Belle Update: June 15

It's exciting to cheer for Bella. Everyone loves an underdog.

In sports we're usually drawn to the story of an underdog - the team or individual that overcomes great challenges and wins despite the odds. For some reason those stories are a lot more emotionally satisfying, aren't they?

I think it must be something ingrained within all of us, because everyone knows what it's like to be down and defeated. We have all felt crushed under the weight of the world at one point or another. We recognize the struggle, we see the fight and determination, and we can't help but celebrate the rise from adversity. 

We root for the comeback. We crave the rally and the eventual victory. The triumph is so much sweeter, because it was almost unexpected. 

Team Arabella, all the way.

Kiera and I felt stronger today, we had more energy, and overall we were more optimistic. 

Some days you can't help yourself, though. You get sucked into a dark hole of worries. You're consumed. Some days you simply can't escape the uneasiness. 

If there's one thing I've learned here, it's that every day is different.

Belle getting x-rays done on her knees and wrists

It was a busy day for Belle, but she was a good girl. She did extremely well throughout all of her procedures.

Today's heart echo revealed that she still had moderate pulmonary hypertension, but the staff feel confident that she's ready to go back to increased doses of Diazoxide (the sugar drug that likely caused her pulmonary hypertension in the first place). 

As parents, we have to put our complete faith in the staff, and that's not always easy in these circumstances. We're cautious and weary. We've seen the side-effects of some of these drugs, and we know how sensitive Belle can be. 

Things might get a little tricky for her again, but she'll be closely monitored. We know that she's going to get puffy again from the Diazoxide, and she'll have to work a little harder to breathe once the fluid accumulates in and around her lungs. 

We don't want to go back to that scary place, but our choices are limited at this point. We're basically at a fork in the road, and either direction has potential for some risk.

In the meantime, we're continuing to spend as much time with her as we can, and we're loving every moment. Luckily, the tougher days eventually pass and we start to regain our hope and strength...until the next difficult day. 

Rinse and repeat. 

On a tougher day it's best to go to bed early. You want to get your sleep and hope for a better and brighter day tomorrow.