Surgery, Sisters, and School

Sweet Bella had another surgery today.  This one on her knee – that makes four on that right knee.I have no idea how many total surgeries this poor girl has endured, I stopped counting years ago.  But today’s surgery was successful.  Her knee is all cleaned up, old scar tissue has been removed, tears in the meniscus have been repaired, damaged tissues have been removed.  Her surgeon said it was a pretty messed up knee, but this should give us a few more years of mobility.
(it’s always the IV that makes her so mad!)

During pre-op, Bella was getting so anxious, so tense, generally freaking out, so we FaceTimed Sammi and Joy.  That was what she needed.  She was so much calmer – yeah for sisters!!

Bella loves her sisters, but especially her Joy, “Goya” as she calls her.  The girls can be at each other’s throats, but come bed time, “I want Goya.”  “I want Della.”  If I pick up Bella from school, without Joy, Bella goes into high alert, “Where’s Goya?”  All day long, she is making sure her sister is near by.  (Now, I hear at school, they are very separated (within the same classroom – the hard work of their amazing teacher, Mr. Farris!))
Yesterday her class sent home some well wishes – so very sweet!!  I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher/aides/school for the girls.  They are pushed, but they are loved.  It is the best!!  Last night we were looking at her poster together and reading all of the messages.  She looked at it and said, “friends.”  I am so grateful my baby has a safe place where she can grow and where she can have friends!!

Jessi and Sammi got a few things for their baby sister too – they are so tender with her.

Truly, we are so very blessed!!