Owen's Wish DISNEYWORLD 2011!!

[Owensheart]

The wish granters from Make-A-Wish came last night and Owen wished for a trip to DISNEYWORLD!!! Before I introduce you to our cast of characters... I will start with the biggest introduction of the main character.. it is HIS wish after all!!

Meet Owen

Owen was born in January 2008 with a severe heart defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The left side of his heart was underdeveloped and without corrective surgery shortly after his birth... he would die. The corrective surgery is performed in three stages... the Norwood (birth) , the Glenn (3-9mo) and the Fontan (2-4yrs). These surgeries won't fix his heart, but allow him to survive with 1/2 a heart until a transplant is necessary.

Owen had the first two surgeries in his first three months of life and at 10 months old was told he would need a heart transplant. We traveled 800 miles every few months from AZ to Palo Alto, CA to work with the transplant team at Stanford. Just this past December, we were told that since he's doing so great, he might actually qualify for the last pallative surgery (the Fontan). Before we can decide if the Fontan is possible, Owen had to undergo a 3rd open heart surgery to fix his severly leaking Tricuspid Valve. The surgery was a success and now we are just allowing his body time to heal. In July, we will go back to Stanford for a Cath and MRI to determine if the Fontan will work. If so, Owen will have a 4th open heart surgery (the Fontan) in late August. It's so exciting to see how far he's come... just two short years ago.. our only option was transplant. Miracle!!

We can't wait to plan his make a wish trip to Disneyworld and make it the best experience this little boy could imagine! We're hoping the excitment of his trip will motivate him to push through this summer of testing and surgery. He's going to get thorugh this and then we will celebrate at Disneyworld!!

We've never been to Disneyworld and would love any and ALL advice you have. We don't have dates yet, but put in requests for the first and second week of December. We know there is a ton of Holiday fun at Disney! I read all about GKTW and we are so excited at the idea of staying there! We spoke with our Granters about extending our trip (out of pocket) so we can see and do more while there. We should hear in the next couple of weeks exact dates/details/ect. If anyone has ideas of places to stay around the Magic Kingdom (for our extended trip).. money isn't a huge issue, we just want somewhere amazing!

Thanks for joining us!!

 

[cogero]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am adding you to my prayer list.

 

[mrssmith06]

Owen is so adorable!!! I'm happy to hear that he got a Disney World wish granted!! I'm sure going during the holiday season will be absolutely magical for him. You'll learn a lot here on DIS!

 

[Owensheart]

I've introduced you to our wish kid.. Owen. Now it's time to introduce the rest of our family. My husband and I have been married for 12 years.. we started young. We had Kam right away and she is the most amazing girl! Healthy, smart, witty, goofy and the best big sister ever!! After many years of infertility, 8 years to be exact, Owen came along. He has changed the way we view our lives and brought us closer together. Here we are...

We don't have dates yet, but expect Owen's trip to be the beginning of December. We'll have lots of planning to do. We've never been to Disneyworld and have no idea where to start with dining or parks. We have been to Disneyland several times a year so if anyone has questions on DL.. I can give you the hookup.

We can't wait to meet you all. I've read just about every finished TR on the Wish Trippers Thread. Too much time on my hands? Perhaps.

 

[cogero]

I suffered with secondary infertility also. My son was born 6 years after my daughter and had surgery at 2 days for a congenital defect. He is on the autism spectrum but he is our miracle and are blessed to have him.

We love the decorations at Disney. One of our favorite tinges is the Christmas around the world. Each of the countries tell you about how the celebrate.

 

[Owensheart]

I suffered with secondary infertility also. My son was born 6 years after my daughter and had surgery at 2 days for a congenital defect. He is on the autism spectrum but he is our miracle and are blessed to have him.

We love the decorations at Disney. One of our favorite tinges is the Christmas around the world. Each of the countries tell you about how the celebrate.

Small world!! It's great to meet you! How's your son doing now?

We love to go to Disneyland during the Holidays.. it definetly has that extra special magic.

 

[mom2pixies]

You have a beautiful family. Hope you don't mind if I tag along to read all about your journey and Owen's wonderful wish!

 

[brookerene]

I'm signing up! Great photos!

 

[sl_underwood]

What beautiful children. We also sufferred with infertility and ended up adopting. Two of our kids have some issues, my dd 14 has aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder, and was born seriously premature leaving her with the need for heart surgery just weeks after birth. My son is on the autism spectrum. Parenting my kids is an amazing journey, even if it isnt always easy. I imagine you feel the same way.

 

[blessedmom4]

Another CHD Mom here, I don't know how I have missed your PTR. Owen is adorable, Kam is beautiful and I love your family photo!

Owen is DEFINITELY a miracle, I am so happy he will be getting his Wish!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

[xanphylus]

Hiya! I don't have a wish kid, but I'm gonna join in too! I have a big gap in kiddos too, except, one is my step-daughter DD10 (she's mine though! lol) and my DS2. They are my world! Can't wait to read more about you and your family- It will be a great trip for sure!!

