A favor to ask...

Many of you who know me… Hi! Those of you who don’t, I have a 6 year old daughter, Satori has a neuromuscular condition called spinal muscular atrophy (type II). Because of the SMA, she is physically very weak. She uses a power wheel chair etc. Other than that she is a “normal” super funny, smart, feisty little girl.

Recently she got pneumonia, luckily we caught it extremely quick and she didn't end up hospitalized. She returned to school this week, just in time for the Halloween festivities. Well, she rolled out of bed (something she has never done before) two nights ago, and because she isn’t ambulatory her bones are extremely fragile. She dislocated her hip and maybe cracked it.

Today was the Halloween parade and party at her school and she couldn’t go. She will also miss trick or treating (haven’t gotten the nerve up to tell her THAT yet).

I walked in to the house a few minutes ago from checking the mail and she looked at me and said, “Did I at least get any mail?” when I told her not unless she wanted some bills, she told me this was the most rotten week of her “whole first grade.”

I was hoping some of you would take a minute out to send her a post card. She LOVES getting mail, but like most 6 year olds, doesn’t get much. It doesn’t need to be a “get well” type thing, she is feeling pretty good (nothing like Tylenol and Codeine with your morning oatmeal LOL) or even be written much on. Just a fun picture and a “Hi” would be really fun for her.

My address is in the exchange. Thank you very much,
Melissa

You got it!

Hi Melissa!Done!.........(waving at darius!)......Dave.......

Melissa - being childless myself, what sort of things does your daughter like/is "in to"? You know, as far as animals, books, yadayadayada.

Melissa, I just asked my girls and they would like to make some cards and pictures for Satori. I don't know yet if they will come all at once or staggered, but I am sure they will be colorful! LOL My girls feel bad that she can't go out for Halloween. :(

She loves big cats (especially cheetahs and leopards), and wolves. Pretty much any exotic animal. She loves anything having to do with Egypt, in case you just happen to have a post card with a mummy on it. LOL Dolphins and whales too and any flower. Even the standard "big city skyline" postcard would be exciting to her.

Sending a card tomorrow --

Would you like for me to send more animal art for Sartori? If so, I'll start a new thread on this forum, so that I don't clog up this one.

In my file, this one is labeled: WallJosephine_FlightoftheLynx
and it's from: http://www.josephinewall.co.uk/josephine.html
After clicking on this link, click on Gallery, and then this image should come up. These are beautiful images that might make a fun screen saver for Sartori.

Wow, Satori really liked that picture! She said, it "Rocked!"
She would love to see more.
Thanks

Alrighty - will start a "Sartori's Animal Carnival" thread over on the Pet Forum.

But first, here's a change of pace under an enchanted moon. It's labeled, Outhwaite_TheNautilus Fairy from http://spritefae.com/ArtistsGallery/index.htm This fairy's boat is actually the house of a relative of the squid.

It does take me a while to chase down links for sources of these images - perhaps the carnival will have more inhabitants by morning.

See you on the Pet Forum.

Blue looing for the thread in pets?? Ready willing and able to get some cuties to Sartori!!!
We can get some great halloweenie pets together!!

Ahh, now I remember why "Satori" sounds familiar. I have a metaphysical book where the intro says, "I am Satori. Everything else is Transatori."

Also, a Zen concept.

Yes, Magoobu, help! I'm not finding Halloween cuties very fast for Sartori - feel free to add any you like to that thread I started on Pets.

Darius, at 2:18 am, a little dragon-breath would go a long way to some kind of enlightenment - thank you - you've pointed me to some Chinese Song Dynasty Arhats - see ya over to Pets.

Yes, her name means "peace" or "enlightenment" it translates literally to "absence of wind." When i told my best friend that is what we had named her and what it meant, she was horrified, and asked me "How could you name that beautiful baby something that means absence of wit." We laugh about it a lot, it is especially funny because she has turned out to be exceptionally bright.

Where is exchange?

Card going out today.

Address Exchange is back to Home and then Extras at the top.

Oops. I should've read more carefully. I said my horses in the pic hope she feels better......

