Seattle Trip...

Just a quick note about Ella, Grandma Candy and I going to Children's yesterday...

For those of you who don't know: Ella Mae has Spina Bifida, a neurological defect of the spine that has resulted in her having no feeling or use of her legs from the mid-thigh/knees down, no bladder control and no bowel control. The prognosis of her being able to walk on her own is still debatable, although I think she will surprise us all. :o) Her challenges include living life with a shunt in her brain, still being in diapers and not being able to run & play like other 3 year old girls. Although this may sound terrible, you would never know such hurdles exist in her little life. She is the most joyful, tender-hearted and sensitive 3 year old I have ever met (a little mommy-bias showing there, sorry). The Lord has truly equipped our daughter with the heart and personality that could impact lives in the days to come. We pray she will grow in inner beauty and have a sensitive heart for her Lord...who has made her this way for a very important reason.

So, yesterday, Grandma Candy, Ella & I headed to "Children's House", as Ella calls it, to have a Urodynamics test and meet with her Urologist, Dr. Joyner. (He is a wonderful doctor who always wears a snazzy bow-tie). The test measures the pressure in Ella's poorly functioning bladder and rectal area...these are indicators of the health of the bladder and kidneys. Although, these muscles will never "wake-up" and "work right", it is still essential that they be kept as healthy as possible. That is done by daily medication, proper and frequent catheterization and her own healthy growth. The test takes 1 1/2-2 hours of laying on a bed while the nurses fill her bladder with xray die and take continuous xrays to monitor the bladder as it expands...twice.

Needless to say, she was an angel. She chatted with the two nurses, asking questions about their grandkids and just making conversation. She read and sat quietly, looking at pictures of her "tummy" up on the screen. She was teary a couple times, but quickly gained composure with a book or funny story from Grandma.

To save you from the medical mumbo-jumbo...all in all, the results were very encouraging. Her bladder is growing well and the shape of it is MUCH improved from 2 years ago (the last time she had the test). It is expanding well and the kidneys have no damage at this time. These are wonderful reports and we were so pleased.

So, we are thankful yet again to our Lord for protecting and providing for our daughter. He has been faithful every step of the way in her little journey of life. And I am confident He will continue to be that...faithful, bringing glory to Himself through her story. I am just happy to be a close observer of His work.

So, there's the "little" (got a little long, huh?) update on Miss EllaMae. She is a joy and a trooper. And man, this momma's heart is very proud of my girl.

And here's a couple pics of Miss Personality...enjoy.