Before Jonathan got sick, I'd heard of Make a Wish granting wishes for sick children. I never in a million years thought we'd be applying to get a wish granted for one of our children. I'd always thought Make a Wish was only for terminal children...kids who wanted one last trip or gift for their bucket list. As we entered the pediatric cancer world, we realized how many amazing charities are out there that are geared towards helping families through this hard time.
I decided to apply to Make a Wish once we got the "all clear" scan for Jonathan that his Burkitt's Lymphoma was gone. Their website helpfully explains that a child needs to have faced a life threatening illness to qualify, and not necessarily be facing a terminal diagnosis. Mid-way through his chemo cycles we started promising Jonathan a trip to Legoland when he was "all better". He became a lego wiz in the hospital. Every time a volunteer or child life specialist would pop their head into the room and ask if he needed anything, he'd put on this charming little smile and ask if he could have some legos. I can't even tell you how many sets we came home with. An amazing volunteer from Make a Wish came to our home yesterday carrying balloons, lego decorations and goodies and gave us our full itinerary. As the normal researcher/planner in our family, I can't tell you what an amazing gift it is for someone to just hand me a completely planned trip. We don't even have to worry about how to get to the airport, they're sending a car to take us and pick us up. They've planned airfare, rental car, hotel, attraction tickets, the whole nine yards down to even giving us spending money for food and souvenirs for the kids. If you ever have spare change laying around, give some to Make a Wish. Our family was incredibly isolated during cancer treatment. Jonathan had two stretches that involved 4 weeks straight in the hospital. 4 weeks without him getting to see his little sister except over video chat. 4 weeks of Clara only having one parent home in the evenings and an extra person watching her during the days so Jeff could keep working. While our family is no longer separated, life has gotten back to its fast pace. It's great to have a dedicated period of time that all four of us can be together and make some good memories together. God has blessed our family even during the hard times of facing cancer with Jonathan. He is good. He was good when we lost my dad to cancer. He was good when we lost Jeff's mom to cancer. He is good while we watch another dear friend struggle with a new cancer diagnosis. "God works all things together to good, for those who love God, for those called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. To God be the glory!
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AuthorOur family has been through non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with our 4 year old and throughout it all we felt God's presence. My life verse is Romans 8:28. "God works all things together for good..." Archives
February 2017
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