Grace...Literally

This Monday we had to admit Miss Evie to the hospital due to elevated enzyme levels from her liver.  Evie gets her blood drawn and analyzed every 3 or so weeks, so we were made aware as the enzymes slowly climbed and the fact that doctors wanted to admit her wasn't a surprise, hard to hear, but not a surprise.  So we packed up shop and headed back down to Cleveland Clinic's main campus.  This time we were admitted to the general pediatrics wing of the hospital.  Evie was there mostly to be monitored as the doctors tried to figure out what was causing the elevated enzyme levels.  At first it was suspected it was the anti-viral we were giving her to fight the CMV.  That was quickly ruled out.  Infectious disease then thought it was the anti-seizure med, neurology didn't think so, "We've never seen this medicine do that" we were told by Neurology.  ID came back, "we're pretty sure it's the anti-seizure med".  Enter Peds "Evelyn is doing great from our standpoint, do you guys have any questions?"  Us "somebody needs to figure out what the F our daughter needs and do it."  Now, to be fair, we have been so fortunate to have great care for Evelyn.  The doctors she sees are some of the best in their fields and we are extremely grateful for all their work...it's just sometimes, we would like for them to communicate with each other a tad better.

Alright back to Miss Evie.  After coming off the anti-seizure med, the first blood test we took showed a decline in her enzyme levels and so the doctors agreed that she should come off that drug.  Ok problem solved right...well, not so fast, now we needed to find another med to help control her seizures. Fortunately the doctors were able to quickly agree on a drug, administer it to Evie, confirm that it worked and the discharge papers were written & executed.  After a 52 hour stay Miss Evelyn Grace was back on her way to Westlake.

We said & we knew from the beginning that there would be a lot of great days and some tough days with Evie as she fights her way through all this.  Without a doubt she has had many more wonderful days than tough days.  And when I say tough days that is more from mine and Kristen's point of view because Evelyn just keeps on rolling.  6 months ago if someone would've tried to convince me I could be inspired by a 5 month old's toughness & grace I would've thought them to be a little silly.  Now...I find it utterly impossible to be anything but inspired by my daughter.  Life dealt her a tough start, yet with every day that passes she laughs and smiles more than the previous day.  She has so far refused to let any of the hurdles in front of her keep her down.  Everyday she gets bigger, she gets stronger...she just keeps rolling.  Kristen used to be toughest girl I know...step aside babe, there is a new chick at the top.

Love you Evelyn Grace...you are an amazing little girl.