We are long past due to update our village on how our girl is doing. We do have some fun things to share, pictures of Eliana’s journey in SLC, and updates on my two favorite Liver-Givers! And where we begin with it all.. this time, is reminiscing and familiar feelings.

Recollect; remember (something); call to mind.

Eliana is doing great! Her Doctor said “this is how we want all our transplant kids to look right after transplant”, which is every parents dream. We of course, are adjusting her anti-rejection medications as we go (which will be a long term thing we do).. but we will continue to monitor her with continued weekly labs, and now bi-weekly clinic visits. Thats where the familiar feeling comes into play. It’s funny, no one can prepare you for how at-home you feel redundantly taking your sick child into the same hospital. What once was unfamiliar, overwhelming, anxious urgency, has now morphed into peace, ease, and routine. Our hospital, specifically the Lab now- gives hometown feelings. And I mean my small town in Kansas home-sentiment. You know the sentiment- the one where everyone knows every one. Going to the store (or just walking outside to the mailbox) you know you’ll run into familiar faces, and friendly acknowledgments. Eliana no longer cries for her lab draws.. she is a brave and strong girl.. we are so proud of her. I know she has a lifetime of lab pokes ahead of her.. but the unsung hero’s have been the familiar faces at the lab. Let’s face it, their job is probably the least fun.. dealing with unhappy, sick kids with little veins.. and unhappy, stressed parents with high expectations you land the poke the first time (..ill admit it.. me, I am among the masses of “what are they doing to my baby? is it hurting her? maybe i should step out next time..) however our silent champions through this journey from day in-patient one has been the IV team, and the phlebotomists. Bre, (we tell Elie “She is your poke-person”) we look forward to your cheery encounters, intentional work of drawing Elie’s labs, and genuine compassion and concern in how she is doing that week. Sam, we appreciate your warm greetings in the mornings..even though its bright and early.. RIGHT when you first open your doors to patients (we have to be there that early due to med schedules, or trust me.. we would all sleep in for the sake of all our sanity), you always say “Hi friend” or “you’re all set my friend” which makes us feel remembered and not just another number. Thank you for ensuring you have the correct orders/information prior to the poke. Tina, thank you for your expertise, your speedy precision and willingness to educate us parents. These are a few who have made our “second home” in the lab, an enjoyable one.

Resilience; the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

People say it all the time.. children are resilient. Yet, It is truly amazing how resilient, and adaptable they can be when it’s the only choice they have. No cries for blood draws, gaining great weight (we have been cleared to introduce fats back into her diet), in hopes her Chylous Leak complication has healed itself (only time can tell), and all the fun milestones she’s still achieving. Eliana has TWO bottom teeth, and is eating new solids and baby foods like a CHAMP. She is “DA-DA, DA-DA, DADA” all day long.. loud and proud! Her first word, “dada”.. almost like the perfect little “Thank you” to her Dad for the sacrifices he’s made in honor of her. Eliana is obsessed with her older brother and loves her Lola. We are so grateful she is here with us during this time.. we just couldn’t do it without her support in being the care-taker for.. really, all of us. Elie is now playing “peek-a-boo” by herself with whatever she can hold up over her head.. talk about cuteness overload. Our sweet 8 month old has what we like to call.. “Aggression, Affection”.. she will grab a loved ones face and “OMM NOMM” chomp, and munch on your face.. she won’t do it to just anyone.. but you will know if you’re a chosen one when she grabs a fist full of your face and open mouth comes in for the munch. It is unbridled love and happiness from a small human and I love this about her. Really, I feel like bracing ourselves for impact, but our prayers have been answered- and so far, Elie has had an uneventful post-transplant healing journey.

Recycle; convert into reusable material. Recycle..d Liver(s)

Ahh, and now some super exciting news.. if you remember.. or if you’re new here.. we were a part of our hospital’s first ever Living Donor Paired Exchange. Which means there was a swap of two living adult -donor livers, going to two children in need of a liver transplant. Four surgeries. Same hospital. Back to back days. Stellar, kick-butt surgeons and Liver Teams. UNOS recommends across the board that living donors/recipients if they choose to or have the desire to make contact/meet that it be 6 months post transplants. Due to the closeness and uniqueness of our story, we are granted the opportunity to meet in person towards the end of this month! Eliana’s donor AND Justin’s recipient and her family (Justin’s recipient, and our donor for Elie aren’t related but are neighbors)! I can’t wait to share more details with our COTA family after we do! We are so excited for this! Please pray for good health on every party’s account so we can ensure everyone is present for this opportunity. Thank you to every one who has supported COTA in honor of Elie thus far, and we will have some more fun fundraising efforts coming soon! We love and appreciate our village!!