Dreamin' Tour

About a year and a half ago Bob and I made a deal, we would someday pack up the car and take Erica on a road trip. We had been in the hospital for so long, we were not able to go anywhere for any length of time do to her consistent blood draws and infusions, and at the point that we had this conversation, we were required to keep her indoors 24/7. So, for fun, we planned a trip and we called it the "California Dreamin' Tour". The trip consisted of San Diego-beach, Sea World and swimming, LA-visit with family, beach, and Disneyland, and then Monterey Bay Aquarium. We discussed other possible stops along the way and just enjoyed imagining what it would be like to just be able to leave with our little girl without the daily fear of an ER visit. And so, in September of this year . . . The California Dreamin' Tour became a reality.

The highlights of Erica's trip were, the pink hotel (in La Jolla), the whale that goes up and down (at Sea World), the tea cups, Mickey and Minnie, Snow While, Sleeping Beauty, Tinkerbell (all at Disneyland), Gene Burd (my uncle), "Gate Gandpa" (great-grandpa), and swimming! She still talks about all of these things . . . . her memories of our vacation.

We had a wonderful time; nana and papa came for most of the trip. My mom's favorite memory (a much anticipated event) was holding Erica thru "It's a small world". We all had tears in our eyes . . . "we're here, we're really here, and Erica feels great!"

I remember telling people many, many months ago that when I report that Erica is getting her immunizations, that will be the next milestone, that will be a time to pause, smile, and recognize how much healing has taken place.

Erica received her first round of immunizations last week.

In two weeks, she will go in for a blood draw to determine her blood's reaction; basically we will know if the immunizations were effective or not. If not, we will wait until her immunosupression decreases. If there is a response, we will go forward with the next round. She is basically starting from scratch (as a newborn would). It is really a wonderful thing.

Now, in the spirit of reporting the whole story . . . Erica's leg became infected after the shots. Huge bummer; she is on another, new, antibiotic to rid her body of the infection. She hates the taste of the med but understands that it will help her leg feel better; she is a very good sport but demands that the dose be followed by an M&M.

Speaking of M&M's . . . Erica hit yet another milestone - she is daytime potty trained!!!! Woo-hoo!!! We just switched to Princess Panties, said "bye-bye" to the diapers and two days later she's down with the program. Oh, yes . . . as long as the successful potty mission is followed by an M&M.

Great things to report, we are truely blessed.

Sammie

There is a new angel in Heaven today, Sammie passed away yesterday morning.

My tears were confusing yesterday . . . I knew this day would come. Every time I opened her blog there was a part of me that hoped her suffering was over, that she was at peace and then, of course, there was the part that wanted her family to have yet another day with her. My tears held images of Sammie, memories from the few times that I was lucky enough to be in her company. Images of her mom and dad at her bedside, wondering how, in a million years they have endured. And God bless Sammie's brother and sister.

I thought too, about the tears shed by her extended family, by her friends, by her community and then by the thousands of people who followed her blog, and the many who never even met her. Sammie's life changed lives and her mother's words gave people hope and strength that they never knew possible. I hope that God will show her the difference she made.

God, bless this family, welcome Sammie with celebration, and comfort us from the agonizing wonder of "why?".

Peace is yours sweet Sammie!