The end of the year is in sight. Ella-Marie has been home for almost a whole week now and is enjoying the attention to the fullest. Where the previous weeks was a 80/20 ratio with negative and positive moments, we can say with relief that the real Ella-Marie is back! We won't give you an overview of the year in this blog, feel free to check all the other articles, but an update of last week is still very much on our mind.
The inflamed toe
Let's start with the physical discomforts. Ella-Marie has not
worn a splint for a week and we notice that the ingrown toenail is
slightly or somewhat less inflamed. Unfortunately, you do still see
wild flesh and it is actually "better" for Ella-Marie that she is
still physically limited on the left. The pain she should be
feeling should be almost unbearable, but all in all she still
remains calm under it.
A few weeks ago we got the message that we should give it a chance
for spontaneous healing. Apparently the toenail gods were not on
our side this time. A permanent solution is imminent, more on this
next week.
The left arm
In one of the first blogs, we talked about Ella-Marie's goals. One of those goals was to be able to do a TikTok dance. Before the surgery, we encouraged her, hoping that "something" would still be possible. But actually, she can do much more than we ever imagined. The arm makes stiff movements, but hits at half-height. It is also especially noticeable that she is more aware of the left arm. Occupational therapist Zoë was also particularly impressed with the progress in Ella-Marie's hand. A few weeks ago she suddenly got more feeling, which means she can now let her hand relax a bit. You can still see very hard that her fingers are forming a fist, though.
The House
No human physical topic, but still important: the house extension continues to progress. The floor is mostly laid, the electricity is almost connected, but most of all nice: the windows are in. Now let the wind come! :-)
A few days ago we saw something we hadn't seen for a long time. It was yellow-orange, gave light and a little warmth. We immediately took advantage of the natural phenomenon and cleaned the whole garden. Wood, plastic, stone dust and all sorts of cables were thrown into the trailer and taken to the container park. Cleaning up is a very mundane thing, but anyone who has done a winter or summer cleanup will agree: what a great feeling once everything is cleaned up!
After the turn of the year we will focus on the driveway, patio, lighting and some interior doors. At the same time, we will also demolish the current kitchen and living space. The end goal is to have a beautiful single-level bedroom and bathroom up and running by March 29. Already THE high day of 2024, as Ella-Marie will then bid Pulderbos farewell for good!
The mood
Not a physical event, but the biggest work item was mood. And since the day she could be home, Ella-Marie's smile has gone into crescendo. So we really put in the work! Every day there was something nice on the agenda: Christmas parties, birthday parties, watching the new Wonka movie, visiting a fast food chain, friends visiting, chilling with plus Grandma Simonne, .... And especially that own bed! Well, own bed ... mom and dad's bed :-).
One evening we received a beautiful handwritten note. Ella-Marie spontaneously wanted to tell us something. With the message "I wanted to give you this from the day I get back from Pulderbos", we were allowed to read the following:
Dear Mom and Dad,
I would never want another mommy and daddy. I hope you love me? I know I'm not allowed to be naughty <3
I will still do my best in Pulderbos!!! I love you so please please please please love me still.
Love,
Ella-Marie
Papa Pieter fell silent for a moment and Mama Annelies blinked away a tear. There she was again. OUR Ella-Marie! That sweet girl whom everyone hugs and whom everyone wants to fight oh so hard for.
A beautiful end to an incredibly bizarre, hectic and intense year. A year where it became clear what a wonderful family and friends we have. A year we never want to experience again, but where the right decisions were clearly made.
Agenda for 2024
Final homecoming Ella-Marie, dad Pieter 40 years, mom Annelies
40 years, 15 years married, 20 years together.
A big party is not in the cards, unfortunately the bricks did not
fall from the sky. However, we will try to make it a top year, in
which family and friends will be central. After all, thanks to
those people, we managed to complete the challenging year.
Tom, the man behind the technology of this blog, has also suggested making a book(s) of the articles you could already read. If you agree on this, I'll keep writing for a while then! :-)
Happy New Year!
In addition to our best wishes (with good health at the front of the list) for the new year, one piece of golden advice:
Say enough to the people around you that you love them. Take nothing for granted and enjoy both the small and the big things.
