Time to DOUBLE up!! 2 for 1 Pre-TR!!!!!!! TRIP REPORT HAS STARTED!!!!!!!

[KatMark]

Here you guys go again... talking over on my PTR. Actually it's good you are cuz some of us have been MIA!

My Juliana post is coming up in a few minutes.

Well, someone has to keep the home fires going because as you said SOMEONE has been MIA!

Sitting here on pins and needles now waiting for the post....

 

[KatMark]

We're women- what can we say?

Yes, we are. And as we pointed out to you earlier in this thread (or was it your trip report thread), us women rule and you just have to learn to accept it.

 

[that's nice]

I think most of you know that Juliana has been through some struggles in her short life already. For those who don't know, Juliana was diagnosed with cancer. At her 1 year well check up, her pediatrician felt what she thought was an enlarged spleen. Juliana was sick the week before (one of only 2 times she was sick in her first year) so our pedi thought it could of been from that. We went back to the doctor two weeks later and it was still there. From the pediatrician office they sent us to get an ultasound and bloodwork. They did the ultasound and didn't even get to the bloodwork. They sent us back to the pediatricians office. We immediately knew something was wrong.

When we arrived back at the pediatricians they had someone waiting at the door for us and immediately brought us into her office. She gave us directions to CCMC (Connecticut Children's Medical Center) and said that they were expecting us. Needless to say we were freaking out. We arrived at CCMC around 2pm and it was too late to do a CAT scan so we went home. We had an appointment the next morning for her CAT scan.

We were supposed to make her drink 100cc of the dye so they can get a good view on what was going on inside her. Juliana didn't drink anything but water and milk- so we forced as much of the fluid in as we could. When we got to the hospital she was supposed to drink another 100cc of the fluid. This was the first time meeting Juliana's nurse Barbara. We needed to get the fluid into her, so I was holding Juliana and Barbara was using a syringe to get it into Ana's mouth. Juliana was screaming and fighting us for over an hour. (Barbara remembers this to this day.. and we think she is still traumatized by it).

She had her CAT scan and after we were sitting in a room in the oncologists office. Our family was in the waiting room- it was just Juliana, Melody, and I in the room. 2 doctors and Barbara came in and told us that Juliana had what they thought was a Wilms Tumor- a malignant cancer. The feeling that I had at that moment I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. How can a kid who was hardly ever sick go from being healthy one day to having cancer the next?

I have more details that I will talk about at a later date but Juliana ended up with a nephrectomy- the removal of her kidney and about 6 months of chemotherapy. She is doing very well now and we thank God every day that we have her.

Our nurse has been asking us when we were going to apply to Make-A-Wish for Juliana. Melody finally did a few weeks ago and Juliana was approved for a wish! We are really excited for her! We received a letter saying that Juliana was being assigned wish granters and they will be contacting us in the next few weeks to set up an appointment to see what Juliana's wish will be. We are hoping she wishes to goto Disney! We would be able to stay at Give Kids the World Village and I think it would be the best trip ever.

So that is the news for now. (There is no baby news... sorry to disappoint LOLOL)

 

[KatMark]

I think most of you know that Juliana has been through some struggles in her short life already. For those who don't know, Juliana was diagnosed with cancer. At her 1 year well check up, her pediatrician felt what she thought was an enlarged spleen. Juliana was sick the week before (one of only 2 times she was sick in her first year) so our pedi thought it could of been from that. We went back to the doctor two weeks later and it was still there. From the pediatrician office they sent us to get an ultasound and bloodwork. They did the ultasound and didn't even get to the bloodwork. They sent us back to the pediatricians office. We immediately knew something was wrong.

When we arrived back at the pediatricians they had someone waiting at the door for us and immediately brought us into her office. She gave us directions to CCMC (Connecticut Children's Medical Center) and said that they were expecting us. Needless to say we were freaking out. We arrived at CCMC around 2pm and it was too late to do a CAT scan so we went home. We had an appointment the next morning for her CAT scan.