 

[billwendy]

The wish granters from Make-A-Wish came last night and Owen wished for a trip to DISNEYWORLD!!! Before I introduce you to our cast of characters... I will start with the biggest introduction of the main character.. it is HIS wish after all!!

Meet Owen

Owen was born in January 2008 with a severe heart defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The left side of his heart was underdeveloped and without corrective surgery shortly after his birth... he would die. The corrective surgery is performed in three stages... the Norwood (birth) , the Glenn (3-9mo) and the Fontan (2-4yrs). These surgeries won't fix his heart, but allow him to survive with 1/2 a heart until a transplant is necessary.

Owen had the first two surgeries in his first three months of life and at 10 months old was told he would need a heart transplant. We traveled 800 miles every few months from AZ to Palo Alto, CA to work with the transplant team at Stanford. Just this past December, we were told that since he's doing so great, he might actually qualify for the last pallative surgery (the Fontan). Before we can decide if the Fontan is possible, Owen had to undergo a 3rd open heart surgery to fix his severly leaking Tricuspid Valve. The surgery was a success and now we are just allowing his body time to heal. In July, we will go back to Stanford for a Cath and MRI to determine if the Fontan will work. If so, Owen will have a 4th open heart surgery (the Fontan) in late August. It's so exciting to see how far he's come... just two short years ago.. our only option was transplant. Miracle!!

We can't wait to plan his make a wish trip to Disneyworld and make it the best experience this little boy could imagine! We're hoping the excitment of his trip will motivate him to push through this summer of testing and surgery. He's going to get thorugh this and then we will celebrate at Disneyworld!!

We've never been to Disneyworld and would love any and ALL advice you have. We don't have dates yet, but put in requests for the first and second week of December. We know there is a ton of Holiday fun at Disney! I read all about GKTW and we are so excited at the idea of staying there! We spoke with our Granters about extending our trip (out of pocket) so we can see and do more while there. We should hear in the next couple of weeks exact dates/details/ect. If anyone has ideas of places to stay around the Magic Kingdom (for our extended trip).. money isn't a huge issue, we just want somewhere amazing!

Thanks for joining us!!

WOO HOO!!!! So happy he is getting his WISH!!! Something the whole family will enjoy!!! We went on my nephews trip last year, so if you have any questions about GKTW or anything just ask!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!

 

[maroo]

Precious!!!!!

Great job on your pre-trip report! You guys are going to have a fantastic time!

 

[Blyssfull]

Joining along for your adventure!

 

[tinytreasures]

 

[Owensheart]

So I feel like I"m finally getting the hang of this. Finally. I spoke with one of Owen's wish granters last night and she said that Owen was assigned a wish manager, but they haven't heard anything more. We are excited at the idea of going in December and I have been checking out all the fun things to do around the holidays. We are waiting on dates and I don't expect to have those anytime soon. It is EIGHT months away!

I asked about the option of staying on site and she had no clue. I also asked about extending our trip (out of pocket) and she had no clue about that either. BUT.. she is determined to find out for us!

That's all the updates I have.

I am busy planning our trip to Stanford for Owen's cath and cardiac MRI in July (still waiting on those dates) and then another trip in August for open heart surgery #4. We are having a crazy 2011!!

What better way to end our year then with a HUGE wish trip to Disneyworld!!!

 

[mom2pixies]

That does sound like a fantastic way to close out the year! Best of luck with the upcoming appointments!

 

[blessedmom4]

So I feel like I"m finally getting the hang of this. Finally. I spoke with one of Owen's wish granters last night and she said that Owen was assigned a wish manager, but they haven't heard anything more. We are excited at the idea of going in December and I have been checking out all the fun things to do around the holidays. We are waiting on dates and I don't expect to have those anytime soon. It is EIGHT months away!

I asked about the option of staying on site and she had no clue. I also asked about extending our trip (out of pocket) and she had no clue about that either. BUT.. she is determined to find out for us!

That's all the updates I have.

I am busy planning our trip to Stanford for Owen's cath and cardiac MRI in July (still waiting on those dates) and then another trip in August for open heart surgery #4. We are having a crazy 2011!!

What better way to end our year then with a HUGE wish trip to Disneyworld!!!

Medical travel, Cardiac Cath, MRI AND Open Heart surgery...you have a long road ahead fo you to get to Disney...but knowing what fighters these heart children are, I KNOW Owen will do GREAT! (so will Mom). You will deserve a MONTH at Disney by then!!!!

 

[blessedmom4]

Hope no one played any pranks on you, except your children!

 

[Owensheart]

I think my husband is going crazy with all my planning. It's at least 8 months from Owen's Make A Wish and I am researching Hotels (for an extended stay out of pocket) and getting familiar with the different parks.

Any suggestions on Hotels? I'm looking at the Polynesian, Contemporary, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge.