Make a Wish Trip

How do you describe the most amazing trip?  When your child is diagnosed with Cancer your world is turned completely upside down.  Your child's days consist of pain and tears, sickness and fear.  As the parent you spend countless nights worrying instead of sleeping.  You watch your child forced to grow up too fast as they are confronted day after day with things that they shouldn't even know about.  When the opportunity comes to step away from all of this, to allow your child to leave the pain behind and just be a kid for a little while, well, it's hard to describe how amazing that gift is.  Make a Wish gave us just such a gift.  The ability to leave behind the world of Cancer and allow my little boy to just be a kid.  To ride roller coasters and see Mickey Mouse, build sand castles on the beach, and pretend he is Harry Potter.  Not once in 10 days did he have to be poked or examined or throw up from poison injected into his body.  As his family we were able relax and build memories that will last a life time.  As Austin's parents, we were able to see pure joy and take a break from all the stress of his treatment.  The memories made during this week will help us face the tough road ahead as we face 2 more years of treatment.

Ok, get ready for picture overload!  This is only a taste of our amazing trip.

Our bags are packed....Austin's wish grantors gave us these luggage tags.  It made them super easy to find at the airport.

Ready to go!! These are 3 very excited kids

Waiting to load the plane.  

We flew on Southwest and they were amazing.  We got to board the plane first and the kids got to go into the cockpit and meet the pilot.  I don't think they realized how big a deal that is but their Mom and Dad sure did!

We stayed at Give Kids the World Village.  It is a very special place only for Wish kids and their families.  The atmosphere of this place is incredible.  It is entirely run by volunteers and that translates into a very special spirit of love and hope.  We had as much fun in the Village as at the parks and made sure we returned early each night to enjoy all of the activities.

In front of our Villa

Meeting Mickey

Austin's star that is now hanging in the "Castle of Miracles" in the Village.  Every wish kid gets a star and there are thousands all over the tower.

Face painting in the Village

Austin's favorite treat.  The Village has free ice cream any time you want it.  The kids even had it for breakfast one day!

Our tickets to the parks.

On to the parks.  Make a Wish gave us three days at Walt Disney World, two days at Universal Studios, and one day at Sea World.  Kevin made us matching shirts to wear at each of the parks.  My Mom joined us for 4 of the days and it was so fun to have her with us.  She has been our biggest supporter through Austin's treatment so it was only fitting that she get to enjoy in Austin's wish.  We didn't get her onto any roller coasters but she was happy to watch Jaxon for us so the rest of us could go on the big rides.  Thanks Mom, we love you!

Epcot

Space Mountain

 We were so spoiled at each of the parks.  They really treat Wish kids and their families like royalty.  We never had to wait in line, we got right in to restaurants, shows, and meet and greets with characters. They gave us free pictures and food.  We decided that we will never be able to go back because any other trip wouldn't be the same.  Being treated as VIP's is pretty darn fun!

Jaxon's first time on Splash Mountain!  He loved it

The Haunted Mansion

Meeting Madison's favorite princess.  Doesn't Austin look thrilled?  We had to practically drag him into the building as he wanted nothing to do with princesses.

The penguins at Sea World.  The kids were freezing, but I could watch them all day.

After a week of running to parks and all the fun at the Village we were ready for a relaxing break before we came home.  We extended our trip with three days at Cocoa Beach.  This was my favorite part of the trip.  We sat on the beach and the kids made sand castles and played in the waves.  The water was warm and beautiful. 

After 10 wonderful days we had to return to reality. I cannot express in words the immense gratitude that I have to all of those that made our trip possible.  To all of those that donated money to Make A Wish, to our amazing wish grantors that put everything together and made Austin so excited,  to those that volunteer at Give Kids the World, to the Ihop waitress that gave us our meal for free, and the kind woman at the airport that gave us money and told us to buy the kids some ice cream; to all of these and so many more we say thank you.  Thank you for reaching out and helping a little boy and his family experience the most amazing 10 days of our lives.

Another Back Poke

Austin and I made another trip to Primary's for Austin's Lumbar Puncture and Chemo.  Kevin wasn't feeling well so he stayed home with the dogs.  It was an uneventful visit which is always a good thing.  Austin's ANC was 1300 so we are cleared to go on his Make a Wish trip.  

 Hct 34.5 Plts 219 ANC 1300 Weight 42.5

Austin get his wish!