We were supposed to make her drink 100cc of the dye so they can get a good view on what was going on inside her. Juliana didn't drink anything but water and milk- so we forced as much of the fluid in as we could. When we got to the hospital she was supposed to drink another 100cc of the fluid. This was the first time meeting Juliana's nurse Barbara. We needed to get the fluid into her, so I was holding Juliana and Barbara was using a syringe to get it into Ana's mouth. Juliana was screaming and fighting us for over an hour. (Barbara remembers this to this day.. and we think she is still traumatized by it).

She had her CAT scan and after we were sitting in a room in the oncologists office. Our family was in the waiting room- it was just Juliana, Melody, and I in the room. 2 doctors and Barbara came in and told us that Juliana had what they thought was a Wilms Tumor- a malignant cancer. The feeling that I had at that moment I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. How can a kid who was hardly ever sick go from being healthy one day to having cancer the next?

I have more details that I will talk about at a later date but Juliana ended up with a nephrectomy- the removal of her kidney and about 6 months of chemotherapy. She is doing very well now and we that God every day that we have her.

Our nurse has been asking us when we were going to apply to Make-A-Wish for Juliana. Melody finally did a few weeks ago and Juliana was approved for a wish! We are really excited for her! We received a letter saying that Juliana was being assigned wish granters and they will be contacting us in the next few weeks to set up an appointment to see what Juliana's wish will be. We are hoping she wishes to goto Disney! We would be able to stay at Give Kids the World Village and I think it would be the best trip ever.

So that is the news for now. (There is no baby news... sorry to disappoint LOLOL)

Tim, this is great news that Juliana was approved for a wish! I am so happy. I hope she wishes for Disney too...and I bet that she does.

And the baby news will come soon enough. There is no disappointment in that...although we'd love another Juliana to call our "CSR Baby" and to fuss over, the time will come when you and Mel are ready.

 

[All7OfUs]

I think this might be even better than baby news!!! Baby news comes when God says so, and although God certainly plays a part in Wish Trips, I think they more fall into people being generous and kind category! I will be waiting on pins and needles to hear what kind of wish Ana chooses!! Of course, WDW would be really cool, but wow, they sky is the limit. Very cool!

Tim, a technical ?? How long does Ana have to be in remission before they call it cured? And what are the chances of her other kidney being affected or what if it also goes bad for some other reason?? Would she be able to have a transplant at some point??

Celebrating with you!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Congrats!!!!!

 

[onelilspark]

That's great news for Juliana!

 

[maroo]

I am so, so excited!!!!!!




The Princess gets a WISH!!!

I can't wait to hear all about what she decides!

 

[DisneyDaddy-O]

That is great news, I hope she picks Disney.

I didn't know your story and her struggles, I know that feeling is one of complete dismay, my father passed this August and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. I feel your pain.

I am so happy that she is doing better and pray that it continues, she is truly a gift. I hope she enjoys her Wish. Congrats.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I am so happy that she is doing better and pray that it continues, she is truly a gift. I hope she enjoys her Wish. Congrats.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Congratulations!

 

[that's nice]

Yes, we are. And as we pointed out to you earlier in this thread (or was it your trip report thread), us women rule and you just have to learn to accept it.

I accept it.. although I am not happy about it!

Tim, this is great news that Juliana was approved for a wish! I am so happy. I hope she wishes for Disney too...and I bet that she does.

I think she will.. who knows maybe she will want to go cruising or to Hawaii. Who would give her that idea?

I think this might be even better than baby news!!! Baby news comes when God says so, and although God certainly plays a part in Wish Trips, I think they more fall into people being generous and kind category! I will be waiting on pins and needles to hear what kind of wish Ana chooses!! Of course, WDW would be really cool, but wow, they sky is the limit. Very cool!

Tim, a technical ?? How long does Ana have to be in remission before they call it cured? And what are the chances of her other kidney being affected or what if it also goes bad for some other reason?? Would she be able to have a transplant at some point??

Celebrating with you!!

