Here we go again...
I don't know exactly how to explain my thoughts and feeling about these, trips? adventures?...not sure what to call these excursions.
Sunday morning consists of a lot of driving and emotions.
Nervous for the drive, anticipation for the treatment, sadness for leaving Izze, excited to complete another treatment and have the possibility of hearing something to the effect of "You're almost done."
We have checkpoints on the drive. The first one, the entrance of Spanish Fork Canyon with all it's windmills. It's the beginning of a LONG dangerous drive. I am not a very good road-tripper. I think I have become a weenie in the last couple of years. I used to hate flying, and I have never really liked driving, I get too anxious and fidgety. I want to get out of the car, and I am sure that everyone else does too. You would NEVER know with Gabi though. She is the perfect traveling child. She is a little angel when it comes to flying or driving anywhere.
Once we make the entrance into the canyon it's a very long road with not much to see until our second major checkpoint, the Eisenhower Tunnel. A mile long tunnel through the center of the Rockie Mountains. It is great when we get there and pretty spectacular too. A few things to notice when nearing the tunnel: while driving up through Glenwood canyon (gorgeous by-the-way!) all the kayakers are going west towards the Pacific Ocean. While driving through the tunnel there is a sign that reads, "Continental Divide".
(the mountain the tunnel goes through)
On the other side of the tunnel you will notice that the rivers are are then flowing to the east. Pretty fascinating.
Like I said, Gabi is an awesome traveler, not a moan or groan EVER.
This is her while driving through the Eisenhower tunnel.
The rest of the drive is pretty entertaining and beautiful. Here's a train we passed.
And an interesting tree.
Once into Denver we made our usual stop at the Build-a-Bear Workshop, Gabi's choice of fun while there. Hit a local eatery, watched some tiny-bopper shows, and hit the memory foam ;)
Gabi asked Ben for a blessing before bed and also before we left the hospital in the morning. I was so proud of her for understanding that her dad can serve her in these ways and that these blessings are for her use. It was a great opportunity for Ben also, really for all of us. It really helps take the anxiety and nerves out of us so that we can accomplish what needs to be done and have the faith and confidence that His will, will be done.
Gabi usually screams and fights quite a bit while I hold the mask over her mouth so she can sleep. This time she whimpered and held onto me and just had tears running down her cheeks. She gave up the fight. She knew what was happening and she tried to make it easier on me. I just held her tight and told her how brave she was and how much I loved her and everyone else loved her and that it would all be over soon. I told her I would be there right when she woke up and she fell asleep.
I will tell you, no matter how many times you go through this the knot in your throat NEVER goes away. It is just hard to see these little innocent children have to be so courageous.
The treatment went well. 6ml Ethanol injected into 4 different sites.
We got her through recovery and back to the hospital. She was exhausted and slept all afternoon and all night. We left early the next morning around 5am.
She never loses her personality, not even in pain, or uncomfortable situations.
She is our little darling, legs crossed and all.
Gabi you are our hero! We love you!
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