Plasmapheresis and Mr. Toad???

Just a quick update on Emilie and her legs.  After an additional MRI, the neurology and oncology teams have found some inflammation on Emilie's spinal nerves.  She will be undergoing plasmapheresis which is a filtering of her blood to get rid of her antibodies that are attacking her nerves.  She will have her first treatment this afternoon in the pediatric intensive care unit (which she is not happy about because it is too noisy) and the following four treatments in her room (which may not be our room tomorrow).  She will also be getting another lumbar puncture and a new line in her neck so that the plasmapheresis can be run at a fast rate.  We are hopeful that this will restore her legs to "soccer status" and are glad that her bone marrow test came back "good" so that chemo can be pushed out a few days.

So that is where we are on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!
(The canine is an employee of LPCH and her name is Carly.  She is the sweetest dog ever and she knows exactly when Emilie needs a soft ear to rub!)

* 5 * Peeps * 12 * Times*

This is a project that I wanted to start long ago and being the very anal being that I am, I was going to start January 2011 seeing that I missed January 2010.  Kind of like starting a diet on Monday...pure kookiness!  So, thank you Tara Whitney for the inspiration to start "whenever".
Here is our "* 5 * Peeps * 12 * Times *" project for July 2010 and our new family motto: GET BUSY LIVING!

DNA, Bone Marrow and Frosting

In 2003, when I first found out that I was pregnant with #3, I was in total shock!  Two kids seemed just right and really, how in the world could a 40 year old be pregnant? (No need to answer, I finally figured it out.)  I accepted reality and trusted that God had a great plan in place.  I quickly fell madly in love with "Baby E".  After Nicolas' birth, we realized that our family of 5 was perfect!  We refer to Nicolas as "the frosting on our cake".  This morning, I received a patient family report for bone marrow transplant which, after blood draws, shows which family member would be the best bone marrow donor.  They gather this information early on in the event a bone marrow transplant is needed.  I've believed that God has a special plan for my kids.  Presently, it is looking like God has a great purpose for Nicolas as Nicolas' bone marrow would be the best match for Emilie.  When things seem crazy and out of control, God is always in control and has a purpose and plan for everything.  I'm blown away by how much God loves us and cares for us!

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.   Jeremiah 1:5

Before an architect constructs a building, he meticulously puts every detail on paper, every component needed to make his dream into a reality. The idea is first conceived in his mind, then is transferred on paper, and then when everything is just perfect, he starts the process of building his creation. In my own limited understanding of God's creation process, this is how I imagine it to be. He first conceived us in His mind, and with great thoughts of love, He began to chart every detail of our DNA in preparation for the time when he would form us in our mother's womb. What a wonderful thought, to know that the God of the universe knew us intimately and set us apart for His purposes even before we were conceived!

from Father's Love Letters