Bham area, please don't hesitate to ask for anything, there's so many of us in Bham that we'd be able to do anything you guys might need us to do.
Thanks guys for all the sweet comments!!! I really appreciate it!!
I may have to take up some of your offer for food. You all know hospital food can get old after awhile! Hahaha!
I also meant to add in my orginal post that I will probably be setting a caringbridge site soon so that I can keep everyone updated on what is going on with Ella. Whenever I get it set up I will send ya'll the link!
That is such great news! I'm sorry that you'll have to be in Birmingham for so long, but it's wonderful that we have such an amazing hospital here in the state that has been able to do so much for Ella. Y'all are all in my prayers daily.
I'm in Birmingham and I work downtown so if you need ANYTHING please don't hesitate to let me know. My email is amelia dot mylastname at gmail dot com or you can just send me a FB message
I'd love to bring y'all some food or run errands for you, or just whatever you need.
Ella's such a strong little girl, but it's no wonder since you're her mommy!
Thank God! That's awesome news Kellie
And yes, please take us up on the food offers-I just made a really yummy beef taco casserole in the crockpot today and there's a number of other foods I'd like to try out too. I'll definitely be praying for Miss Ella-the transplant, for the surgeons and caretakers involved, and of course for your family.
The Baby Blog.
Continued t&ps with all of you! I'm so glad you have a plan and everything has worked out. Thank you for updating us!