Extraordinary Happenings
So much has happened since the last
post! Most of it has been on the side of “fun”, although some of
the medical stuff for Emily has been more on the side of “not so
fun”. LOL.
I had a care conference with many of
Emily's specialists in March and that was successful and interesting.
The biggest things were to get a higher percentage of her team to be
more aware at a higher percentage of time and iron out some kinks
with systems like, ER visits, admins, medications and the ongoing
“stuff” that it takes to keep things running more smoothly than
not with Emily and make it so I can be more of her mommy, rather than
the orchestrator of everything inpatient and out.
Little Giants participated for the
first time in the Gretna Biz Fair and I felt that it was very worth
while and a great opportunity to visit with our community and spread
more awareness of Emily and her disease #SIOD.
Emily has of course been continuing her
aquatherapy and horse therapy, along with her monthly infusions and
labs. She even got to try out some ballroom dancing for free for a
few sessions and really enjoyed it!
Emily is still fighting the fungal
infection in her lungs and continues to be monitored for that. We
also got her sleep study results back and in addition to her apnea
episodes( which were enough to warrant need for treatment, but not
too terrible) she also presented – as I have recorded from home –
oxygen desaturations. We will be added a CPAP machine to her list of
nightly hook ups now as well.
And Emily and I flew out to Delaware
this past week to take care of things in regards to her skeletal
dysplasia and genetics issues. We of course stayed at the Ronald
McDonald House and saw old friends and made new ones! We have such
an interesting time out there and she doesn't ever want to leave.
Emily loves it for a few reasons, but only 1 that really matters as
her mom, “because there are other kids here like me, Mom!” No,
none of them have #SIOD, but they all face challenges, are unique and
been through serious shiz! It is really hard to do justice of what
it is like out there, but suffice it to say that people come from all
over the country and other countries to AI du Pont Children's
Hospital and to see Dr. MacKenzie and Dr. Bober! Colleen and Angie,
too the real brains behind them! (Love you gals) Practically
everyone, everytime, from all levels of staff & volunteers are so
warm, fun and friendly! The atmosphere is like no other we have
experienced.
Switching gears, we have been working
on as we do all year long, ways to raise awareness and funding for
LGF/SIOD. Most recently we designed Postcards and teamed up with
Gretna Public Schools and had them help us address them and we have
sent out the first wave across the USA in our Postcard Campaign. We
will be sending out another batch soon and then doing follow ups. We
have already received some donations and didn't even ask for them as
we are first educating on who we are!
We have had a #GIVE10 campaign going
on- $10 by 10,000 people over 100 days= $100,000 needed for a phase
of research! It officially “ends” April 12th, so keep
those tax donations rolling into
www.littlgiantsfoundation.blogspot.com
or send checks payable to Little Giants Foundation, 15603 Hwy 6,
Gretna, Nebraska 68028.
And, SAVE THE DATE! 9-17-17 4th
Annual Family Fun Trail Run/Walk & Kids Dash
Early Bird registration will be coming
out soon so watch for it on our FB pages @believeinemily and
@believeinlittlegiants
April is Donate Life Month! Emily and
Joe's Kidney Transplantaversary is next month! We have met so many
wonderful people in the transplant community! Many continued
blessings to you all and your loved ones with us now and forever in
our hearts! Please consider being an organ donor and a bone marrow
donor! Private message me, or text me if you need help on how or
need more info! 402-658-9624
