Friday, February 6, 2009

An amazing first ...




When Zoey goes down for a nap during the day, I create a cocoon type thing for her to try and shield her from the very busy and very bright lights of the hospital.She never naps for very long but I find if I shield her a bit from the goings on around her,I can stretch her sleep to about an hour.Yeah,whoo hoo,an hour.Anyway,today Miss Zoey was all cocooned up and she had been asleep for about the max of an hour,when I lifted a corner of her make shift tent to check on her and this is what I found.To most .... not a big deal,a child sitting up in her bed.But to us,those who know Zoey and know her journey, would absolutely realize that Zoey just began sitting independently when placed in a sitting position,during her first round of chemo and this picture would then mean .... that Zoey took herself from sleeping on her back and all by her lonesome ... pulled to sitting!Huge news on the developmental front.And she does it with one,only one, of her little arms.Zoey,you will remember,suffered a stroke inutero and although movement of her left arm and leg is equal to that of her right,purposeful movement is not.So Miss Zoey has learned a new trick.Since accomplishing this new feat, I watch in awe as she crunches her tummy and with willful determination push,push,pushes her arm ever forward and sits.Quite proudly at that.The one picture captures the love she has for the dad of our darling roommate Jayden.I was able to share this milestone with Antonio,Jadens dad and he rejoiced along with me.I was so glad to have someone to share in my excitement.Zoey so loves our new roommate and her family,as witnessed by the darling smile she flashed when spotted sporting her new trick.And we love them.They are the neatest family and it has been just a blessing to share the last almost three weeks,along side them all.So that is the Zoey news of the day.We are so proud of her.Such courage in such a tiny soul.As for her numbers .... playing tricks on us.Nothing bad just her ANC fluctuating.But her platelets are up to 74,000 and a few of her other numbers are on the up swing as well.So we are going in the right direction and with any luck,home will be on the horizon by the end of next week.Aren't these two faces beautiful?.They are two of our 4th floor loves.Roommate Jayden is on the left and the other is a most incredible young thing by the name of Ricca.I love this child.Full of wit and wisdom far beyond her almost 10 years.In fact her birthday is on Zoey's birthday,March the 2nd.The grace by which these two little girls go about their days would amaze you all.They bring light and laughter to my day.They bring such pure joy into my days as I watch them soak in and soak up their surrounding, when everyone knows they would much rather be in a far different place.These two girls represent what it is all about on 4E and W.Strength amidst adversity and the gentle nudge to live in our moments.I just so wish that the reminder didn't come in the form of such sweet innocence.Love to you all and keep those prayers coming.For all the little warriors.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Zoey, you are the best!! It's hard enough to learn how to sit up for little ones under normal circumstances but here you are in the middle of your treatments pulling a great stunt like this! You look radiant in the pictures, and your friends are the cutest, glad you have a nice family there with you,it can really make a difference.Congratulations on your great accomplishment,there is no doubt Zoey, you are here to do great things. This is just the beginning. Prayers always to you all. Stephanie

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to Zoey on her new trick. Isn't just like her to hide it from you until she had it perfected! She looks so proud. I pray for all of the families on the 4th floor but to see some of their faces makes it all to real. They look so "normal'. They should be at home running around the yard, or playing in the rain. Hopefully, they will be soon.
kathleen

Larkinsmom said...

woooo hoooo!!!! I am so proud of our girl!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures and big hugs and kisses from Larkin and me

Anonymous said...

Amazing Zoey Grace. AMAZING. That's simply Zoey. Her friends are darling. Love and prayers to all. Keep using your core Miss Zoey, miss you and see you soon, Christi Harman

Junior said...

Yeah Zoey, we are so proud of you.
Such a great accomplishment.

rae said...

OMG... WTG Zoey! I can remember the first time we caught Sam sitting up on his own... I am sooooo very happy for all of you. What a huge milestone. Hugs to you all.
rae

Victoria Strong said...

YEAHHH!!! Hooray! This is wonderful!!! I know you are all so proud -- I am! I am so, so proud of Miss Zoey. I have been thinking of you so much. I had a fun vision of us running into each other after your comment about being in SB. Someday soon we will get that zoo adventure together. In the meantime, Miss Zoey, keep up the the great work. Go, go Zoey!

Cheri said...

HUGE stuff...way to go Miss Zoey!!!!!! :)

Unknown said...

Way to go sweet Zoey! That is so wonderful that she sat up on her own. Their determination is amazing, isn't it. Preslie tries to use those tummy muscles and pull her self in a forward direction, although not knowing where to go or how to manage when she got there,but she tries! Beautiful photos of those other two in the first picture. Do they need anything?? Those little girls?? I would love to send them something to brighten their day?? Thankyou for your kind words. we hope the stay at 'middle ground' isn't too much longer...I guess we'll see! We love you all!

Kisses For Noah said...

You go, little Zoey girl!!!! xoxo

Jeff said...

Heather and Zoey,

We miss y'all!!!
Congratulations on this great new move, Zoey! and give Jayden and our old roomie, Ricca a big high five from Pablo.

We are in on Monday if platelets are high enough... fingers crossed. I hope you get sprung - but if not, we are excited to see y'all.

xo
Jo Ann

Googsmom said...

Thats just fantastic!!! What a wonderful girl {{{{{HUGS}}}} and continued Prayers!!

The VW's said...

AWESOME job learning to sit up on your own Zoey!!! What a fighter!

Hugs from MI,
Alicia and Gavin

~KC: said...

WELL DONE ZOEY GRACE!!!. Beautiful Zoey, I'm praying every day for you and all your little friends ~
Lots of Love.

Reagan Leigh said...

That is so awesome! I'm so excited for her (and you)! Zoey is so amazing, picking up new skills when most would be losing them!! She's such a little fighter! You've got to get video of the little sneakster in the act!! (And don't worry...I'll never tire of you!)

Kristy said...

Way to go Zoey!!! Fantastic news on her new achievement! Zoey is amazing. Her friends on Floor 4 are amazing too!! Their bright smiles are beautiful!! Here's to hoping you get to check out of Hotel CHLA and come home real soon! Big hugs!! xoxox

Sophie's Story by Elaine said...

Way to go Zoey!!! I am so very proud of you.

Heather...you have such an amazing little girl...what a fighter!!!

By the way, California is so calling me right now...I can only dream of living there permanently...but I will be back to visit.

jocalyn said...

Thanks for your words of encouragement on Kendall's blog. Zoey is an absolute doll. Love the sparkly ballerina sleeper! (We have it too) You all are in our prayers as well. Much love. ~Jocalyn

Unknown said...

Ohhh I'm so excited. I have been reading your blog for a long time and had to leave a comment for you and Zoe..what an amazing thing!! My son is different then Zoe but has been sick since birth..I really get comfort from your blog and I'm thinking good thoughts for your whole family.
Warmly
Kate

Melissa said...

WTG Zoey, you are AMAZING! Praying for you from CT!
{{HUGS!}}