Sunday, March 01, 2009

At Breslin Center

This song was being played by the band when twin girl and I descended all of those steps down to the main floor of the Breslin Center. And I know it's a little corny, but all of a sudden, listening to "Gonna Fly Now", I had this heart-rending moment - this good heart-rending moment - of realization that twin girl had survived, and I with her, and today was a day for celebration.

The Michigan Children's Health-Care Initiative along with the MSU Pediatric Subspecialty Unit at Sparrow Hospital has teamed up with the Michigan State University Women's Basketball Team for a program called, "Kids Of Inspiration". Children are nominated by nurses at Sparrow, and if chosen, get to attend a game at Breslin Center, sit on the main floor right behind the team, and be named, "Junior Coach" for the day.

Today was twin-girl's turn.

Almost exactly two years ago, she had acute appendicitis and was rushed into emergency surgery to remove a huge, inflamed appendix. Two days into the hospital stay, we were devastated with the news that her appendix had contained a cancerous tumor. We listened to possible futures for her -- having another operation to cut out part of her intestine, undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation, etc. For days we lived with our hearts in our shoes.

Soon we learned that the cancer was confined to her appendix, and the only follow-up care she would need, would be regular CTscans and blood draws over the next five years. Thankfulness doesn't even begin to describe how we felt.

That's her story in a nutshell.

Except that, minor though her trauma was, twin girl deals daily with the fear of any one of us getting sick. She is afraid of tornadoes and bees. She is afraid of accidents and fires. Stomach-aches plague her when the worries get too big. She is a happy, healthy child...but sensitive, and the whole experience has left a deep imprint of the transiency of life on her little soul.

So today, walking down those steps, my eyes brimming with tears, I watched her glowing face and I felt a thankfulness for this little, yet really big day for her. She deserves it. Every child who has had some hurt, big or small, deserves a day where somebody turns to her and says, "You are special."

In fact, they announced it over the loudspeaker, and zoomed in on twin girl so the whole crowd could see her up on the big screen.





























After the game, we were escorted "down the chute" to the locker room. Opening one set of doors, twin girl was greeted by Suzy Merchant who shook her hand and directed us through another set of doors, where the entire team was waiting and erupted into a huge cheer, just for twin girl, as soon as we opened the door. They whooped it up and posed for pictures. She just grinned.




Even the teenager was pulled in for a group picture, quickly followed by a huge group hug that senior (and very special person) Mia Johnson demanded. (plus one additional special child that missed her day with the Spartans the week before)


To see that face, all lit up, because today was her Special Day,
has made me a true Spartan fan. They did it for her.
And I really, really appreciate it.
Go Green!


20 comments:

Carin said...

chill, chills CHILLS.

Oh...the words...the music...BETH!

I loved this!

(and by the way...I plagiarized. I used your skipping phrase and feeling gargantuan in our wetness phrase...but I gave you credit. I hope that is ok...it was just so...good. I wanted to use the warm, golden music hall because I read that and just...felt it, you know? but...I refrained)

xoxo

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day for Amy Beth! Grandma and I were so proud. Grandma sat about two feet from the TV screen and screamed every time Beth moved, lifted her hands, or whatever! Quite a sight. And your pictures perfectly record the event.

Great job!

Grandpa

Kelle said...

cried. even with rocky in the background. i love that she got to do this and i forget just what a miracle her life is. carin and i have been talking so much about cousins and how much we love them. so, i guess...just...i love you.

Crydo said...

aww that sounds fantastic! i wish i would have known so i could have watched the game and cheered beth on! ;) yay for beth.

Heidi Lee said...

This was so awesome to read.
I will never EVER forget what we went through when this happened to Beth.
The pictures are so sweet and make me teary. Love you! Love Beth...love your family! Thankful for all of you!

mrc-w said...

Oh we SO wish we could have been there! I had to work at the LCC faculty jazz concert and Jon had to play at a recital, we were bummed :( But we loved reading this post! Beth, you are awesome!!! We're so proud to know you and to be related to you! :) xoxo

Liann said...

