Eli's Girl

It's February Eve

Hi everyone, long time no post. I wanted to wait until I had some updated info to share. Today Elijah had his catheter put in place for his stem cell transplant. It went relatively well, except for the part when he woke up during the procedure because the anesthesia wore off. Needless to say, he had some choice words for all within earshot. Upon realizing he could feel the doctor shoving the catherter in the veins in his neck his "locker room" mouth came out of hiding. That would explain why the doctor looked so shaken when he came to get me after the procedure was over. (lol) Fortunately, the pain has subsided and the "locker room" mouth can retreat for another long hibernation.

We met with his main doctor this afternoon and he explained, in detail, what Elijah would be facing with the transplant. Of course Mr. Alexander's whole attitude was, whatever, let's just get this show on the road. Doc said Elijah's, lungs, liver, heart and kidneys functioning perfectly. He even said his kidneys are actually working above normal. After the transplant we just have to make sure he is careful to not be around any bad germs so that his immune system can come back strong.

Today I had a brief moment (in between dr.'s appts.) when I started feeling bad about our boys having to deal with this at such a young age. God sure has a way of gut checking you when you need it. About 10 minutes after I was wallowing in my self-imposed pity party I heard my computer say *ding*, indicating that I had a new e-mail. I saw that it came from L'il Eli's room mom so I clicked on it assuming she'd be telling me what I needed to bring for whichever party they're having this month. Sadly though it was an e-mail informing the parents that the father of a fourth grader in another class had passed away from cancer yesterday. I remember when he was diagnosed the year before. So after I stopped crying for this family I realized how lucky we are to still have Big Eli here. We're lucky that he's responding so well to the treatment. We're lucky that he's strong enough to go through this transplant which WILL put the cancer into remission for, prayerfully, several years. We're lucky that we have so many friends and family that are stepping up to the plate and helping us. We're lucky that we have so many people praying for us. We're lucky that we're learning how precious life is and not to take things for granted because none of us are promised tomorrow.

February is the month that will get my husband back on track. Come March he'll be getting back on his feet. It's funny how things work out. He's on pace to be full strength come football season. I know he looks forward to donning the purple and silver and leading his little Wildcats back to the championship. I'm just ready to see him feeling good and off medication. I'm ready to see his swagger full-time and not just on good days. I'm just ready.

I want to end this entry with an update from Erin about her marathon she ran in honor of my husband and Cecilia Romanski, enjoy...

Hi all

I just want to send a note of thanks for the support you all gave for the P.F. Changs Marathon in Arizona. We alll survived,had a lot of fun and finished at or better than our goals. It was very emotional. I cried for the first two miles until I finally got ahold of myself. It seemed almost everyone was running for someone. People had written names on their arms and legs and had pictures of their loved ones pinned to them.I was nervous that I might not finish the race.Then I realized what I was doing was so very insignificant compared to what Cecilia and Elijah and their families have already been through and a strange calm came over me.I knew I could do it.I thought a lot about the two families during the race, especially at mile 17,18 and 19 when the pain started to set in.I felt strong and proud to be helping in some way no matter how small. So I thank all of you who donated or reached out to someone who is in need.I feel for me the race has really just started and I can continue to reach out and make a difference and let The Romanski and Alexander families know we are here for them.

Sincerely

Erin Bresnahan.