Six Months and Counting

Six months ago today, our daughter went from being in a coma to having a liver transplant.  Her illness occurred so suddenly, that we were not prepared for the drastic decisions we had to make under extreme duress.  We were devastated to learn that she could not recover on her own.  Sadie had been walking and talking only a couple of days before.  We were dealing with a great deal of stress, shock, and to be honest, our lives haven't been the same since.  After her transplant and several other emergency surgeries, our sick daughter began to heal very quickly.  We were told that she was the first liver transplant recipient walking by the time she left the hospital.  We came home weeks earlier than doctors had predicted.  They had even told us we might be in Salt Lake for half a year.  I was devastated to think that I might not be able to be with our other daughters for months.  Today is the day I focused on-- my birthday and Sadie's six month date-- praying for the best and just hoping to be home before now.  We have been very blessed.
Although I had been looking forward to slow, relaxed summer days, life just seems to keep rushing at us.  I am frequently asked how Sadie is doing.  (This really bothers her sisters; they think it means that others care more for her than them.)  Most of the time, she is great.  She runs, dances, sings, plays, reads and teases like other kids.  We got her on a t-ball team for the first time this year to give her a chance to just be a normal kid.  She looks and acts like a normal, energetic kid most of the time.
The past couple of weeks have been an exception.  Sadie fatigues easily and has a harder time getting getting her energy back.  It's taken us a while to figure this out.  Her blood work shows that her body is currently fighting an illness that makes her tired.  We have simplified her life as much as possible.  This week, we've stayed home, painted, read, played quietly, watched more TV than usual and played on the computer.  She's also taken long naps daily.  I am sad to see her withdrawn and not be able to help her.  We are hoping that by keeping her activities calm, her body will be better able to fight off infection and prevent a trip back to the hospital.
But... back to happier things, last week Rebecca, our Make-A-Wish friend came to let us know that Sadie's wish has been approved.  Once Sadie's healthier, our family will get to travel to Florida to Disney World and   Harry Potter Land.  There is a village called Give Kids The World just for kids with life threatening illnesses to stay at.  The kids can eat ice cream for free all day long.  They can look at animals on a safari and ride a merry-go-round.  We are hoping this will help heal some of the hurt our children all feel.  Officially, Sadie's wish is to take pictures of the princesses.  She is constantly swiping my camera to take pictures.  I guess Alyssa is following in Sadie's footsteps.  She took 83 pictures and videos the other day.  We knew it was her by the many, many shots of her face as she tried to figure out what she was doing.  

Sadie T-ball Champ

Hiking at Cress Creek

Happy Hikers

 Making Lemonade our of lemons... since Sadie has to go to Primary's often, we turned her last doctors appointment into our family vacation.  It was fun, until she got worn out, and then it was really, really hard, but we have some good memories.

Remember how she's supposed to stay away from mountain lions?  How about saber tooth tigers... are they okay? 

Hanging out with some awesome cousins

Looking for fossils

Hanging out with some of our favorite people

Kiss a frog and make a wish

Our baby boy's one-- when did that happen?

 Back at home, our life consists of just making it through each day the best we can.  Here are some shots from our summer of craziness.

Has this cute girl ever had a clean face?

Sadie snuggling with her doll

Everybody loves a parade

Fourth of July Smiles

Celebrate good times

Thank you to so many people for praying for our family and helping us in so many ways.  We are very grateful.  I've thought a lot today about a family I've never met.  Actually, the only thing I know about them is that somewhere, six months ago, another person's death allowed my six year old the chance to live.  I've cried for this family today.  I'm grateful for their sacrifice and sad for the pain they must feel so acutely at this anniversary date for their loved one.  I am so grateful for their charity at the death of their family member.  I wonder how one can ever adequately thank someone for allowing their child a chance to grow up.