Below is the original "before and after" post about our little girl. We had her at Children's Hospital back in October to treat Hirschsprung's Disease. Not exactly the nastiest ailment on the planet, but still nothing a baby should go through AND, most importantly, if parents aren't proactive it can become very serious. Click this link to learn more about it.

Because of the disease, Elsie was so "backed up" and her intestine/colon so dilated the surgeon couldn't complete the procedure. The goal, to complete, was April/May, but we were given the green light about a month ago. So, Elsie is way ahead of schedule, which is, obviously, great news. Next week, Dr. Anderson will go back in to tie up the loose ends.....haha....fairly literally.....and get our little girls system functioning normally. The nerves and anxiousness are growing between Spencer and I. It's all pretty scary, that said we have all the trust in the world in the staff at Children's. They were our home away from home back in October and I have no doubts they will be again. It's also very nice to know our extended family at the Ronald McDonald House will be there for support as well. If you aren't familiar with all the good Ronald McDonald House charities does, please click! What an incredible organization. I really look forward to working with them in 2013 and beyond.

Thanks for your interest in our daughter, as well as your care and concern. It's so deeply appreciated. Again, Hirschsprung's isn't the world's most dangerous disease, but it's largely unknown and can be quite painful/dangerous if not addressed, so please spread the awareness.

Here is the previous post from back in October:

I didn't plan this at all, but I happened to have video of Elsie before and after her surgery. I think you can REALLY see a difference in how alert and awake she is.....it just goes to show how lethargic and, really, just plain miserable she was with the Hirschsprung's Disease. Now, Hirschsprung's isn't the most dangerous disease on the planet, but it's also widely unknown. So, I encourage you to click this link and check out what it's all about and spread the word because not being armed with the knowledge can do damage to a newborn, at the very least cause the baby considerable discomfort and pain, all which could be prevented if detected early enough. I also need to give a HUGE thank you to the ENTIRE staff at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. I believe their knowledge and fast action led to a much quicker turn around in Elsie's case. You are all, now, extended family. Simple as that.

For those that don't know, Elsie's specific case was a narrowing of a, roughly, 3-4 centimeter portion of her Sigmoid colon that left her unable to poop. She endured major surgery at a week and a half old, and endured like the toughest little girl ever. Definitely made Daddy proud. She's my hero. Due to her intestine's still be dilated from the blockage, the surgeon did a partial procedure. Leaving her with a colostomy bag for, about, the first 6 months. At which time, the second step of the surgery will be completed and little E-rock's system should function normally. :)

So, this first video is Elsie, AFTER a good amount of rest. She should be a bit more alert and active. What you can't see are her arms and legs, but by how still she is you should be able to tell she isn't moving at all. Very lethargic and why wouldn't she be, she was full of it......literally. Poor little one. 

I would like to point out, at about :19 seconds, my girl makes Daddy proud and shows the universal sign of ROCK. Also, what the hell were we watching!? Can you hear the commercial?

This video is just a DAY after her colon surgery to remove the portion of her colon where the nerves weren't workin right. I'm guessing she's a little tender where the surgery was. She's also on morphine and Tylenol EVERY 4 hours......YET, I still say she's showing MORE life, she's more alert than at any point in the previous video. And, take my word for it, anytime prior to surgery. I believe this shows just how uncomfortable a little one with Hirschsprung's really is.