Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Special Wish

When Ally was first diagnosed with ALL....well I honestly can hardly remember the first week and everything that occurred. From time to time I will ask my friend Nicki about it (like who had the kids again?!?....or how did I tell you, etc) or I will ask Jerad or my sister. This must be nature's way of blocking out the most awful memory of my life. Which is good. And upon diagnosis, the hemoc team sends people into your hospital room almost hourly to "teach" us everything we need to know about leukemia and support groups and organizations that will help us pay our hospital bills and etc etc. And yet for some reason, I distinctly remember the social worker pulling me across the hall into the lounge on the hemoc floor. She handed me a stack of forms and told me to fill them out so that Allison could get a special wish. I seriously almost started hyperventilating at that moment and I could barely sputter out words to her. " What...what do you mean special wish? She doesn't need a special wish. Isn't that for kids that are dying? My daughter is gonna be fine....no no no" I was seriously almost offended at the prospect. She proceeds to tell me that any child who is facing a "life-threatening" illness is entitled to a special wish. Again I think I uttered something like really, is she qualifying for this??? AHHHHHHHH. And for the 10th time that week I felt like I got punched in the stomach. Again.

I took the forms and filed them away. For months and months....I didn't even look at them. I am not sure why it upset me so....I had seen all those special wish commercials and human interest stories and I just didn't want that to be me and my family. After time, the reality set in and we heard stories about all her hospital friends and their "special wish" AND I started realizing that Ally did deserve a special wish. Someone told me that she deserved to have a wish to look forward to and to help her get through the treatment. A light at the end of the tunnel. And that is very true...but again, I was stubborn and I didn't want to take funds from a charitable organization when in reality I didn't need the funds. I didn't want to be a receiver of charity...when in reality we are givers. We would gladly pay to take her on a trip when this is all said and done.

Well, I have finally come to terms with the whole thing...a full eight months later I finally turned in the forms. I wrote them a long letter explaining all of this. They are an awesome organization, and I want them to be involved in facilitating and planning her trip. They can do so much more than I could ever do. Ally has chosen a very unique wish...most of the kids just want to go to Disney World. I don't have full details of what her wish entails, but I will share them when we do. Most of it revolves around going to Hollywood California and seeing a taping of her favorite show: The Wizards of Waverly Place. The people at the foundation called me yesterday and told me that her wish went in front of their Board and was approved!!! So now they just have to contact the correct people in Hollywood and try to create some magic for Ally. And this is something that I could never do for her. Again, I am so so so so grateful to all of these people who make it their job to make these wishes come true for so many kids.

So stay tuned....I am anxious to find out when and how this will all occur. But Ally is more than excited about the whole thing. She so deserves the full glory of all her wishes coming true. And this will be the light at the end of the tunnel for her. We will look forward to it on all those days that are not so fun....and I believe one is coming again next Tuesday. And Wednesday. Until then, we will continue to live in and cherish the moment we are in!

14 comments:

  1. So cool Ally!!! Can't wait to hear more about and eventually get to see you enjoy your trip. You darn well deserve it!

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  2. I love that wish! Very unique and specific. You have to love a girl who knows what she wants.

    Hugs to you!

    Amanda

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  3. That is so awesome!!! Ally does deserve this. Your whole family does. So excited for you guys!

    Shelley

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  4. you deserve it ally. great wish for a great girl.

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  5. Way to go Ally! I think that's a great wish, can I go in her suitcase?!

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  6. I have to add, Janel that would've been the breaking point for me as well, and I remember telling Matt way back when that she would get a wish...his reaction was like yours, like is this a bad omen, she's not that sick type of thing. I'm so glad that you got your head around the beauty of the wish, she gets a light at the end of the tunnel, and gets to touch the lives of so many who work to make these dreams come true! Selena will never forget her!

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  7. I remember my brother Paul got to go to Disney World and meet Walter Payton b/c he had leukemia (ALL). He had so much fun and will always remember that. Special Wish is a wonderful organization!

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  8. I felt the same way, Janel. I remember thinking that those wishes were for children who just wanted one last wish - and it really freaked me out! But then you see, that after what our kids go through, they really deserve something special, for they have missed out on so much, and had to endure such torture. So enjoy that wish Ally! Sounds like a great trip - it will be amazing, and you all deserve to have some amazing!! xo

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  9. very cool and yes, any child who has to endure what she is going through needs something HUGE to look forward to! something on the horizon!

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  10. I had the same reaction, feelings, emotions, etc. over this! I still haven't filled out my forms, one day......but Allison knows about it and constantly talks about her next trip to Disney will be her "make a wish" so my guess is that is where we will spend it. I, like you, now feel ALL these kids do in fact DESERVE their special wish no matter what their future holds. None of them should endure any of this and I personally can't wait until this happens for her. We are planning to wait until the port is out and we are DONE! What a great wish for Ally, can't wait to hear all about it!

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  11. That is such an amazing wish! Also, Janel...don't forget that the Clark Foundation is supporting the make-a-wish foundation this year! Think of it as your family helping get her to Hollywood! :) I am so excited for Ally and can hardly wait to hear about the upcoming trip! God Bless!
    P/S...I am glad you had fun in Florida. I know I could use a vacation, and I don't even have one as sick as Ally! :)

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  12. Oh my bow awesome is this, I cannot wait to hear how this all comes together. Keep going Janel, you are doing wonderfully and you are right Ally deserves this "special wish" because she is a "special girl". Take care

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  13. what a great wish. they all surprise us. a dear girl at our church wished to go to Lourdes france to be bathed in the Holy waters hoping for a cure to her rare brain tumor..... we are all with you as you brave these times.....
    www.catieswish.org

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