Measles, in Illinois

I wrote this when I found out that measles is in Illinois.
http://www.voicesforvaccines.org/why-measles-outbreaks-terrify-me/

I have gotten mostly only positive comments on it. Many people have reposted it and they have anti-vax or selectively vax friends who have made negative comments. Which I have attempted to dispel. I am again leaving it here, on Ben's blog, because it is important. I've felt like I have had to make changes to our life the last few days because I am scared. Scared that the person in IL that has measles may have come in to contact with others that came in to contact with others that could have come to our city. And if Ben were to get measles it would be deadly. So, I need people to understand. Please, VACCINATE! Protect yourself, and Ben!

Help keep this cutie safe!

Happy 3 year Heartaversary to Ben!

It's hard to believe it has been 3 years since Ben's transplant! It seems like just yesterday he was life flighted to Children's Memorial and we were preparing for a very long wait for the perfect heart. He was attached to so many wires and tubes just to keep him alive. And now, we are 3 years post transplant. 3 years ago we got that call that would forever change our life! I never thought we would get this far and at the same time I always hoped we would get this far. So many things have changed, and so many have stayed the same. We have decreased many of Ben's meds. We have gone from giving 16 different meds at various hours of the days as well as frequent feedings to 7 meds at 4 different times a day. Ben has also gotten much stronger, and I wouldn't be surprised if he decreases his PT very soon. But, at the same time, he will be on immunnosuppressants for life. And he is still in PT, for now. We have gone from this little guy hooked up to tubes and wires,

At Children's Memorial in 2011

to this big guy running around causing chaos with his sisters :) What a difference 3 years makes!  

Hiding in a box, 2014

Transplant life has been pretty good, and obviously much better than the alternative, considering that there was no way to help Ben since his Dilated Cardiomyopathy was too severe at the point it was found. It obviously does have its downsides such as the fact that he will be on medication for life and he gets sicker more often than others do, and it usually lasts longer than an illness would for others. But, for me, the fact that I get to see him toasting his sparkling cider on New Years, talking to his grandma, walking along with his grandpa, playing with his grandpa and sisters, and reading with his sister, among other things, those things make any bad parts worth it. And I can't thank his donor family enough for giving him that second chance. In their time of grief, they were selflessly willing to help my son so that he could live a full life! For that, I will forever be thankful! And it is a very happy New Year indeed! :)

Toasting on New Years

Talking to grandma

Walking out of the restaurant with grandpa

"Doctoring" grandpa

Reading with Klara