15 March Update
Ellie is 5 days post ICU and everyone is thrilled with her recovery. Her rash has drastically improved first and foremost! Her white blood cells continue to rise and her neutrophils continue to improve but in a slow up and down trend. Platelets continue to vary. She has a nasogastric (NG) tube in and continues to adapt to that. The aim is to get off of the TPN (IV food) and only be fed through the NG tube plus any oral intake that she can tolerate. (Side note: Auntie Jen got her to eat 3/4 of a spring roll last night!). The team have dropped her antibiotic and will be dropping the fentanyl PCA soon. They are also aiming to change some of the meds from IV to oral in preparation of going home for a few days, when she is ready! Not yet, but we have it in our sights.
Her hair loss continues and we may start to try a few cute head scarves or little wraps. I’m buying all sorts of options but it’s entirely up to her with what she feels comfortable wearing...maybe nothing at all.
Ellie is doing GREAT with her mouth care and Paul, Jen and I are very proud of her. She understands the importance of it now as we have showed her before and after pictures. She does it 3 times a day. She’s also able to get up and walk small distances, like to the bathroom, and we are encouraging her to keep it going.
The main struggle we are facing now is her mental health and keeping her in a good mental place. She looks vacantly off into the distance a lot and doesn’t want to do any of the myriad of activities we have on hand or to talk to really any of us. She maybe speaks an occasional word here or there. So, we have lots of talks about the importance of staying strong in our minds as well as doing the physical things that are important. I was able to encourage her to color a few things and she is now watching Peter Rabbit :) And, we have been FaceTiming a lot more and Ellie is really starting to enjoy it and has given up quite a few smiles, especially when she got to join in on Annabelle’s birthday sleepover party on Saturday night or when seeing Grandma Carter’s crazy puppy Lily on FaceTime. 馃槂
Comments (9)
Hi Kara tell Ellie I am very proud of her. To keep the good work. She can do this. It is not easy but she is strong and we are all praying for her fast and total recovery. Kara I hope you received my email with the gift certificate from Shutterfly maybe she would be interested doing something like that and get you all involved, when she is ready for it. Thank you for posting I know is a lot going on and we definitely understand. Is good to hear things are moving along. Hugs and kisses now I will go to sleep thanking God for this progress. Besitos preciosa Ellie. Hugs for all of you 😘🤗
Hi Maria, yes, we did get your lovely gift certificate, thank you! I wrote you back, replied to the Shutterfly email, but I don鈥檛 think it went through. That is such a thoughtful gift and I can鈥檛 wait to be able to do that with Ellie 鉂わ笍
This is great news. Progress! Well done team Carter! A big family effort. Ohhh if you like the idea of wearing head scarves Ellie, there鈥檚 a brilliant shop around the corner from us that I can go in and grab some for you. Big hugs 鉂わ笍😘😘
Thanks for sharing this encouraging news, Kara. We keep you, Paul, Annabelle and of course Ellie in our thoughts and pray that she will be able to spend a few days at home soon. Love to all.
So happy to hear good progress! Continuing to pray and think of y鈥檃ll often 💕
Amazing news! Hearing Ellie鈥檚 progress brought tears to my eyes. I imagine after all she is going through, she will be able to face any challenges life throws her. Love and hugs Kara to you and your beautiful family!
Wonderful news.
So proud of you Ellie. What an an incredible little girl you are 💕 we are sending all our love xxx. Sue and Jon
Out of the ICU and improving rash are both great news! I hope her blood count continues the upward trend! I think of you guys every morning when I wake up and say a quick prayer. Thank you for posting. It helps me worry a little less. I love you guys!