November 2011

Friends,

We are on our fourth week here at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). It's been a really good, but long, admission. CHOP has been amazing and we feel so grateful for their expertise with kids like Ruby.

Ruby has undergone numerous tests to try to determine why she has had some difficulty with digestion. She has also been seen on consult by a number of specialists for various systems of her body. It been a full body medical "tune-up" and we are going home with a number of new things that will hopefully improve her life and ours.

The hospitalization has definitely been longer than expected, and we are tired, exhausted. The doctors are saying that we'll be discharged by the end of the week. I hope so, can't wait to go home!

While we were here, Ruby had a surgery to place a feeding tube directly into her stomach. She will no longer be feeding through the tube in her nose. The tube that was surgically placed is called a g-tube and the hope is that her feeding and growth will improve. We are really grateful that the surgery and corresponding anesthesia went really well. Ruby will be healing for a bit after this procedure.

In closing, I have to say - this little girl is AMAZING. She does not give up at anything, and continues to live with the most incredible resilience. She is a true champion, and a hero. Ruby amazes me. She faces all this with such incredible strength. I want to be more like her.

Thanks for your continued LOVE, prayer support, and FAITH for Ruby's life.

Mitch, Katie, Ruby Joy