Post BMT day 278
+278
We had a fun, packed weekend and Tate did amazing.
Tate was recruited for a national program called “Team Impact” a while ago. They pair a Child with chronic/critical illnesses with a college sports team. The team “signs” them and they Participate in all kinds of team things. The kids can go to practices and games but also non sport things too like just hanging out, texting, etc. Tatum was paired with the girls Regis College Softball team (located in Denver.) The teams coach, Nicole, actually lives right in Barefoot Lakes, which is a big neighborhood in our city of Firestone. She is a remarkable human and all these girls are so blessed to be coached by her. On Friday, there was a team Christmas party/dinner at her house that Tim, Tate & I were invited to. Tatum loved putting faces to the girls who regularly message her and had a blast just hanging out. Most of the team are either nursing students or going into another area of medicine. They have been so welcoming and kind. Tate has added 20+ ”big sisters.” For the ones that live in CO, the girls are making plans to hang with Tatum over their break. So so grateful! Tate was singing in the car on the way home! This is filling a huge social void for Tatum.
Saturday afternoon was Make A Wish shopping. It’s been on hold for a couple years, but is back. The wish kids are paired with “shoppers” and taken into the huge conference room at Children’s. The room is filled with a department store variety and amount of gifts. The kids shop for everyone in their family. This year the event was pretty low key as to the amount of kids there at one time. It used to be a one day event. It’s now two days with 4 time slots. Tate is an “S” and was in the final slot on the second day. Only a handful of kids there, they set her up. Her Joy was contagious and that Tatum magic that I’ve seen so little of was back. We saw our wish coordinator when Tate was Fairview HS wish kid 3 years ago! Tate had volunteers cheering and clapping for her as they pushed her out in her wheelchair and her “shoppers” helped us load the car. It was a magical moment for me and I couldn’t stop the tears. Tatum’s joy and gratitude were palpable. And I was just so grateful for a place where she could just be and they met her where she was at to create an amazing memory for her.
We didn’t stop there. We were given Disney on ice tickets by Childrens Hospital. Floor seats, surrounded by other masked, CHCO patients. This was always something I dreamt of taking all 4 of my kids to as they were growing up. It was Disney magical and I am so thankful to be able to take Tate-even at 15! I love that she’s never “too old” or too above just enjoying herself. Engaging with the characters and the mostly younger kids around her, making sure they we’re having fun. So so special!
And finally, our ladies Advent By Candlelight was Sunday night. Tate slept all day trying to rally for it. And did! She put on her new sassy “leather” pants and went with me. (I forgot pictures. ) It was overwhelming for her and created a lot of anxiety to be in an environment that was once so easy and familiar and now felt strange with many familiar, but unfamiliar faces too. It’s hard to explain the difference between a medically supported event where you fit, to a normal world event where your medical path makes you feel so different. It was beautiful though and so special for some truly special and long time framily to get to see her face. Tate has lots of beloved “grandmas and aunties” at our church. So much love was felt. But nights bring tremendous pain and Tate left with Tim about 45 minutes in. Still a success by all measures.
That was her weekend. An insane amount of fun and growth! And an opportunity for Tate to really push. There’s been a shift this week. It isn’t that physically, things are amazing. But an acceptance has taken place which is a big part of being able to learn to live with what’s in front of you. To realize you WANT to live despite. It feels good. And hopeful. There’s a happiness floating around here that has been missing. And lots of grateful tears from this mama.