Ellie Grace Volk

February 23, 10am:  I cannot believe it has been 2 months since I last updated!  I apologize!  Thankfully, it has been uneventful and I haven't had any "news" to tell you. 

Ellie is doing great.  She has had a few colds and illnesses this winter, but nothing serious.  She has been feeling good and is loving school.  Here she is singing with her classmates in church. 

You might notice that her hair is much shorter.  She was tired of the morning brush-outs and having tangles.  She talked about getting it cut for weeks and I finally gave in.  I had drug my feet a little bit because I loved seeing her with her long, beautiful hair!  Especially after she was bald.  I kept asking her if she was sure she wanted to cut it.  She insisted and she loves it!  It's actually much easier on all of us! 

The big event in her life right now is her upcoming birthday.  She has a countdown calendar and has been checking off each day.  On March 1st, she will turn 6.  She talks about it non-stop.  Every day she has a different theme for her party and a different gift she wants.  It's fun to see her so excited!

We will head back to Omaha in March for another round of tests.  But, for now, we are enjoying a happy, healthy girl!  This picture is from the Nebraska State Dance Competition that Lexie competed in this weekend.  Ellie was a trooper sitting through 6 hours of dance!

Thank you for your continued support.  We know we are incredibly blessed by you and by God.  We are forever grateful.

I leave you with Ellie's memory verse from today.  She was learning it in the car on our way to school this morning (no need to be organized and learn it early!) and I loved hearing these words in her sweet voice.  Such simple instructions from our God.

"Do good to all people."  Galatians 6:10

December 22nd, 1pm: Ellie had her 3-month hospital visit on Monday.  She goes in every 3 months for a series of tests and scans.  They want to make sure she continues to be cancer-free.  Her hospital visit went great.  The doctors thought she looked healthy and strong.  None of her tests showed anything suspicious.  We are so grateful!

Here is a recap of her day:

First, arriving at the hospital to have blood drawn. 

Next, onto x-rays.  We always love to see the cross across Ellie during the x-rays.  She is so good at standing perfectly still.  Unfortunately, she's had lots of practice. 

 Then, onto the ultrasound.  This was the longest part of Ellie's day.  They did a thorough scan of her front, both sides and her back.  They check her entire abdominal area.  If the cancer were to return, it would most likely go to her other kidney or her lungs.  The x-ray was of her lungs and the ultrasound was of the entire abdomin.  Ellie is wearing a santa hat that they gave her.

Ellie with a bear that they gave her for laying so still. 

We then went onto visit her oncology doctor for a check-up.  Ellie has grown 2 inches in the last 3 months and is up to 39 pounds.  If you have been following us, you know that 40 pounds has been a goal for a long time.  We are so close!  With Christmas this week, I am sure we can add another pound to her frame!

The hardest part of Ellie's day was that she couldn't eat after bedtime the night before. They don't want any food in her system while they do the ultrasound.  She was so hungry!  Especially by the end of all of her tests.  We were finally done and we were able to go to a pizza place she loves and get her favorite: meatball pizza! 

Thankfully, the day went good and Ellie was in great spirits.  It is always a humbling thing to spend some time at the Children's Hospital.  There are many kids who won't be home for Christmas.  Many will be spending it right there.  We saw parents and families waiting for kids to come out of surgery.  On the oncology floor, we saw many beautiful bald kids.  So many kids and families going through such adversity.  Whenever we leave, we are always very thankful for the journey we have had.  It is impossible to feel sorry for yourself after walking those halls.   Those kids are truly the bravest people you will meet.

I can't be in that hospital without thinking of the countless hours we have spent there.  The many times we left carrying Ellie when she had no strength.  The times we couldn't even make it to our car before she began throwing up from chemo.  The times we waited in that lobby while Ellie was in surgery.  The nights we spent sleeping in her hospital room while she was hooked up to way too many machines.  The endless prayers we have sent up from those halls.  We are so thankful to now be able to say that Ellie runs down the hall on her way to meatball pizza!

We are so thankful that God allowed us to have this journey and that he allowed Ellie to stay with us.  We are feeling so blessed.  Especially at this time of the year.  Next week, it will be 3 years ago that Ellie was diagnosed.  Although I wouldn't wish this journey on anyone, we are grateful for each and every step.  We praise God that Ellie has come out the other side of this tunnel and is a strong, healthy girl!

As always, thank you for your prayers and support!  We are blessed by you!  We wish you a wonderful Christmas.  I am hopeful that you are able to spend quality time with your loved ones.  Hug them hard!

"God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work."  2 Corinthians 9:8