Hello Everyone!  First Bria and I would like to say thank you for all the prayers! I know I'm a little late in the update but we were released on Friday December 15th.  It was a scary feeling for both Bria and myself for different reasons.  Bria was scared to come home because she does not want to go back and be stuck again! I was worried because this in reality just sucks as Bria reminded me one day.  

We did a multitude of tests on her again and are still awaiting to do more testing.  She had an MRI on her kidneys to ensure that there is no damage from the E Coli infection and the very strong antibiotics she is on.  Her kidneys are fine and functioning properly.  She had several ultrasounds to check if she is able to completely empty her bladder and is doing much better after being shown how to sit differently and also do some different calming exercises to relax the pelvic muscles.  We learned that the bowel still has very old fecal matter that needs to come out.  

Children's Hospital is a totally different world and a very different kind of care than anyplace I have ever been.  We realized that there are many kids like Bria and we are not alone.  We learned that you can look great on the outside but inside there are problems aplenty.  Because we were confined to our room because of contact precautions we found many things to do in the room,  Connect 4, UNO, and Bria got to play BINGO every day at 2pm.  I will tell you there were some very competitive games and we kept ourselves busy. 

We go back to CHOP on January 4th and see our team of doctors in the NEBULA Clinic and will discuss different steps we are going to take.  We have PT and OT,  she will be seeing a gastro psychologist so she can vent her frustrations about having these things happening to her.  We have a series of x-rays to do after Bria takes a capsule that has nuclear markers in it that will show us the travel path of her poop through the bowels.  I'm nervous about the test because that means no washouts for an entire week.  I'm so worried she will get incredibly constipated and be in pain.  

We are just incredibly blessed to be home for the holidays, Bria told Santa at the hospital that The Grinch is her favorite this year, but she is so excited to celebrate that I don't think it really matters. Bria also asked me this year how much it costs to stay in the hospital, I told her it was priceless as long as we get to come home and we are all better. 

I am so very blessed this holiday season with all the love and support we have received and will never be able to repay all of your generosity.  Blessings to all of you! May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Love Always,

Bonnie and Bria