Austin has been so excited to hear about his wish being granted from Make a Wish.  Austin made his wish several months ago to go to Walt Disney World.  His "wish grantors" came over to our house and helped Austin make it official.  Since then they have been leaving little goodies on our front porch about once a week "teasing" Austin without telling him if he really got his wish.  At the same time, Make a Wish called me and asked if they could use Austin's picture for their campaign with Lin's Market here in St. George.  When one of our friends let us know they saw Austin's picture at Lin's, we had to go check it out.

 Austin was surprised and amazed at the huge number of stars on the wall spelling out his name and hanging from the ceiling, each one representing someone that donated money to Make a Wish.  Austin had his picture taken with the manager of the store and was treated like a celebrity.  It was so fun!  The employees were excited to meet Austin and put a real kid with the posters and the story.

Finally after weeks of teasing Austin, his wish grantors, Heather and her son, Colby came to our house and sent Austin on a scavenger hunt to get his wish granted.  They didn't know it, but this was one of the best ways they could have announced this to Austin because he loves puzzles and treasure hunts.  So off we went on the hunt, stopping at 3 different places until we ended up at Lin's market for the big party.  

Recognizing the Lin's employees that helped raise money for Make A Wish

 With a cake, balloons, and lots of cheering, they announced that Austin would receive his wish to go to Disney World.  He had the biggest smile on his face!

Cake time!

So let the fun begin!  We are so excited to go.  A huge thanks to Make A Wish for granting Austin's wish and for Heather and Colby and Lin's for making it happen.

A little TPA goes a long way

Time again for Austin's monthly blood draw and checkup with our Pediatrician.  Usually no big deal.  This time when the home health nurse came to draw Austin's blood, she couldn't get his port to draw back.  She poked him twice, much to Austin's anguish.  Poor kid just hates it.  He consents to the first poke but the second one is more pain mixed with stress and fear as well.  When the nurse still couldn't get the port to work we headed to Dr. Marsden's office for his checkup.  That went well so we headed over to the Pediatric floor to figure out the problem with his port.  

So thrilled to be here :(

 Our favorite nurse, Jason, poked the very bruised port site but once again no blood.  So bring on the big guns.  TPA or Activase is a drug used to dissolve blood clots in central lines.  The idea is to inject the drug just into the port and let it break down the clot.  So you put it in and wait...and in our case... wait...and wait.  

Using the "freezy spray" to numb his skin before the poke

Trying to get the port to work--no luck

Wasting time waiting for the TPA to work

Austin's favorite way to pass the time---grilled cheese, sweet potato, and cake--weird but yummy

ahhhh....finally!!!  So happy to see that blood!

Finally after about 4 hours and multiple attempts, FINALLY we got blood.  I can't tell you how relieved I was to see that precious red stuff.  If it hadn't worked we would have been on our way to Salt Lake for surgery and a new port.  Yuck.  So grateful all was well in the end.

Austin's stats for this month---Weight 44.2 kg (same as last month), HCT 35.2, Platelets 238, and ANC 2100 (!)  We knew his counts would go up since we had stopped his Chemo for 2 weeks when his feet were bad.  

Happy 10th Birthday Austin!!!

 I can't believe this amazing kid is 10!!  He is obsessed with a game called Minecraft and he designed his cake based on that.  It was super yummy.  Happy birthday my sweet boy!

Playing with his gift from his Uncles Blake and Bryant

Blood and Bone Marrow Drive

In honor of Austin's one year anniversary of fighting Leukemia as well as to recognize September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we teamed up with the Red Cross for a blood drive.  One of my co-workers, Lisa, helped coordinate with the Red Cross and we advertised in the hospital where Kevin and I work.  Several of my co-workers also volunteered to help out.  We couldn't have pulled this off without all these wonderful people and I can't thank them enough for their support.

Kevin's turn

 I also contacted Be the Match and they sent me some packets for people to swab their cheeks and be on the National Bone Marrow Registry.  This is close to my heart because if Austin does relapse in the future he will need a Bone Marrow transplant.  

Shaylyn manning the Bone Marrow Registry Table

Giving my blood

Some of my NICU family--these people are amazing

The blood drive was a great success!  The Red Cross had a goal of 16 successful donations and we were able to have 24.  Thanks so much to all those that donated.  I encourage everyone to donate regularly.   It is one of the truly selfless things that you can do for another person.  One donation can save up to 3 lives.