A Great Event in Evolution

I have never had so many different emotions crammed into my heart all at once like I did at the hospital. It was such a growing experience that I am truly thankful for it. So to borrow a phrase from my Myspace friend Jennifer (Eolin), here is how it all went down....

Wednesday...
I went in to the babies' room to get them up and Joaquin had peed the bed. Nice. I grabbed Elodie put her by the toys and gave him a quick bath. I heard miss fussing but I just thought it was because she was hungry. Nope, she had a major poo diaper blow out and was mad, because she went in her diaper. (she usually goes on the potty like a big girl) She had to have a bath too. Ugh. I don't know how they know but they always do this sort of thing when I am in a hurry. Camden came home after I got her out of the tub and he saved me, he got Joaquin breakfast so we could head out the door.

Usual stuff happened when we were checking in to the surgery department of Primary Children's. Waiting in a bunch of different room, saying the same story to a bunch of different people. It seemed to take forever. Elodie got some versed again, which is a very funny drug. She was so happy and giggly, all of the other kids and their families became her very best friends. She is a happy drunk.

Finally, I handed her off to the anesthesiologist, he was sweet, but had coffee breath (pet peeve) and my girl waved bye-bye. I felt so tense inside. I knew what was going to happen and knew that the doctors were extremely good and capable of everything they had to do, but I was so scared.

The biopsy was only supposed to take 2 hours, so when two hours came and went I started to feel sick. They have signs in the waiting area that say, "If you haven't heard about your child after an hour from the time stated, please speak with the clerk." By the time some one came to speak with us it was 4 hours. I was on pins and needles. What happened was the surgeon Dr. Rollins, took four different samples from the tumor, because the immediate pathology kept coming back as scar tissue with calcifications. The fast pathology test take 25 minutes to process. I just wonder what was going on in there while they were waiting for it to come back. Do they go online, do they read, do they dance what is going on while my baby is just there on the table waiting? When Dr. Rollins finally came to talk to us in the conference room, I instantly felt relieved. I didn't know the immediate results, but some how I knew she was going to be just fine. I danced when he left and Camden seemed to breathe for the first time. After our conference I went to see her in recovery. She looked so tiny in that crib. Every recovery bed was full, that was scary. I sat there and stroked my babies hair and began to feel so grateful for everything I have. I wanted to hug the family next to us, I don't know what surgery their baby had, but it was sad, she was coughing up something gross, and was so pale. I closed my eyes hard and thanked Elodie for her strength. We went up to her room after a half hour of recovery. Elodie was still sleepy, but she would open her eyes and look around for me. It was sweet.

That night was rough. The nurses had to come into come in every hour for vitals, Elodie was on a morphine drip so they had to keep a close eye. I was on a fold out recliner chair thing, for what it was it was pretty comfortable. But I didn't sleep. I felt that Thursday morning that I had hit the wall. I was so tired emotionally, I was tapping all the strength I had to continue to be a happy face for Elodie. I kept texting Camden, (he was home with Joaquin) how I was so lonely and felt I was on the edge of breaking down completely. He was trying his best to be encouraging, but it was really hard for me to be away from home and to have our daughter in this medical limbo.

Thursday...
The morning was pretty good for Elodie. She was sitting up, chatting and playing. She was eating her breakfast just like she always does, but this morning she had a chest tube. We played most of the day and she napped. She was so sweet to all the staff. I went home later that day and showered. It felt so good. I broke down in the shower and just cried. Cried that kind of cry where you know that afterward you are going to be a different person. A person with experience and a new beginning. I welcome cries like that, they opens me up so far that it feels as if I am turned inside out. Nothing can harm you when your heart is all the way open and willing to learn. I am learning and Elodie is my teacher. Camden's parents came into town on Thursday. We were and are so grateful for that. The kids just love them and they are a huge help to us. We wish they lived closer and could see the kids all the time.

Friday...
All the doctors came in to visit Elodie and give us the good news. The tumor is benign and is regressing. It is a weird type of tumor, leave it to us to have another freak disorder, but it is leaving her. It has caused some damage to her spinal cord, but with physical therapy we have hope that that can be rehabilitated. How well she walks will be up to her, so if you have ever met my girl, you know that she will be just fine. It may take awhile for her to catch up physically, but that is okay, she can take all the time she needs. She is so strong, she didn't even flinch when her chest tube was taking out. Amazing.

Saturday...
We are home of course and happily hung out with our family. Saturday was so great. We went to Camden's aunt's house in Heber for a BBQ. It was so nice to just chat with them and play. Camden's dad and uncle gave Elodie a blessing which was so sweet. It meant a lot to Cam's dad. We aren't religious people of course, but it is important to teach my children tolerance and acceptance of all people. That begins at home and accepting one's family first. I would never refuse love and positive energy being concentrated onto my children.

Sunday....
I am so grateful for all of you out there that sent Elodie your love and positivity. I will put up all the photos I took, but right now my computer and camera aren't cooperating. Maybe it will later today. My hubby is leaving on a business trip in Vegas, so I can't tell you how pleased I am that Elodie got to come home before he left. Phew. I have been so happy and in love with the world ever since the doctors said the word, BENIGN! Benign was like my morning breaking, like the first morning fresh from the word! Everyday is a glorious day and I hope to keep this feeling on for a long time to come. Thank you for your support and your love, it really helped me through. Family and friends that is what it all comes down to, that is all we truly have in this life. I love you, know you are loved.