Day +36

Posted on: 03/05/2014

Today Ava had a play date! She was paid a visit by a delightful little American girl Ella (5) and her Mum Becky. Ella has MLD and went through Gene Therapy here from January through March. So far, she is doing incredibly well. She and Becky are still in Milan until her 3 month post-transplant checks are finished next week. They are a wonderful family and we actually made friends online last year, as Ella's brother Eli (8) also has MLD and was treated here last May. I followed his treatment day-by-day on their Facebook site 'Eli and Ella's Prayer Warriors' and the hope this gave us - whilst doors were being shut in our face at home - was phenomenal. Ava and Angelina Facetimed Ella several times when she was in isolation and all of the girls now have a special friendship. To see Ella happy, smiling and looking great also really helped to prepare Ava for her treatment and to normalise this surreal situation. Becky and I have established a firm friendship, as we are bonded not only by the fact that we are MLD mothers, but the unique shared experience we have had here in Milan. Her support from our first contact onwards has been invaluable. Even today she has shot back into the isolation unit (despite just having left after 64 days with Ella) in order to give me a break. Just one small example of her unhesitating kindness and selflessness. I have no doubt that we will all be friends for life.