March 19, 2025
Day 48
3/19/25
Tomorrow makes 7 weeks here. It’s actually difficult to remember everything that has happened since we’ve been here. We came in for something serious, but simple in our world….a bacterial blood infection. We’ve landed in something so much more complicated and that’s come with a lot of emotions and more grieving for fear of progression, new diagnoses and a lot of processing everything around that. I’ve had appointments almost everyday for the last couple weeks for something on the legal end of things. This medical world is much too complex for Tate to manage alone as an “adult.” So there’s a lot of legal protection to put into place for Tate. We’re working with a lawyer and social worker, case workers and county representatives. This is not what turning 18 looks like for most kids. Others are choosing next steps like college tours and senior class trips. Deciding on careers and summer jobs. Planning graduation parties and sharing senior pics. Final concerts and performances. Last sports games and final high school proms and social events. And graduation. Tate missed going to high school or participating in any of that. Yet, that doesn’t stop this era of her life from being over. Tate current dream is fighting for a quality day that isn’t consumed by pain.
We rarely sit in this place as it’s too painful. Instead we take it one day at a time and look for gratitude in the simple things. But some days the fatigue and grief catch up and are harder than others. Theres a lot of disappointment and missed opportunity mixed in too. The reality is that it’s been a really long road for most to continue to journey on with us. And we get it. We’d choose a different path if we could too. But we appreciate those who are hanging in there and still walking with us.