Part 2

By the time we arrived at Children's Hospital, Anna was so lethargic that she couldn't even open her eyes. We checked in to the Emergency Room, and they immediately rushed us back to a triage room.

All of sudden, at least 15 people were swarming around my baby. Lots of doctors, lots of words I didn't understand, and lots of concerned faces.

Right now, what we know is that there is excess fluid around her brain, which caused her to have two small strokes. By the grace of God, the doctors don't believe that she will have any long-term damage or negative effects from these strokes, but they are still trying to determine what happened. They are zeroing in on a diagnosis, but they are reluctant to put a name to it until they have observed her for a little bit longer.

What they do know is that what she has a very rare, but seemingly treatable condition. Because it is so rare, the part of me that runs to Google for everything is in a tizzy because her condition can't be Googled.

The doctors and medical staff here are absolutely wonderful, patient, and compassionate. There is an entire team here dedicated to pediatriac stroke research, and I know she is receiving the best care imaginable. They are keeping us informed every step of the way, and the staff in the PICU is checking up on us around the clock. No question is met with impatience, and every person from the welcome desk attendant to the chief of Neurosurgery is treating us like we are the only patients in this hospital. They are helping us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Anna will not be better tomorrow. We don't know when we'll get our happy, smiley, perfect baby girl back in our arms and in our home, but we have been given many reassurances that tell us that we will get to that point.

Thank you again for all of your messages. We do read them, and are touched by every comment and every word. 

It's hard for us to not think things like "Why Anna?" and "Why our family?" but we are choosing to stay optimistic because we are fighters, we are strong, and we know we will get through this and come out on the other side with an even greater perspective on life and love than we did before.