Merry Christmas !!




We have settled into our apartment and things are going well for Abbey.  One of the main reasons that we have to stay close is for the three times per week blood draws and weekly Clinic visits with her liver team.  It is important right now to be able to have quick turnaround of the blood tests so that changes can be made to her medications.  We are having home health care do this so we are glad that we are not having to travel back to the hospital early in the morning when these need to be completed. 

Our first clinic visit was Friday and Abbey was relieved to have the 42 staples from her incision removed.  I did ask her first if she wanted me to share this information and she said it was okay.  Things are healing well and she will surely have a story to tell as she gets older.  Today has been a month since she was flown here by helicopter and she only remembers the flight and a few hours after that before she woke up nearly 5 days later.  We asked her what was the first thing she remembered when she woke up and she said she saw me, Alyssa and her dad and our eyes looked like we had been crying a lot. 



This week Abbey had been looking forward to having Alyssa come down and stay for the weekend.  But Liss had a cold and thought it would be better if her and Ty didn't come down.  Abbey covered her head with a blanket and just cried and cried.  She sure loves her sister and said that she just needed her yesterday.  Liss has been such a great help to our little family through this.  She never left Abbey in the hospital and would come down even if she could just stay for the day to paint her nails, wash her hair, feed her lunch or just hold her hand a watch a movie.  She spent the day yesterday cleaning and getting ready for us to hopefully come home tomorrow. Thanks Liss we love and appreciate all you have done.

We took Abbey for a ride around Temple Square tonight to see the Christmas lights and had Christmas music playing in the car.  We sang a few of the carols and I just couldn't quit thinking about "HOME".   As we talk with other families here at the Ronald McDonald House and at the hospital we are in awe at the trials that others are facing and the courage that they have.  Sometimes it has just helped them and us to be able to share what we are going through.  Of course everyone's goal right now is to be able to go home for Christmas and be with their families and have that sense of normalcy.  Nothing can replace the comfort and peace that your own home can bring.  I hope that you can find some quiet time this holiday season to feel the spirit you have in your "home" and to cherish the memories and joy that fill each room. 

We again want to thank you all for the love you have brought to our home and hearts this Christmas season.  We love you all and look forward to seeing you soon.  We hope to leave tomorrow and be able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas home before returning to Salt Lake.

Merry Christmas,

The Owen Family