Thanks CA Sue

This message was edited Oct 28, 2005 2:45 PM

Sending card tomorrow.

Thank you all very much. Satori has been delighted with all the mail. A special thanks to some of you who have gone over the top, you know who you are!

Thank you again everyone,
Melissa

I would like to thank you all again for the lovely cards. She has had a great time with all the mail she has gotten. Everyday now, she asks if the mail is here yet!

When I made this post, my daughter was at home getting over pneumonia and a dislocated hip. She was doing well, but, REALLY bored and my mail request was meant to be light hearted fun.

So, I feel extremely awkward about this…

Many people have D or E-Mailed me asking how she is doing. Again, I just meant this to be a light hearted distraction, for her, and anyone sending her a postcard. I have sent many of you notes to say Tori is well (which she is) but, I have been feeling very bad about that. It seems like since you have all done me the favor of sending her a card, I should be honest.

Her pneumonia is completely gone and her hip isn’t hurting her anymore, but on the follow up chest x-ray taken earlier in the week the doctors spotted something odd. They did a CT scan and we found out that she has a large tumor in her right lung. It doesn't have anything to do with her SMA, and they are thinking it probably isn't cancer, but they won't know for sure what it is until it comes out. Because the tumor is so big it needs to come out pretty much immediately and the surgery will be within the next two weeks.

This has come out of nowhere and is totally unexpected and i am still trying to wrap my brain around it. I apologize again for inadvertently getting you all involved in this.

Melissa

Please let it out and here is the perfect place to do that. Everyone will be keeping good thoughts and prayers for Tori!!! I know I will and sending cards etc...
I have truly found that it helps to just let it out. Kind words and support from DG is a wonderful thing and you should know it is something that everyone here does not want any apologies for!!!
Know that you are all in my thoughts!!!
Feel free to talk -- you are not alone!!
Anne

Melissa,
If we didn't want to be involved or didn't care, we would just skim over the thread and not reply, so please feel free to "vent" when needed. This has to be the most supportive group of folks I have ever encountered. Had already planned to send Tori another card for Thanksgiving so will try to get it to her before the surgery. Let us know the schedule, and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sharon

Melissa, you will never find a more selfless and compassionate group than Dave's Garden members. We are that "chosen family" that excepted you and your family as a very much loved part of the whole family when you signed up. Let us help you get through this trying time, even if its just a listening ear, or a heartfelt postcard. You and Tori are loved.
ginni

Melissa, I am new to DG and yes, this is a wonderful group of people, who you can pour your heart out to. Everyone here is very caring and supportive.

I am still trying to get to the address to send Tori a card. I will send one as soon as i can.

Best wishes and God Bless!!

Please keep us posted, I so enjoyed sending out a card to such a brave little girl and want her (and you) to know that we care.

Melissa...getting involved is what we do. Whether it's hands on or in the background. Know you all are loved and thought about. (((HUGS)))

First, I wanted to thank you all so much. Satori has enjoyed everything she has received in the mail so much! Now she asks “What did I get in the mail today” when it comes, instead of “Did I get any mail today.” So many of you have been so kind, we really appreciate it.

Now the icky stuff…

The surgery has been scheduled for Monday afternoon. If she comes off the ventilator well, she should only be in the ICU for a day or two and then in a regular Pediatric room for another few days. They are saying 5 days in the hospital min. She is doing well, she understands it as much as a 6 year old understands such things. We have spared her the more graphic details.

Because I posted the postcard request on a few forums, and people have asked to be updated on what is going on. I am going to start a new thread in the Parking Lot forum. That way I won’t have more than one thread to update. I’ll just title it “Surgery.” I will post a link to it (if I can figure out how LOL.)

Thank you again everyone for your kind words, thoughts, prayers and the wonderful mail,

Melissa

Hi Melissa
Please let us know how Tori is doing when you can. Am keeping her in my prayers daily along with you and the entire family. Very special hugs are sent your way. ... Elaine

Give Satori a big hug for me. Making her a card.

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/555958/