Making A Wish

Back when Brynlee was very first diagnosed with cancer in August 2011, our social worker, Kristen (who is fabulous), brought me a bunch of information. She had this huge binder that they give to every cancer family with lots of overwhelming and somewhat disturbing cancer and cancer care information, she gave me some information about Brynlee's specific kind of cancer, which was both helpful and scary, and she gave me another folder that had information in it about different cancer resources and groups, such as HopeKids, SSI benefits, Cancer Wellness House, and Make A Wish. As we were going through the folder, she took out the Make A Wish information and said that Brynlee didn't qualify for Make A Wish because she was too young and the requirement is that they be at least 2-1/2 years old, and Brynlee was scheduled to be finished with her treatment well before she turned 2-1/2. I didn't think much about it, and we really didn't think that Make A Wish would ever be a part of our lives. Little did we know at that time that Brynlee would have to fight this beast again. So when Kristen visited us when Brynlee relapsed in February and mentioned that she was going to contact Make A Wish to get Brynlee in their system so that when she turned 2-1/2 in July she would be all ready to start the wish process, it was exciting to think that Brynlee would be able to participate and be a part of this organization after all that she had been through for the previous two years. She might not fully understand how amazing it is to have the opportunity to make a wish, but as we have seen our other cancer friends make their wishes and have them granted, it has definitely been something that we as a family have looked forward to.

 

We received notification the first part of August that Brynlee qualified to make a wish and started the process. She received a key to the wishing room and was assigned two wish grantors who are there to help us through the process. We were invited to go to the Make A Wish building today and to go to the wishing room to make this wish. We were greeted by her wish grantors and an employee of Make A Wish and told how the organization was started and its history. Then, we were each given a special token and taken out to the fountain where we were each able to make a secret wish. We went back inside and went to a board that had pictures of wish kids who were waiting for their wishes to be fulfilled and talked about the possibilities. There were several kids with very unique and creative wishes that I hope are able to be granted. We then went upstairs and discussed the things that Brynlee likes and what she would want to wish for. We also each wrote down a wish that we had for Brynlee. We each took a turn stating what we would personally wish for if we could make a wish. Then it was Brynlee's turn and she said that she wanted to go see Belle and the princesses. The wish grantors told Brynlee that they knew of a great place where she could meet Belle and all of the princesses and even Mickey and Minnie. They asked if going to Disneyworld would be okay with me, which, of course, and that was that.

 

So then it was time to take her wish into the wishing room in the tower and leave it for the wishing wizard. Good thing we remembered her key to the room!

 

Once inside, we each read our wish for Brynlee. Kaitlyn wished that Brynlee would get to go on a Disney Cruise (this is something that Kaitlyn really wants to do). Marissa wished that Brynlee would meet the princesses. Jennie (a wish grantor) wished that Brynlee will always do the things that make her happy and enjoy each moment with her family. Nikki (another wish grantor) wished for Brynlee to be happy and healthy with a strong spirit to help during hard challenges and to remember she is special and loved. Meg (from MAW) wished for Brynlee to be able to dance with the princesses at Disneyworld and to always know how much she is loved. I wished for Brynlee to live a long and happy and adventurous life. Then, she put her wish into the wishing wizard's hat and that was basically it.

 

Here are the girls with the wish grantors. 

 

Then it was time to go back downstairs to have some cookies and fill out paperwork. Waiting for Brynlee downstairs was a Belle Barbie doll with a horse, a Beanie Baby, a bunny, a book, a wand, and a Disney t-shirt, which was a complete surprise.

 

We don't know when we will go yet, but basically as long as Brynlee receives medical clearance, which she should, our family will get to go to Disneyworld and meet the princesses. It makes me so very emotional to think about our daughter being granted her wildest 2-year-old wish. Seriously, can you imagine? Even though I have known for awhile that she would get to make a wish, it is still a little bit unreal, and I imagine that when the trip happens it will be surreal. I think she is going to be flying so high when she gets to meet them. I am so grateful for all of the people and organizations that have given so much to us.

 

In other Brynlee news, Brynlee started her 5th cycle of isoretinoin a week ago. She is still swallowing her pill so wonderfully. I am so grateful that she is able to swallow those pills! We are now "rewarding" her with a couple of M&Ms after she swallows her pill. Whatever works!