i'll never say knock on wood again...

We spent the day in the ER, expected to be admitted but were able to come home tonight. (an early Christmas miracle ;)) LuLu has had a stomach bug that come day 4 today left her lethargic and dehydrated. Her liver team takes things like this very seriously as imbalances for her can cause big problems. After labs and more labs she was able to receive two rounds of IV fluids and we were released. My mom and I celebrated over diet cokes and Cheetos, she even let LuLu have a sip.

Highlight Reel from this ER trip:

1- going home after, that's never happened before

2-when the nurse was doing vitals and needing to look in London's mouth with her little light, LuLu stuck out her tongue and put the compressor down on it and said "ahhh." She loves opening them and playing with them so the timing was just perfect. (she'd opened about 50 before they came in, my mom and I kept throwing them away as to not leave any evidence behind, but she still had the one in her hand)

3-When they drew her blood (for the second time this week) she didn't flinch, make a peep, move her arm, squiggle or wiggle. The nurse was dumb founded. She was given the honorary best patient ever award--which is a bit sad to me but hey-- we'll take whatever accolades we can get. The scarring up and down her arms testify to all her practice.

4-The YUMMY sandwich and bowl-of-beets from the U of U's cafeteria. It is much (much) better than PCMC's. Make a mental note. And of course the Diet Cokes courtesy of our nurse.

We are extremely grateful to be home...there really is no place like it. Our new house really (and finally) feels like home-sweet-home.

On a different note our sweet, sweet friend Lydia is back in the hospital with serious complications that are any liver mum's worst nightmare. Please pray for them, send them your love and good energy. Be so grateful if you are a parent of healthy children, never, ever take that for granted because you never know if one day that may change.

http://www.lydiasliverstory.blogspot.com/

xoxo
lizzie

A day in the life of Lus and Lyds

Last bath with Bro-V. Will not miss our non-fun baths because of it. Soon LuLu and Jones can splash in the tub together, as little brothers and sisters should. It will be a momentous occassion.

Last picture of Lu with this flashy accessory. Here Daddy is saying goodbye for what we hope will be her last surgery EVER. Note to LuLu: this means no tonsils out, no horrible accidents-let's not even do stiches, no liver related re-do's and definitely never any elective surgery. Your MuM has worried enough about you for a few lifetimes.

After London was "out like a light" LITERALLY she was on one second and out the next, we went up to visit Lydia's family and bring them some well deserved comfort food in the waiting room. Even though we were meeting her Daddy Brian and her Grandparents for the first time, it felt like seeing family. They had to say two very tough see-ya-in-a-whiles today, here we found them shortly after Mum Jeanene's surgery began.... Little Lyds was tired, hungry and obviously uncomfortable-she was in great need of a new liver. :( She was on deck for a few hours- hangin' tough in the waiting room where the waiting would soon begin for her as well.

When we were paged overhead we rushed down to find a LIVELY Lu, chucking Cheerios, sipping juice, keeping several nurses entertained and busy. She was not one bit groggy, it was like she'd just slept all Winter and was ready for Spring. In actuality it was no more than an hour later. It always feels good to have her back in my arms where she fits so well. As soon as she was done being observed and vitals were good we took her up to say ta-ta to Lyds and let her family see what they can look forward to in a couple of months for Lydia.

I am delighed to say this family has a spectacular support system. Jeanene is one of 10 kids. Need I say more?

Lu nearly dove out of her wheelchair to get to Lydia...Sweet little liver sisters, they are. My mom joked that all these little girls should be college roommates one day. Never know.... Other MuM's: Barnums (my maiden)/Badgers are Utes through and through FYI

Dear Mr. White Bear,

Please make my little friend Lyds happy, if only for a moment today.

Sincerely...yours truly...my warmest regards,

London Kate Badger

Mission Accomplished.

All is well with MuM and Babe...See http://www.lydiasliverstory.blogspot.com/ for her Daddy's updates of today. YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR BRIAN!!!!!!!

Lulu's friend Lydia

Below is an email I received from LuLu's liver friend Lydia. (well her parents that is...) there are a few easy steps below that can be taken to help her parents win a contest at her daddy's work to earn $1,000 dollars that will be put towards her upcoming transplant. It's free, easy and safe. I know her mum personally and know this is legit. Please take the time for her this holiday season, it will take 2 minutes. Please pass this info along to your friends and family (cut & paste) through email...it would mean the world to LuLu! Thank you!!

Dear family and friends,

This year has been a trying year for us with our daughter Lydia. She is in need of a liver transplant. This will happen most likely in a few months.

The company I work for, called NexOne, is sponsoring a fun Christmas/ New Years challenge that ends on January 15th. The winner will recieve a cash prize of $1000. Right now we could use this money for help with the costs of the transplant.

For us to win this challenge between all the NexOne employees, we need to get the largest group of friends to register at a website called www.wishteller.com and either send us an ivitation to be their friend or accept us as their friend.

Wishteller.com is a website that was setup by my company just for this challenge. This is a completely legitimate website. All you have to do is register a username and invite me to be your friend or accept Brian Christiansen as your friend.

We would really appreciate if you would help us by forwarding this message to your friends and family for us and CC me on that email at cleadbc@gmail.com.

If you want to contact me my email address is cleadbc@gmail.com and I can give you more information.

Instructions for registering:

1. Please go to www.wishteller.com and click “Register” at the top of the page.



2. Enter a new username, your birth year, a password, and your email address. Then put a check mark in the “I accept the Terms and Conditions” field. Then click the “Create account” button.


3. Click on "ADD NEW FRIENDS" under the Quick Menu.


4. In the search for new friends search box just put in my name "Brian Christiansen" then click on the search button.


5. Then click on the "Invite" button next to my name.


6. I will accept the invitation as soon as I see them.


7. You are now done you can then close the webpage.

If you have problems email me at cleadbc@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Brian and Janene Christiansen (Layton, Ut.)