After Tatum was transplanted and we were moved from ICU to the GI ward, the nurse
quitely mentioned Tatum was being recommended for Make-A-Wish. We assumed it was
for terminal children and were shocked that this is how they decided to tell us. Of course,
30 seconds later we were corrected and quite relieved. Our experience with Make-A-Wish
has been unbelievable. So far the wish hasn't stopped. MAW and its staff have truly been a
blessing to Tatum. If you keep up with us, you'll see a lot of MAW.

We were actually in San Antonio for Tatums spring break vacation when her liver failed.
Last she remembered when she woke up after transplant was being on vacation. It was
obvious Hotel Childrens wasn't much of a vacation. When we told Tatum that she gets to
make a wish, all her own, she was thrilled. First she wanted to meet the President of the
USA. A quite dinner alone and spend the night. Nothing less. Well, there are limits and that
was over it. Long story short, Tatum decided on the trip to Orlando Florida.

We stayed at the Give Kids The World Village and it was amazing. We did Epcot, Magic
Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Universal and Sea World. Best of all, it was Tatum's 8th
birthday, a day we almost didn't see. Tatum had a ball on that trip, but she was
uncomfortable with a new pain in her lower tummy and she found a sore lump in her
armpit. After we got back we learned it was a form of post transplant lymphoma as a
side-effect of her anti-rejection medicine. This would be the start of her second brush
with death and 5 weeks in the hospital. We hope to repeat this wish trip someday.