Seasons...

This morning Ella was very sluggish. I had to practically pull her out of bed. She perked up a little and I am embarrassed to say I didn't even want to take her temperature. She didn't feel hot so I knew she was ok but I didn't even want to know what her actual temp was. Usually, I make my husband take it when I am feeling anxious, but he is out of town today. She ate her breakfast and was quiet on the way to school. I found myself tearing up after I dropped her off because I worry if this 'season' we are experiencing will ever leave us. My anxiety got worse as I got home and I just worry for my baby girl. She just seems so sickly at times. Anyways, I am having a rough morning and I decided to turn my worries over to God. I read my devotional and boy it spoke right to me. Click on this link if you are interested - Charles Stanley
I am so grateful that seasons come and go but God's love and plan for us never changes.

Healthy Eating

Ella has had a good weekend. She did run a low grade fever some and dark circles under eyes seemed to be the only notable symptoms. Her appetite was down as well but got better yesterday. We continue to just take this one day at a time and focus more and more about the foods we are giving her and trying to make them the healthiest as can be.

A healthy good friend of mine recommended a great website with wonderful healthy recipes. It truly is fabulous and the link is here ---  Weelicious Site
I have posted below a few of the recipes I plan to make this week. I am so excited because this site makes it so easy to accomplish our goal of healthy eating.

All recipes from the Weelicious Website

Vegetable Lasagna in the Crock Pot

Ingredients

• 2 cups zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms and/or spinach
• 1 15 oz container ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon dried italian herbs
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 25 oz jar pasta sauce
• 1 box lasagna noodles (uncooked)
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

Preparation

1. Place the vegetables in a food processor and pulse to roughly chop.
2. Place the ricotta, parmesan cheese, herbs, garlic powder, salt and egg in a bowl and stir to combine.
3. Pour half of the pasta sauce in the bottom of a crock pot.
4. Place a layer of noodles on top of the sauce, covering the entire surface, breaking the noodles to fit the pot
5. Layer half of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles, followed by 1 cup of the chopped vegetables and then one cup of mozzarella cheese.
6. Repeat with another layer of noodles, followed by the remaining ricotta mixture and the chopped vegetables.
7. Pour the remaining pasta sauce on top of the lasagna and top with the remaining cup of the grated cheese.
8. Cook on low for 4 hours.

The Easiest Kale Recipe | Weelicious: Kale Pesto (makes 1 cup)

Prep Time:5 minutes, Total Time: 5 minutes,

Ingredients
2 cups packed kale leaves
1/2 cup toasted walnuts*
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup olive oil
Preparation
1. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
2. Serve over rice, pasta or as a sandwich spread.

Almond Banana Pancakes  (Serves 4-6) )

• Prep Time:2 minutes, 
• Cook Time: 6 minutes, 
• Total Time: 15 minutes, 

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 banana, mashed
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup almond flour/meal
• 1/2 cup flour (white or wheat will work)

Preparation

1. 1. Whisk the first 5 ingredients in a bowl.
2. 2. Whisk the remaining dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
3. 3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk to combine.
4. 4. Heat a large skillet or griddle over low to medium heat and add oil or butter (you don’t want the pan to be too hot or the pancakes will get too dark).
5. 5. Place several spoonfuls of the mixture in the pan, making several pancakes, and cook for 3 minutes on each side.
6. 6. Serve (preferably with an extra dollop of Yo Baby!
7. *Allow to cool, place in a ziploc bag, label and freeze. When ready, place in toaster oven or oven at 300 and heat for 10 minutes or until heated through.

One minute at a Time

Ella seems to be doing much better!  Yesterday, she did continue to not feel well - fever eventually went up to 102. I did not give her the prednisone because my motherly instinct said not too. And I don't argue with it because I believe with my whole heart it's the Holy Spirit guiding me.

Anyways, Ella had her cherries and probiotic and by dinner time was at a 99.5 (no tyl or motrin was given.) She returned to her playful self and ate most of her dinner. By bedtime, she was fever free and this morning was as well.

Today at school the humane society is visiting. Ella literally has been looking forward to this all week - she loves animals probably more than she loves me :)  I kept her home till about 9 a.m. to make sure she remained fever free and she did. So off to school she went. I also made sure she wasn't having any other symptoms that could mean a different illness. And she did not show any.  Just her usual pfapa ones. I am planning on picking her up early today so will update later this afternoon.

Thanks for keeping up with her and most importantly the prayers!!

Acts  2:38
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Unfortunately...

...the fevers have returned. Ella started the week with joint pain and I noticed her usual dark circles under the eyes getting worse. I picked her up early from school today because I had a dentist appointment and brought her with me. She just sat quietly in a chair and barely made a noise. I could tell she wasn't feeling good. She didn't eat much of her lunch and her fever is at 100.3.  I have her resting in bed and drinking tart cherry juice.

Will keep you updated.

Update Continued...

We have stayed on the well road for a while now. Very very happy, but also very very frustrated that I still get reminders that this could return at any moment. These reminders are the minor symptoms that Ella seems to experience every other week without the big fever. She will still complain of stomach ache, joint pain, sores in the mouth, and dark circles under the eyes. Now I am thrilled Ella has been able to enjoy life to the fullest, but I want for all the symptoms to be gone. Today, Ella was really complaining of sore legs (this is two weeks from her last 'minor' episode). She even had me look at her legs to make sure there were not any scratches or bruises on them. Of course I poured her a big ol glass of cherry juice and this afternoon she stopped complaining.

It is just confusing still, and I worry the second I breath a sigh of relief, the episodes will return with a vengeance. I stay alert and continue my education with this syndrome and ways to help Ella naturally. In fact, I am going to put more energy in posting recipes of the healthy foods we are eating. I am doing it slowly but I really really believe that the right foods can heal!  Meals are much easier for me to plan for but it's snacks, treats, etc that I am struggling with. Ella loves loves a snack and a dessert. Cookies, ice cream, chips, etc are things she gets occasionally but has more times than I should allow. I am trying to find substitutes for these foods and still bring the same excitement to her. Her brother, Hayes, has eczema pretty bad and I have also read that eating the right foods prevent minor skin ailments. So, as we hopefully stay well, my blog will be more on the healthy foods we are eating and different articles I am reading that support 'my theory'! :) If Ella starts back with her episodes I will return my focus to her symptoms and how she is doing.

I continue to thank God daily for the answered prayers!  Every day I get reminders He is there and He is shedding new insight and light unto this long, unsure road. I am still a big worrier but I do feel it lessening and I find myself giving my worries more to Him to handle than me always wanting to be in control. And that is HUGE for someone like me :)

Ella found a four leaf clover this weekend!  Here's to some good luck our way!
(Side note - the purple band aides are because she fell while running in the house and busted her forehead open - 6 stitches!!!  We could really really use some good luck :) )

Update...

I haven't had a chance to update my blog lately because Ella has stayed healthy for so long, which means we stay busy!

She did have a mild episode this past Tuesday. We were headed to the zoo, and I had to cancel. She woke up with a low grade fever, stomach ache, sores in mouth, and joint pain. Typical pfapa symptoms. I gave her an extra dose of tart cherry juice concentrate in her lemonade, some dried tart cherries, and her probiotic tablet. She laid on the couch for about an hour and her temp stayed around 99.5-100. By 10 a.m. all her symptoms were gone, other than the sores in mouth. Fever gone, stomach ache gone, joint pain gone. I am telling you tart cherry juice is a miracle food. Ella was able to enjoy the remainder of her spring break!  I did double up on the cherry concentrate daily and gave her a probiotic in the morning and evening. So so grateful for more answered prayers. Will continue to update when changes arise!