13 years old... miracle of organ donation

It is amazing to see the miracle of the gift of life everyday through Luke. Organ donation got him to his 13th birthday and we are so thankful for his donor family's decision to donate their child's organs.

Luke loves the Music therapists smiley face ukulele at children's Hospital. He was thrilled with his own to play.

Lego Movie scenes built by Luke and Logan made the cake.

The pinata was especially tough this year but it was finally conquered.

We are very thankful to all who donated gifts for children's hospital in honor of Luke's 13th birthday. Luke is very excited to give them to the chILD life department so others can have a special present for their birthday.

 Luke was really happy to shop for gifts for other children at Childrens Hospital Pittsburgh with a gift card someone gave him for the special birthday gifts he wants to donate. He had a really great time and made sure to pick out gifts for different age groups and boys and girls. (Never mind the chaos on the desk!)

The girls insisted on having their own clothesline.. it has worked out great as I hate hanging the socks and they love it!

These two are growing up so fast!

This is Luke and his nephew Elijah.

Preparations for our two day trip to Pittsburgh for his reflux study. These are the meds needed for two days.

Thankfully Wings Flights of Hope and Luke's pilot, Joe, flew us to Pittsburgh and back. We were one of 15 families helped by Wings that week alone! They are such an amazing organization. 

I was trying to get Logan to see his eye Dr while we were there. Though that didn't work out Luke was so happy to have Logan along for a really yucky test. The reflux test which means inserting a tube through Luke's nose and down his esophagus is one of his most hated things ever. 

This picture says it all in his face. And though many times they aren't actually doing things together, Logan just being there in the same room is huge comfort for Luke.

And of course a buddy to play video games helps. This is especially true because Luke is on isolation all the time due to the germ that was last in his blood infection.

Luke helping Joe out as copilot on the way home.

We have had fun game nights, frozen yogurt fun (thanks to someone special), walks in Jacobsburg park , rocket launches, Lego builds and more summer fun).

Haircuts too!

 

Many of you who have known us prior to Luke's transplant know we have a 24 year old daughter who came to our family as an older teen. She recently had a baby and for now he has come to stay with us. We arent sure for how long and I am being vague on purpose (for our daughters privacy). Luke loves babies so much and he is loving having Elijah with us. All the kids are loving being aunts and uncles. He is a very good baby so that is an extra blessing!

Luke's 4th anniversary for his double lung transplant is coming up this week. Not one day goes by that we don't think of Luke's donor family....