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August 31, 2012

Happy Re-Birthday Kate!

I cannot believe we are celebrating this amazing milestone!

As I look back over the past year, part of me feels like we were watching Kate receive new life ages ago but another part of me feels as if it was just yesterday.

One thing is certain though, August 31, 2011 will forever be etched in my mind. Every little detail is so vivid.

I remember Kate woke up happy and was happy for most of the morning. It was the first bit of happiness we'd had in several days. I remember I tweet and FBd that she must know it was her big day!



She walked the halls with pride that day - told everyone hi, waved, smiled.  I really think she knew her little life was about to change.  We admired her door sign - something that isn't hung until transplant day!


I was a nervous wreck all day waiting for the cells to arrive. I even posted about some of the crazy thoughts I had. We weren't anticipating her cells arriving so late and every time her transplant got pushed back, I freaked out a little bit more.

Kate went to sleep and rested for a bit and around 8:30 we started prepping her to receive her cells.  It took Sleeping Beauty a while to wake up! She wasn't happy about being disturbed.

Anabell was our nurse and Dr Olive (to this day I cannot remember her last name - just her first) was the fellow who would be in the room for the entire cell infusion.

When her cells would brought to the room it took my breath away. Just a small bag of red fluids. Nothing fancy. Any stranger that saw it wouldn't stop and think about what that bag meant. It looked ordinary.

But it was so far from normal.

It was filled with LIFE.

It was filled with HOPE.

It was filled with DREAMS.

Seeing the gift that would forever change our lives, and let Kate go on to live, was a moment that took my breath away and filled my eyes with tears.

I was so emotional that I took over the camera and had Alex hold Kate.  I didn't want her to be scared or nervous and I thought my tears (ok let's be honest, my sobs) might freak her out a bit.

I will never forget the moment that we hooked Kate up to her cells.

On Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 9:57pm, the first of Kate's life saving cells reached her precious body.  I will always be thankful I caught the exact moment on camera.

New life began while I was snapping this picture. (The red line is her tube of cells.)

I hid my sobbing face behind the camera while Alex read Kate books and played Peek-a-boo Ocean on the iPad.  She was oblivious to what was going on!

And just like that, we were done! The quickest, yet most important 45 minutes of my life. 

Anabell snapped a picture of us - there is so much wrong with it - Kate is nearly cut out (and looks like she might kill someone), I was incredibly sick, two months pregnant with Will, and looked a hot mess, we were all so tired.

But it is perfect to me. Our first picture of hope!


Kate- you are an inspiration to so many. You are a FIGHTER. You are STRONG. You are SPECIAL. Momma and daddy are so proud of you and we cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned for your life!  You made it sweet girl! Happy re-birthday!

And to the amazing man that selflessly donated his bone marrow to save Kate - THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I will never be able to articulate how thankful we are for you. You are a blessing and an inspiration to so many. I hope that we are able to meet you, hug you, thank you, celebrate you in the near future!

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11 comments:

Rachel said...

Happy re-birthday, Kate! Wonderful, inspirational post! :)

Trisha said...

HAPPY NEW LIFE BIRTHDAY Kate! We are so glad that you have reached this milestone! May God continue to protect your sweet spirit and body. You are an amazing little girl and we are lucky to have been a part of your journey!

Heather said...

What a special day! Happy Re-Birthday Kate!!

[dianegatorfan] said...

This beautiful post seriously choked me up. What an amazing gift! This person gave Kate a gift of life. I am in awe of this blessing! Happy Re-Birthday to your beautiful girl!

Lindsay said...

This post was so emotional! I'm so thankful that she has pulled through and is doing so wonderfully now. I honestly check back almost deaily to make sure all is well with your two sweet babies!! It takes a very, very strong person to go through what you're going throughl...which says a lot for you! Keep up the good work and positive attitude! :)

Smilen Champ said...

Hi kate
My name is Jenna and I came across your site. Hooray Hooray It's Kate's Re birthday today!
Kate, you are a brave warrior, smilen hero, Inspirational earthly angel, Courageous fighter, Beautiful Kate. Special Miracle, Precious Gift.

I was born with a rare life threatening disease, developmental delays, and 14 medical conditions

The Anglin Family said...

Happy Re-birthday Kate! She is such a blessing to so many and it makes me smile to see her sweet pictures every day! She's so beautiful and she is such a strong little girl. Her fight is very inspirational and I am also praying for her and Will all the time! So thankful for such a match and that last picture is an amazing one-I love that sweet Will is in it too:-) New beginnings..

Mary Perry said...

Thanks for sharing that Lindsey. So glad everything has progressed so well for Miss Kate!

Mary Perry said...

Thanks for sharing that Lindsey. So happy that everything is progressing so well for Miss Kate!

Annie said...

Happy belated re-birthday, Kate! This is amazing, Lindsey. That's amazing that you have a picture of the exact moment the donor cells reached Kate's body. I know God has something amazing planned for her life! He has brought her so far already.

Erin said...

This sweet girl always brings tears of joys and reminders of how great He is. She's come so far this year, you all have! So happy for all of you.

Hope your beach getaway is treating you nicely!!

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