| It's hard to believe it's been a month since our last post. We always have good intentions about keeping this updated, but fall short - thank you for sticking with us and continuing to keep Ella in your prayers even when we don't update! As we noted, Ella was really struggling at the end of Nov/beginning of Dec. We were immensely blessed when our radiologist at Duke agreed to re-radiate. Initially, we were told Ella had had her lifetime dose of radiation in '08. However, there is a study out of MD Anderson that shows in some cases a little more is tolerated and it can provide some relief. Since more than two years had passed since Ella's first radiation it was agreed that she was a candidate for this. So, Dec. 13-23, Ella received 10 radiation treatments (a third of the dose she had in '08). As with the first go around, she tolerated this really well and by the second week we began to taper her off the steroids. One of the most touching Christmas gifts we received was a card from the kid's school that said the faculty and all of Ella's classmates had held a 24 hour prayer vigil for Ella - all taking turns in the Adoration Chapel. What a powerful, and much appreciated, gift. Ella is doing really well. She is pretty much back to her old self - sassy and full of life. We praise God for the restoration that has taken place, and for what we hope is yet to come. We ask that you keep two other sweet girls and their families in your prayers - Meg Wasley (www.caringbridge.org/visit/megwasley) and Alexis Agin (www.caringbridge.org/visit/teamalexis). As always, thank you for being beside us through this journey. We hope 2011 is full of blessings for each and every one of you. Love, |
Update on Ella Newmiller / 2 new prayer requests
