Halloween Fun

Even though Elena couldn't go trick or treating this year, both she and Liv made the most of it. 

Elena made a mask to wear and dressed up for pictures. Liv said she would take two bags and collect candy for Elena.

 

Hope you enjoy the pics!

 

 Two temporary visitors to our home

 

 Mummy dogs for dinner - with homemade chili!

 

 Ready for a fun night with friends!

 

 Perhaps the best part of the night - sorting candy!

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Day + 97

As you can clearly see by the lack of blog posts, we are settling in to our new life at home together. This recovery phase is definitely different and a little strange. We are so thankful to be HOME, but Elena's day is far from normal. Things like masks, isolation from visitors, no outings, OCD handwashing, flushing her central line, changing her line dressing, and setting timers to give medications on time around the clock all remind us that we still have a ways to go before we are done.

Some of you have asked why Elena has so many restrictions now that she is home. Basically while Elena is on immune supressing drugs and her body is trying to rebuild and recover, she is especially vulnerable to infections - viral, fungal, and bacterial.  These can range from mild to life-threatening.  It is critical that we take extra percautions to protect Elena from the germs that are around us all the time in the environment, on food and spread by animals and people. So everything that Elena can't do - go to school, church, stores, movies, resturants, eat anything prepared by anyone other than ourselves, and go outside without a mask, are all things we have to do to protect Elena. While these changes are restricting and can be frustrating at times, they are all things that are necessary for her recovery.

With all that Elena can't do, we are LOVING what we can do! Cooking at home, eating meals together, watching movies, decorating the house for fall, playing games, organizing all of Elena's new craft and scrap booking materials, sleeping in our own beds and more! Even mundane things like taking care of the house and laundry are welcomed after life has been so abnormal for so many weeks!

At Elena's last appointment, they told us she didn’t have to come back to the clinic until Monday, November 5th.  So, we will continue to enjoy these days at home.

Thank you for praying and believing!

In Him,
The Tates

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Day + 92

Today is the 3 month anniversary of Elena's bone marrow transplant!  Wow!  We are in awe of God's amazing love and grace and we give Him all of the praises and glory for Elena's continued healing. 

We also praise Him for a great clinic visit yesterday.  Elena's red and white cells have gone up and her platelets are holding steady.  She feels good and continues to work on her strength and stamina by walking and exercising.

Elena's next clinic visit will be on Nov. 5th, day +103!!!  She will have blood work done to check counts and the status of the CMV virus.  She will then have a CT scan to check her lungs for any sign of infection.  Please pray for the CMV to remain undetectable, for Elena's counts to continue to rise, and for the CT scan to show all organs clear of any infection. 

Praying and believing!

In Him,
The Tates

"...Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."   Eph 5:19-20

Day + 88

Twelve and a half weeks post transplant finds us settling in to our new routine at home for this phase of our lives, and we are loving every minute of it!  This is what we have been praying and hoping for over these last several months, and now we are living it! Praise God for answered prayers!

Elena is doing well physically and emotionally.  She is working hard to regain her strength and stamina by taking walks and doing other exercises.  She loves to plan meals and help to prepare them.  She is keeping up with her school work with the help of the home bound teacher, and can't wait for the day that her isolation restrictions are relaxed so that she can do even more.

Olivia has begun her second nine weeks at school.  She ended the first nine weeks with great grades and perfect attendance.  She is also enjoying dance class and chorus during the week.  In December, her fifth grade chorus group will be performing at a Gwinnett Gladiators ice hockey game and at the state capitol.  On weekends she likes playing outside and hanging out with Elena.  She has been very understanding about the fact that we can't go places and do certain things as a family right now.

Elena's clinic appointment is on Wednesday this week.  Please pray for continued healing for her body.  Pray for the CMV virus to remain undetectable and for her counts to continue to improve.

Praying and believing!

In Him,
The Tates

"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  Psalm 25:5

Day + 83

We found out today that the CMV virus was not detected in Elena's blood yesterday!  We are rejoicing and praising Him over and over again!

Elena will now only have to receive the antiviral infusion medication once a day instead of twice. Another HUGE step toward her complete and total healing!

We are going to bed tonight praising God for His continued blessings of improved health for Elena and thanking Him for each of you.

In Him,
The Tates

"I will praise you. O Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."
Psalm 9:1-2

Day + 82

Happy Monday!  Sorry that it has been so long since our last update.  We've had quite a bit of catching up to do around here, doing all of the things we haven't been able to do for the past 87 days.  We have been hanging out and enjoying being together. It has been so nice all being in the same place at the same time.  This weekend was the most wonderful weekend we can remember!
 
We have also been trying to settle in.  We are having to adjust schedules, organize medical supplies and medications, and coordinate Elena's three infusions around our work schedules. While there have been some challenges, it is definitely better figuring it all out from HOME than from any where else!
 
Thank you so vey much for your prayers!  Please continue to pray fo Elena's complete and total healing. We will update more this week after we hear what Elena's CMV levels are.

In Him,
The Tates

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens ..." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Day + 77

HOME SWEET HOME

Tonight words can't begin to describe how we feel.

Here's a tiny glimpse into our day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saying bedtime prayers together and

tucking in both of our girls tonight

was absolutely wonderful!!

 

Thanking God for His faithfulness!

Praying for His continued protection over Elena and each of us.

 

"I will praise you. O Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."

Psalm 9:1-2