Made it to Cincinnati. We checked into our hotel for a few nights while we wait for a room to be available at the Ronald McDonald house. Special shout-out to Mr. Winkelman for his hard earned Marriott points! We often joke that he earns them and the girls’ and I spend them – but in reality, it’s not really a joke!! We are hoping to check into the RMH Saturday but there’s a chance it will be Sunday or Monday before a room opens up. We are just playing it by ear – if you know our family, you know this is not something we are good at but here’s to learning new things!

Avery had a pretty good day today overall. We all walked our Emmy to the bus stop this morning for a big “see you later” hug and then headed out for the airport. I’m having lots of feelings about being away from Emmy for so long but she’s going to have a fun few weeks hanging out with lots of people that love her and thank God for FaceTime. 

Avery did well on the two flights and is excited to sleep in! We are taking bets on who will sleep the latest tomorrow. Also, big news, Avery took her first Uber tonight from the airport! Big things happening in this girls life now that she’s 11 😉

Last night, she got to talk to a super sweet 12yo girl that had this surgery 7 months ago. It has been life changing for her and we are so so hopeful it will be as successful for Avery as it has been for her. She helped calm a lot of Avery’s fears and worries about various things which was so amazing. Avery said today that talking with another kid her age who has been through it was what she needed to be ready for Monday! We are so thankful for the pancreatitis community we are joining and everyone’s willingness to share ideas, experiences, and worries with us as we begin this next chapter. We hope we will have the opportunity to pass along all the love and support we have received, in the future. 

Today, we got our pre-op instructions for the next two days. It’s going to be a pretty laid back few days of getting her gut ready for surgery. Hoping for lots of movies and rest until Sunday. Last time she had to do a gut clean out, she requested to mix the medicine in Lemonade and hasn’t really wanted lemonade since… We will see what her “mixer of choice” is this go ‘round.

We have info coming about how/where to send cards, letters, etc. to Avery (and Emmy once she joins us). There are just couple more items I need to clarify with the hospital before we share. Hoping to have it all posted by Saturday. 

Katie