The day before Ellie’s diagnosis 3 years ago, I took her to
the mommy and me swimming class which we had attended for a few months and she
loved, but that swimming class was different. Jeff was out of town, and my good
friend had come with me so both kids could still swim. Ellie had loved the class and never
cried once, but that day she cried through the whole class. At the time I figured it was just
because Daddy wasn’t there. I
remember the whole day like it was yesterday, the yellow swim suit that she was
wearing, her big smile that was gone and my wondering what was going on. We got home, and as we walked in, our
neighbor’s son who was 15 at the time asked me what was wrong with Ellie’s eye. I told him that I thought it was
swollen from a bug bite. I had
felt something was wrong for several weeks, but couldn’t pinpoint it. I decided early the next morning to
take her in to urgent care, and that is when our lives were forever changed.
As I reflect back on those days of diagnosis three years
ago, I am forever grateful to be where we are now. Without modern medicine, an incredibly strong daughter who
had the will to live, the amazing community of friends and family who held us
up during those darkest days, and the grace of God we wouldn’t be where we are today.
This week Ellie earned her “stripe” ribbon in swimming. She’s been working towards this ribbon
for the better part of the year. To
earn it she had to tread water for 1 minute, swim 38 feet, dive down to six
feet from the middle of the pool, jump in without goggles, do a dive in, and
the one that held her up the longest, swim 16 feet underwater at the bottom of
the pool. We were blessed to have
an amazing vacation to Maui a few weeks ago, and most of the time was spent in
the pool or at the beach. Without
fail, every day in the pool, Ellie asked for the rings so she could practice
diving for them and swimming underwater.
Her determination and ability to continue to work hard at something
until she gets it is truly amazing.
Three years ago today, we had no idea what the future held
for our El-Belle, to be at the place we are now is truly the greatest blessing
ever. Sure, things could change
with one blood test, but for now we are living every day to the fullest and
enjoying every minute with Ellie and Timmy. To all our friends and family have supported us and continue
to support us on this journey, we are forever grateful.
Polly
June 2011
June 2014
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