Hi I am Heather and I am very new to this. I have been lurking and reading some of your trip reports to find out some info. My story is a bit different from most of yours.
I will start by introducing my family. I am Heather 35, stay at home mom. My husband is Steve 35, distribution worker. We have been married almost 9 years. I had 2 children with my first husband that my husband now has legally adopted. They are Bri (14) and Alex (almost 12). My husband and I felt led by God to do foster care in 2004. We fostered for about 5 years and had 8 children placed in our home during that time. Gracie came to us in June of 07. She had been extremely abused. Gracie found her special place in our hearts and in our family. She became our 3rd forever child in October of 08. A few months after Gracie, in November of 07 Lhea came to our home. Lhea was diagnosed at 5 months old with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). She was a very sick little girl. She was removed from her birth family for neglect and medical neglect. Her birth family wasnt caring for her. She was not getting the medications she needed or being brought to the hospital for her chemo treatments or checkups. This added 4 more months onto her treatment for a total of 16 months of chemo/steroid treatment. It wasnt long after Lhea was removed that her biological sister Ciera was also removed. Ciera was originally placed with another foster family. The agency felt that us having 4 children, one who we were going to court with to prosecute her family for the severe abuse and another who was so sick, was a lot of work for us. But I couldnt imagine the sisters being kept away from each other. I fought hard to have Ciera placed in our home. Eventually I won. In December of 07 we became a family with 5 children. After social services many unsuccessful attempts of reunifying Lhea and Ciera with their birth family, the girls were placed for adoption. In January 10 we officially became a forever family of 7. (Lea is now 4, Ciera almost 6 and Gracie just turned 9)
About a month ago I joined a group of moms who have children with LCH. I heard that many of the children we getting wishes from Make A Wish so I sent an email asking if Lhea was eligible even though she was now in remission. They called several times and sent paperwork to her oncologist. A couple of weeks later we were told that she is medically eligible. I was so thrilled that this child who has had such a rough start in life will have a chance to feel extra special. Make A Wish called a couple of weeks ago and said that the local volunteers should be contacting us to interview Lhea. We havent heard anything yet. Last week we did receive an official letter saying that Lhea was medically eligible and listed our volunteers names. We are anxiously awaiting their call. Lhea has said that her wish is to dance with princes Tiana at Disney World. She is so excited already and is asking every day.
I know that I am starting posting way early but I would love advice from other wish parents.
I will start by introducing my family. I am Heather 35, stay at home mom. My husband is Steve 35, distribution worker. We have been married almost 9 years. I had 2 children with my first husband that my husband now has legally adopted. They are Bri (14) and Alex (almost 12). My husband and I felt led by God to do foster care in 2004. We fostered for about 5 years and had 8 children placed in our home during that time. Gracie came to us in June of 07. She had been extremely abused. Gracie found her special place in our hearts and in our family. She became our 3rd forever child in October of 08. A few months after Gracie, in November of 07 Lhea came to our home. Lhea was diagnosed at 5 months old with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). She was a very sick little girl. She was removed from her birth family for neglect and medical neglect. Her birth family wasnt caring for her. She was not getting the medications she needed or being brought to the hospital for her chemo treatments or checkups. This added 4 more months onto her treatment for a total of 16 months of chemo/steroid treatment. It wasnt long after Lhea was removed that her biological sister Ciera was also removed. Ciera was originally placed with another foster family. The agency felt that us having 4 children, one who we were going to court with to prosecute her family for the severe abuse and another who was so sick, was a lot of work for us. But I couldnt imagine the sisters being kept away from each other. I fought hard to have Ciera placed in our home. Eventually I won. In December of 07 we became a family with 5 children. After social services many unsuccessful attempts of reunifying Lhea and Ciera with their birth family, the girls were placed for adoption. In January 10 we officially became a forever family of 7. (Lea is now 4, Ciera almost 6 and Gracie just turned 9)
About a month ago I joined a group of moms who have children with LCH. I heard that many of the children we getting wishes from Make A Wish so I sent an email asking if Lhea was eligible even though she was now in remission. They called several times and sent paperwork to her oncologist. A couple of weeks later we were told that she is medically eligible. I was so thrilled that this child who has had such a rough start in life will have a chance to feel extra special. Make A Wish called a couple of weeks ago and said that the local volunteers should be contacting us to interview Lhea. We havent heard anything yet. Last week we did receive an official letter saying that Lhea was medically eligible and listed our volunteers names. We are anxiously awaiting their call. Lhea has said that her wish is to dance with princes Tiana at Disney World. She is so excited already and is asking every day.
I know that I am starting posting way early but I would love advice from other wish parents.
