SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALODOCIOUS!!

SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!!!!  In the 1964 song from "Mary Poppins," this was suggested as  "something to say when you don't know what to say." It means great, fantastic, extremely cool. It can also be used as an exclamation, or as a way to describe something that surprises and delights you, similar to the words "stupendous" or "wonderful." I can't think of a better word to describe how I feel after finally receiving Elise's liver panel results from Monday. But just to be clear, he still has not called...no, I called the lab and obtained the lab results myself.  Anyway, her numbers are very good, relatively speaking of course, and all indications are that her liver is very happy!!

For anyone interested in the specific numbers, as I am, here is her current liver panel:

AST- 83   (normal range 20-60)  

ALT- 78   (normal range 6-50)  

ALK PHOS-  351   (normal range 110-320)  

GGT-  851   (normal range 10-160) 

ALBUMIN- 3.8   (normal range 2.8-5.0)  

BILI DIRECT - 1.2   (normal range <0.3)  

BILI INDIRECT- 0.6   (normal range  <1.0)  

As you can see by comparing her current numbers to the "normal range," Elise's liver enzymes are still technically high, BUT, they are generally trending in the right direction...DOWN. 

Anyway, I am so keenly aware of how much worse things could be for Elise and for us...so when I look at her, hold her, and witness her thriving like any other 3 month old baby, I can only praise God for this blessing...this miracle. 

Anyway, Elise just simply amazes me every single day. She's gaining weight, eating more than she has ever eaten, cooing, smiling, sitting up in her bumbo chair, and now....sleeping all night!!  Last night, she slept an entire 8 hours before waking up at 5:30 am to eat. She was even considerate enough to wake up at the same time as Daddy! 

Now that I'm actually able to sleep at night, it's like a whole new ball game! My thoughts are clearer, my mood is better, and I have so much more energy- energy that I need now more than ever, to advocate for Elise if nothing else. Each day, I choose my battles carefully. Most days, however, one of my battles involves our insurance company. I myself was a care advocate for this insurance company until just last month, and for the life of me, I can not understand what planet these people live on or where they left their brains. I sit here and basically read the criteria and approval guidelines to them, but usually to no avail. Although, this week, I did win the battle over the Synergis vaccine. 

So Grammie and Paw are going to be arriving tomorrow, and we can't wait!! They are SO good with Ethan, and I just can't wait for them to actually get to enjoy Elise this week. Prior to this visit, it seems like every time they have visited, Elise was in the hospital and very ill.  We are going to have a wonderful time together!!