Healing Eloise

All of you who know Eloise Vermeys know that she is an amazing little girl brimming with life, love and joy.  Last week, she contracted an ear infection, and when she could not hold down any food or fluids, Julianna and Mark feared that she was getting dehydrated and took her to the hospital. This was a life-saving decision.  It turned out that Eloise had a dangerous bacterial infection that had spread from her ears into the bone behind her ear, just to the brain side of her skull. After MRIs and spinal taps, the doctors at Randall Children's Hospital did an emergency surgery late Friday night to drain the fluids from her ears and space near her brain. The infection caused blood clots to form in the veins around her brain and left ear, causing increased swelling and fluid retention on the brain. This swelling is causing vision problems by traumatizing the nerves that help her eyes work properly. She has had a special IV line installed so that she can have multiple IV antibiotics administered to her daily, and separate daily injections of anticoagulant medicine for several months to help reduce the risk of her brain clots growing or moving. She has a longer hospital stay in store, and then months of therapy, injections, weekly doctor follow-up, labwork and home care ahead. Hopefully, with constant monitoring of her eyes and treatment to help reduce inflammation and swelling to the brain, Eloise will not have to suffer long term vision problems. The good news is that Eloise's vigilant doctor's predict a full recovery for her eventually, and we--her community of family and friends--are all visualizing her smiling, laughing, running and dancing again.  Please give what you can to help Julianna and Mark during this very difficult time, during which Julianna will not be able to work.  Your support will help provide necessary care to Eloise, and will help this amazing family to pull through this chapter with grace.  Thank you for your love and friendship, and for your care of beautiful little Eloise.