So I began party planning for Maci's FIRST birthday about two months ago. I knew I would have to do, decide and make things in stages so I started early. I am mixed with excitement and anxiety. MY BABY IS ABOUT TO BE A YEAR OLD!!! I cannot believe the time. It's a bit sad for me because I feel like I "missed" her first 4 1/2 months by not having her at home. Yea, we were by her side every. single. day. but the last (almost) 7 months at home has been a whirlwind. Lots of milestones, lots of fun, lots of frustration, lots of enjoyment, lots of tears, lots of laughs, lots of being thankful.......
For Maci's party I decided on a cow theme. I'm not sure she will appreciate my calling her a little moo her entire life so while I can, I will. I tell her all the time that we WANT her to be a lil chunky monkey and grow, grow, grow to transplant. Today's current weight is 9.46 kgs.....20.812 lbs. That's 1.188 lbs to go.
Here is Maci's birthday party invitation. I used Picasa (a free Google software downloaded on my laptop) to do a "collage" and added text. I saved it as a .jpg, uploaded to Walgreens and printed for $0.12 each....it was $6 for 50. This was much less expensive than using their template or someone else's template online at $0.28 or more per invite! I am sure not about to start a business and not to "toot my own horn" but I thought for the price it turned out pretty well. Anyone interested in knowing how or has questions, feel free to ask! I love sharing my cost saving tips. You could even do holiday cards this way! I plan on it.
Anyone is welcome to join us to celebrate Maci at her party. To me, this is NOT a day to give her presents but a day to reflect on what we have behind us, to be thankful for her now and to say to the future...BRING IT! We are happy to share this day with anyone wishing to join us as a thank you for supporting us in so many ways. Prayer has gotten Maci this far and we are blessed to have so many people who have put her on their prayer list. Should you not want to come empty handed (but it is perfectly fine that you do), you can bring Maci a book. Books never go out of style or get old. I do read to her even now and hope that she will enjoy reading on her own some day.
To allow me to provide enough food and beverages, please let me know if you are coming by sending me an email - jjmccarrens@hotmail.com or you can let me know on Facebook. :)
Our last dialysis clinic I asked some questions about transplant. As soon as Maci hits 22# her Nephrologist will write a letter to the transplant team to let them know that Maci is a candidate for transplant.
Rick will be the first to be tested to be a match for Maci. They only test one person at a time and your BMI (body mass index) must be 30 or less at the time of transplant as well as being in good health. Rick has already began making changes in diet. He was never a bad eater but he's stopped drinking regular coke and changed to Diet Pepsi (he said it's the most tolerable of all diet drinks with Diet Mt. Dew in 2nd place). He had to loose 10 lbs and has 8 to go. :) God help me if he's not a match and I am. You will find me running around the city 24/7 because I have MUCH more to lose than Rick does. I think it will also be a huge punch in the stomach for Rick if he's not a match so I am praying that he is a PERFECT match for our baby. He and Maci are the same blood type so I just pray he is a match. I would LOVE for her Daddy to give her the second chance at life that she was so unjustly robbed of from the beginning.
Rick does not have vacation time available because he has only been on his job a short time. He also does not qualify for FMLA because you have to be on your job a year. Even without FMLA, I do believe that his employer will be supportive and allow him to return to work.....they have been very understanding so far regarding Maci. We are unsure about STD and should know more when Rick is eligible for benefits next month. Because he lifts on his job, if he is a match for Moo, it is expected that he could be off work up to 8 weeks. If Rick is not a match, he will want and need to be off a few (or several) days for the transplant to be with me and Maci which means no pay.
Someone suggested holding a benefit (thanks Petra) and I think it would be a great idea. If Rick is NOT a match and we have to look to other potential donors, I would love to help off set any costs that they may have. The surgery and hospital stay will be covered but if we could help with offering a donation for them to keep from having the use any or minimal vacation time, I would love it.
I am welcoming ideas for the benefit and can focus more on it after Maci's birthday. You can email me at jjmccarrens@hotmail.com if you are interested in offering a suggestion, donating for a raffle or silent auction or helping with planning. I welcome you!
Thank you all, over and over and over again!
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