The last month and a half has gone by so quickly because Alanna has improved in health and abilities so quickly. Miller Children's Hospital Rehab pushed her to push herself. In four weeks she went from crawling to able to use a walker and take unassisted wobbly steps. We entered Millers with the hope that she would be able to walk again. We are so glad we did it and so happy with the team of rehab specialists that worked with her through physical, occupational, speech, recreational, and music therapy. Alanna improved greatly in every area.
We did spend Halloween at Millers which was so much fun. Alanna dressed as a black cat, she wore her leg braces under her costume and used a walker. She trick or treated through the hospital halls walking for 30 minutes. She was beyond exhausted by the end. The hospital gave small toys, no treats at all. Alanna has always preferred getting toys over candy for Halloween so this was amazing for her. We got our own firefighter to go with us and when Alanna was tired and ready to go back to her room our firefighter finished trick or treating for her.
Since we were at Millers for four weeks St. James Inn decided that they wanted to open the charity home to other families so Steve with the help of several members of the Santa Monica 2nd ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints helped to pack us up while Alanna and I stayed in the hospital. We moved back to Goleta to live with Steve's family until we can get Alanna through cancer treatments. We had hoped to stay in LA until treatments were over but God has other plans for us. We met so many wonderful people in LA and are so grateful for the friendships we made. I was very heartbroken to not be able to say goodbye to so many people. We hope to be able to continue friendships even though we have moved for now.
But, Oh my goodness it is so nice to be back home! Oh how I have missed it. Since being home and being around people who knew us before our traumatic experience the deep understanding with friends and family is allowing my heart to finally start to mend. My daughter has had some playdates with friends that knew her before she was sick, kids that don't see her as strange with her altered appearance. She is starting to open up again to be herself because she is around people who have always loved her and known her.
Yes, the drive to LA once a week is weary but the reward of being home is great. My heart is lifting with the support I am receiving. We will get through this together. Thank you for all of you who pray for us and lift us up in the many ways that you do it.
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