Thankful – COTA for Heeths Hope

Hello From Heeth’s Mom:

Thank you to all our family and friends that continue to reach out and check in on us. It is difficult to blog as frequently as I used to because to be completely frank: our situation changes daily, sometimes even hourly. New problems arise, small gains are made, setbacks happen, and then it happens all over again. Despite how inconsistent our daily routines are right now, there are most definitely some things we are very thankful for…

The nurses here…Heeth was craving a McFlurry (he had one for the first time the day before being admitted and fell in love!) Because he cannot eat restaurant food, his nurse here made him an array of hospital “McFlurries” to enjoy:)

Our friends…who literally call, check in, write notes, bring meals, give hugs, and support us in every way humanly possible. When I get home from my hospital stretches, these incredible people fill me back up with positive energy, hope, and love, ready to go back to support Heeth every step of the way.

Heeth had two weeks of “great” days. Feeling well, being silly, questioning all the doctors, dancing around his room, watching his NFL games. Todd always reminds me to appreciate these days and try to keep these days in our hearts. Heeth’s light is honestly one of the strongest I have ever seen in another individual. His fight is strong and anyone who knows him knows he does not give up.

This is good, because Heeth has needed this fight the past few days. Heeth was admitted to the ICU again with sepsis and respiratory failure. His fevers were at levels I had never seen before. Heeth has pushed on and is making small progress towards breathing independently. His blood cultures have started to come back negative and his doctors and nurses have remarked at his strength, even when so sick. Heeth will walk to his chair and say “I can do it on my own.” This is my little buddy!!!

Finally, Heeth received his 2nd transplant on Friday which is called his “boost.” He spent the first part of the week receiving chemo to ready his body for this second stem cell infusion. His super dad was there to cheer him on for this second transplant from the same wonderful donor. Heeth’s family is the most important thing to him and having his family all around him is what makes his heart the happiest. If you ask Heeth what his most favorite vacation ever was he will tell you it was his great grandma Nan’s 99th birthday party…because his whole family was there to celebrate! Knowing this, I asked Auntie Meg to help with a last minute surprise for buddy. Since we all couldn’t be there in person, folks sent photos of themselves drinking or toasting a “Boost” drink at the same time as Heeth’s boost infusion! Heeth was overwhelmed by the over 40 loving folks that cheered him on..some even sending super silly photos:) We are so thankful for our family who gives us strength.

Although our thanksgiving will look very different this year (hospital food for half of us and frozen pizza for the other half,) our family is so thankful for all the love that we have experienced from others during this difficult time. It is a reminder of how much good there is in the world and how important it is to take the time to tell your family and friends that you love them. We have been blessed with a large group of “family” who have supported us through this incredibly hard time. Thank you and have a peaceful Thanksgiving.

HUGE HUGS FROM HEETH!

With Love,

Heeth’s Mom

Nothing like a best friend, Nash, helping to bring a smile!