So happy the news is good!

During the recent 4 months that I was in the hospital I thought of the little bear often. I am so glad to read the updates and to read good news!

Bear and family: you are still in my prayers.

(Regarding giving blood : Bless you all for giving blood - I had to have three transfusions myself. It's a wonderful gift.)

Wait a minute...did you say Ick and coffee in the same breath? How in the world have you survived without it? I love the Quacks!

Hey, kiddo! Glad to hear from you. Tea has caffeine in it to and it's better for you than coffee. And if you can drink green tea it's even better! Personally, I could live on honeydew green tea icies from Panera and sun tea.

Animal sounds are so much fun, aren't they? She'll be talking your ear off in no time flat.

continued hugs and prayers....

Take care lady, thoughts and prayers continue from up north.

deppfan - to answer your question "How in the world have you survived without it?"

- Diet Coke and God

Glad to hear a good update for you Becca. I agree that it is sounding like you could use a break, but I know it's hard to walk away from the situation in your mind whether you are there or not! God bless!!!

There is a beautiful new update on Natalie's website. Almost makes me want to cry.

Only almost, Okie? I definitely had tears trickling down my face. As a mima (pronounced mema just like the bear does) myself with a pool for my little one to jump in to me, I can really see Natalie doing this...over and over and over and over......and nothing makes me feel like she's getting stronger every day than that. Thanks for sharing, Becca!

Sounds like things are going well. That is such good news. Becca, don't ever feel like you have to appologize for sounding tired. If anyone deserves to be tired, it is you. I am constantly amazed at the energy and stamana you have.

Thanks all for the encouragement...it means so very very much!!!

Here is the plan for the next 3 days...we'll be staying 3 days and 2 nights in lovely Chicago !!!!
Today Natalie is scheduled to be admitted to CMH for a blood transfusion. (As of right now, it's room 686.) Her hemoglobin dropped again to 6.7. But it took a week and a half to drop this much - so I guess that is an improvement . Tomorrow, we will do an angioplasty of her portal vein and put a stent in it. The procedure can last several hours. She will be under general anesthesia. As of now, she's scheduled for about 1100 tomorrow. We've been planning this for a while now, so it will be good to see if it makes a difference.

She will be required to stay overnight on 6 West for observation after the procedure (bleeding is the most common complication). She'll get an ultrasound the next morning (Friday) to make sure the vein is open. If she's doing well, she'll be discharged.

While it is a procedure with risk, it is fairly simple and routine compared to the other things that she's gone through. But prayers are appreciated, nonetheless.

And while you're at it, could you also pray for my uncle (Natalie's great-uncle) Dennis? He is going to Madison to start chemo on Friday, in preparation for his stem cell transplant on August 5.

Prayers continuing to come your way from Oklahoma.

You got it!

Thinking of you in California.
Thoughts & Prayers for the whole family.

Prayers coming from Wisconsin! But you guys are in my daily prayers so I will have to do extra this time!

Just checked out the latest pics, so adorable! I definitely feel for you and can't imagine what you all have gone through. You are all so strong and an inspiration to us all. Prayers and thoughts continue as always.

more ((hugs)) and ditto BQ on the prayers.

Good luck and lots of prayers for Natalie and Dennis.

I will be thinking of you and your family. You are one tough bunch.

You are an inspiration to us all. After reading the recent diary entry about all the little things happening, you know, like the first steps, I was moved. I'm amazed at the strength you all have shown. God bless you!

Hoping everything went well! Have been praying for your family. Bless the little one.

Mom O'Bear updated the website last night. So far so good.

She's walking. We're home. We're not in the hospital and she's walking. (I cried when she did it last night and I'm crying again as I type this.)

Just another example of how Natalie refuses to take all this stuff sitting down!

Oh, and she had labs drawn this morning...so we'll see...

But did I mention that she's walking?!?!?!?!

Woo-Hoo!!!!

Soon, the tears of joy will give way to: "Oh, s***, wher's she running off to now?"

But even that is cool. I am happy for you and the little bear. Take care.

YAY! Soon she will be climbing, running...how wonderful! Hang on for the next phase Becca, and enjoy.