Wow what a cool cool day! Beth we are so proud of you and love you SOOOOOOOO much! xxxxoooo

Cryderman said...

WOW that is sooo cool that beth got to do that! I LOVE YOU A LOT BETH!!

Ms.Lo said...

I am sitting here crying and dear husband is behind me as close to tears as I've seen him in a long time.

So beautiful. I just had no idea they'd do all this for her.

JoannCryderman said...

tears. love. full heart.

love wins.

Kristy said...

Amazing - you made me cry at work.
I don't think this was the first time, but this was the best time.

Bravo, beautiful "Twin Girl".

You're a champion.

Beth said...

I love this post! Beth (love the name!) sounds like a great kid with a great head on her shoulders.

You are an awesome mother!

Lisa Y. said...

My throat hurts from trying to hold back the tears...thanks for the reminder about the miracle of God's healing. Yay for Beth's special day and many more to come! Loved the pictures. Beth, your smile is just too cute for words!

Anonymous said...

Love this. K

Kelly said...

I am so humbled. I can't believe it's been two years already. I remember those few days of the unknown. Scary isn't even close. Life is fragile, but so beautiful in hindsight. God is so good.

Beth is such a miracle!

krishna kashyap av said...

wow great pictures..
It was just too good..
I really enjoyed..
Work from home

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Anonymous said...

[quote]This song was being played by the band when twin girl and I descended all of those steps down to the main floor of the Breslin Center. And I know it's a little corny, but all of a sudden, listening to "Gonna Fly Now", I had this heart-rending moment - this good heart-rending moment - of realization that twin girl had survived, and I with her, and today was a day for celebration.The Michigan Children's Health-Care Initiative along with the MSU Pediatric Subspecialty Unit at Sparrow Hospital has teamed up with the Michigan State University Women's Basketball Team for a program called, "Kids Of Inspiration". Children are nominated by nurses at Sparrow, and if chosen, get to attend a game at Breslin Center, sit on the main floor right behind the team, and be named, "Junior Coach" for the day.Today was twin-girl's turn.Almost exactly two years ago, she had acute appendicitis and was rushed into emergency surgery to remove a huge, inflamed appendix. Two days into the hospital stay, we were devastated with the news that her appendix had contained a cancerous tumor. We listened to possible futures for her -- having another operation to cut out part of her intestine, undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation, etc. For days we lived with our hearts in our shoes.Soon we learned that the cancer was confined to her appendix, and the only follow-up care she would need, would be regular CTscans and blood draws over the next five years. Thankfulness doesn't even begin to describe how we felt.That's her story in a nutshell.Except that, minor though her trauma was, twin girl deals daily with the fear of any one of us getting sick. She is afraid of tornadoes and bees. She is afraid of accidents and fires. Stomach-aches plague her when the worries get too big. She is a happy, healthy child...but sensitive, and the whole experience has left a deep imprint of the transiency of life on her little soul.So today, walking down those steps, my eyes brimming with tears, I watched her glowing face and I felt a thankfulness for this little, yet really big day for her. She deserves it. Every child who has had some hurt, big or small, deserves a day where somebody turns to her and says, "You are special."In fact, they announced it over the loudspeaker, and zoomed in on twin girl so the whole crowd could see her up on the big screen.[Image][Image][Image][Image][Image][Image][Image][Image][Image][Image][Image][Image][Image][Image]After the game, we were escorted "down the chute" to the locker room. Opening one set of doors, twin girl was greeted by Suzy Merchant who shook her hand and directed us through another set of doors, where the entire team was waiting and erupted into a huge cheer, just for twin girl, as soon as we opened the door. They whooped it up and posed for pictures. She just grinned.[Image][Image]Even the teenager was pulled in for a group picture, quickly followed by a huge group hug that senior (and very special person) Mia Johnson demanded. (plus one additional special child that missed her day with the Spartans the week before)[Image]To see that face, all lit up, because today was her Special Day,has made me a true Spartan fan. They did it for her.And I really, really appreciate it.Go Green![Image][Image][/quote]

wow, seriously?!

Del please