Mission Monkey Minute

This past weekend I was visiting Things I Can't Say and saw that she had done a post about a blog that she had found.  As she went on, my heart broke and I instantly started tearing up.  Once I clicked over to read the blog posts as Momma's Pixie Dreams, I started to full out cry my eyes out. 

Their own little monkey was just diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.  She is just 16 months old.  It breaks my heart to see this family hurting.  It doesn't matter that they have a different diagnosis than my own monkey had.  I know the pain and the overwhelmed feelings and especially the fear of not having an answer.  I read this post from Shell at Things I can't say and decided to send Ian an email.   I contacted him in regards to donating a blanket that we made either to their fundraising efforts or directly to Monkey.  It was up to him.  He told me that he thought the blanket should go directly to Monkey.  So, as soon as I get it washed and dried, Monkey is going to be the first official child we donate a blanket to from a family we don't know. (Jax was the first and we know them)

So, I am extending a challenge for Mission Monkey.  Please, please grab her button and get the word out.  You can find it at Ian's blog or at Big Momma Cass's.  Please pray for Monkey and her family.

I am also taking part in Ian's Mission Monkey Minute for the day:

1 - How old do you act?


I am sure that the answer to this question is too old.  I have always been more responsible and mature for my age.  Don't get me wrong, I have my moments of fun and silliness, but not often enough.  So, I would say that I probably act like I am 40 or 50 sometimes.  Other's like I am still in my 20's.
2 - As far back as you can remember, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a Vet, then a Marine Biologist, and then at 14 I decided on Pediatric Trauma Nurse or Flight Nurse.  To this day, I still want to be a nurse.  Maybe someday...


3 - If you were to write a book based on your life, what would the title be?


Liver, Spit up, and a whole lot of mess

4 - What's something that you do that's considered "childish" by most?


Probably playing computer games still.  I like to color.  I can't help it!  Sometimes when I get angry with the hubs, I say hurtful things.  SO trying to stop that so don't judge.


5 - The last question isn't a question. Write a story of a time of when you or someone you know overcame great adversity.

This is a story that some of you already know.  It is about my own little Monkey.  She was born May 2008 with Jaundice.  When we were still in the hospital we were in danger of her not being able to come home with us because they had found out there was something wrong with her liver.  It was eventually decided that she could go home as long as we came back to see a GI Dr on a regular basis.  We happily agreed as long as we could take our little one home.  After numerous blood tests, medications, and trips to see the GI Dr, she wasn't getting any better. 

On a Sunday afternoon at 10 weeks of age, her stool turned completely white.  Our pediatrician had always told us that if this happens we need to see him first thing.  So, first thing that Monday morning, I called him and he had us come in right away.  The next thing I knew, he was making phone calls to Children's Hospital and calling me back after hours to talk some more about Monkey.  He told me that he thought that she had a disease called Biliary Atresia.  I knew about it, but didn't want to say that I thought the same thing.  It is a disease that affects between 10,000 and 16,000 infants a year with an unknown cause.  He told us that we were to go straight to Children's Hospital in the morning and speak with them. 

When we got there, we were told that they were going to run more tests.  Then the Dr. asked me what I thought it was.  I finally said the words "Biliary Atresia".  He said that he thought so too, but we would see what the tests say.  So, after a full day of tests, they told us they were going to admit her.  The last test of the day was not promising so they were going to run it again in the morning.  Then we would go from there.  The next morning, the test showed the same poor results.  They told us they had one more test to do, but it required surgery.  Then the surgeon told us that if the test failed, he would immediately do a surgery to try to help her liver function.  It was VERY hard to accept.  Our little Monkey was not even 11 weeks old and she was already having major surgery. 

That Thursday she was officially diagnosed with Biliary Atresia as the last test had failed.  She immediately had a surgery to help her liver function.  Unfortunately, the surgery did not help her and a few months later she was placed on the Liver Transplant list.  We waited 22 days for a new liver for our little girl.  Waiting was hard, but we knew she was in good hands with her team at Children's.

Once we got the call, we had to wait to see if the liver was a good match for her.  After a little over 24 hours from the call, we were told that the liver was good and we would be going into surgery soon.  At 5 1/2 months, and after 6 1/2 hours or so of surgery, our little monkey had a new liver.  It was amazing.  Her new liver started working before the surgery was even over.  The first time I saw her, she had a flat belly.  She hadn't had a flat belly her entire life.  After 10 days we were sent home.  Just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving.  We had so much to be thankful for.

And we still do. Our little monkey is going to be turning 2 soon and you would never even know that she was sick. She is a normal little toddler who loves life as much as she loves her new little sister. Miracles do happen.  We have two living with us.



Please stop by Ian's blog and show your support to Monkey's family by posting your own Mission Monkey Minute.