Technically she is considered cured 5 years off of treatment. We constantly have to push her to drink so she stays hydrated. When she gets older we have to limit some of her activities like no skydiving, base jumping, tackle football, etc. Since she only has one kidney she has to be very careful. People can live full lives with only one kidney. When she grows up she might want to talk to a nutritionist to give her ideas how to eat healthy.

Congrats!!!!!

Thanks!!!!

That's great news for Juliana!

We are so happy for her. She deserves it.

I am so, so excited!!!!!!




The Princess gets a WISH!!!

I can't wait to hear all about what she decides!

I hope they don't make us take the trip right away. It would be nice to be able to go at the end of next year.

Now we have to see what she will wish for. HMMMMMMMM

 

[All7OfUs]

When she grows up she might want to talk to a nutritionist to give her ideas how to eat healthy.

So, does this mean she isn't learning from you?

 

[KatMark]

So, does this mean she isn't learning from you?

God, you make my day!

 

[All7OfUs]

Was just sorta thinkin' that pizza and beer may not be the best nutritional intake.







JK, Tim, I know your cooking rocks. You master chef you!

 

[that's nice]

So, does this mean she isn't learning from you?

God, you make my day!

Oh boy what did I do? You ladies gonna team up on me all the time now??? LOLOL

Was just sorta thinkin' that pizza and beer may not be the best nutritional intake.

Not the best for a 3 year old, but for a 32 year old it is perfect!

We actually eat pretty good, but if she turns into an alcoholic later on in life she will have some serious issues. I'm sure she will have to be careful taking certain medications and stuff like that. Making sure she stays hydrated is the most important part. For her 3 months oncologist appointments they always test her kidney function.

Now go to bed it must be after 1AM there!!!!!!

 

[KatMark]

Oh boy what did I do? You ladies gonna team up on me all the time now??? LOLOL

Only because we LOVE YOU!

Not the best for a 3 year old, but for a 32 year old it is perfect!

We actually eat pretty good, but if she turns into an alcoholic later on in life she will have some serious issues. I'm sure she will have to be careful taking certain medications and stuff like that. Making sure she stays hydrated is the most important part. For her 3 months oncologist appointments they always test her kidney function.

Now go to bed it must be after 1AM there!!!!!!

My grandmother lived to the ripe age of 91 with one kidney (it was taken out somewhere in her young teens). Juliana seems to me to be a very smart young girl already, and with you and Mel leading the way, I see things working out beautifully.

 

[All7OfUs]

It's actually after 2. Need to get some sleep to be functional tom. Even good coffee can't fix much after a 2:30 bedtime.

 

[that's nice]

That is great news, I hope she picks Disney.

I didn't know your story and her struggles, I know that feeling is one of complete dismay, my father passed this August and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. I feel your pain.

I am so happy that she is doing better and pray that it continues, she is truly a gift. I hope she enjoys her Wish. Congrats.

I think I remember you posting about your father on the DIS Dads board. I'm sorry for your loss.

She is a really good kid. We are so lucky to have her in our lives and I don't know what we would of done if something happened to her. She is getting a little spoiled with all these Disney trips.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Congratulations!

We are still waiting for the call from the wish granters. That should be interesting.

 

[MaryAz]

A big congrats to Ana on getting her wish. Can't wait to hear what she picks!!

 

[that's nice]

My grandmother lived to the ripe age of 91 with one kidney (it was taken out somewhere in her young teens). Juliana seems to me to be a very smart young girl already, and with you and Mel leading the way, I see things working out beautifully.

Thank you Kathy. We know 2 people who are living with one kidney and they lead normal lives. That is what we are hoping for with Juliana

It's actually after 2. Need to get some sleep to be functional tom. Even good coffee can't fix much after a 2:30 bedtime.

You gonna be pulling an all nighter?

A big congrats to Ana on getting her wish. Can't wait to hear what she picks!!

When we first asked her what she would like she said to see her friend Victoria who lives in Indiana. We are going to Disney with them in March.

I wonder what she is going to say to the wish granters. LOLOL