about CaringBridge  |  home page  |  view guestbook  |  view photos  |  read journal history  |  make a tribute donation
 
 


Welcome to Tanner's Web Page.
Tanner was born with a rare liver disorder called Biliary Atresia. Only 1 in 16,000 kids have this disease - approximately 250 each year in the United States. Approximately 75% of the kids with this disease need a liver transplant at some time in their life. Tanner fell into the group of kids that needed a transplant sooner rather than later. On February 28, 2005, Tanner received 24% of his grandma’s liver.

The focus of this website is shifting from chronicling a child’s fight against a terrible disease to rejoicing for the miracles that God gives us through modern medicine. We will continue to maintain this website to provide hope to others who are following in our path and to keep our family & friends updated on his progress.

Please think about organ donation. If you would like to be an organ donor, make your family aware of your intentions and register to be a donor.

Please visit some of our"liver friends" and offer them your support, encouragement, and prayers as they have done for us over the last few months.





**At the bottom of the page is a link for donations. These DO NOT go to Tanner, but instead go to Caringbridge. While we agree that this is a worthy cause, we just wanted to make you aware of the difference.

Journal

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

The End of an Era…

This will be a very long entry, so grab a cup of coffee and sit back and enjoy.

First things first, Tanner had his 4 year transplant anniversary at the end of February. We had transplant clinic follow-up on April 1st. We were so tickled that Dr. Shepherd was still around and we got to see him. The news is all good. Tanner was able to tell his own medicines to Ms. Penny – even if he thought he was taking 55 mg of Prograf. Our whole mission for this trip was to be able to extend his labs for once a month to once every two months. And, with Dr. Shepherd’s blessing, we were able to do that. Sometimes it’s hard to make that long trip just to hear “he looks great”, but we still firmly believe it’s good for the team to see the fruits of their labor, too.

Otherwise, we have been super busy. Tanner & Morgan have been busy with school programs, field trips, swimming lessons, and most recently soccer. My company was acquired back in March, which has kept me on my toes. We’re making plans for a very busy summer.

Tanner was granted a Wish from Make-A-Wish right around his transplant anniversary. I know, there are many people who think that Make-A-Wish is for terminally ill kids, but that isn’t their mission. They grant wishes to children with a life threatening medical condition – transplants fall into this category. The very medicine that Tanner takes to prevent his body from rejecting his liver can be toxic to his kidneys and makes him susceptible to other diseases. He is at an increased risk for diabetes and some forms of cancer. It’s a mixed blessing receiving a wish - we’re so grateful for these wish granting organizations and what they do for the morale of these kids – but it’s tough acknowledging that your child qualifies, too.

Tanner’s wish is to go to Legoland. We received confirmation last week that his wish was granted – and early this summer, the four of us will pack up and go to San Diego. We’ll spend a few days at Legoland, and we’ll also visit the San Diego Zoo and Sea World. Tanner is so very excited that this is “his wish” and something that he wants. I sometimes underestimate him, and I truly didn’t realize how much this would mean to him.

The rest of the summer will be summer camps, vacation Bible school, and a whirlwind trip through Iowa & Kansas. And, on August 24th, Tanner and Morgan will have their first day of Kindergarten. It doesn’t seem possible when I really think about it – and yet they are both so excited to go to school.

This will be my final entry in Tanner’s Caringbridge page. He is doing so well, and we feel so very blessed. My entries have become few and far between, and I feel like it is time to close this chapter. Thank you all so much for all of your love and support over the last 5 years in this journey of ours. Without the love and support that we’ve received, we couldn’t have made it.

Love, Stacy, Randy, Tanner & Morgan


Dear Tanner & Morgan,

In a few hours, you will be FIVE Years Old.

Photobucket

I truly can’t believe that I’ve blinked my eyes and those little 2 lb 3 oz babies have grown into these rambunctious, full-of-life five year olds. There are so days I get so frustrated by your continuous energy, non-stop talking, and attitude – and then I remember how far we’ve come, and I’m a little bit grateful, too.

Photobucket

We’ve had the good fortune of letting you stay home with daddy this last year. Oh, yes, you still attended “school”, but in the form of a 10 hours a week at a local church and not 50 hours a week in a daycare. You’ve both been healthier – and happier. No more whining about “we never get to play with our toys”. You eagerly dash off to school, but you also enjoy the time you get to lounge at home with Daddy. I hope you’ll remember this year and that special time you got to spend with Daddy when you got older.

Once again – time has deceived me. I didn’t think you’d changed all that much this year until I looked back at the pictures from last year. Then I realized how much you had matured, how the “baby look” was completely gone from your face. And, when I look back from 5 to 3 – I’m really astonished at how far you’ve come.

Photobucket

This has been a good year. Both of you have become very independent. You can take care of your bathroom needs without help, dress yourself, put yourself to bed, brush your own hair & teeth, walk through the stores without being carried, and most recently, buckle your own seatbelt. And, after five years, we’re slowly eliminating your afternoon naps. So many little things that show how big you’ve become.

Oh, Morgan, you are still my independent child. A little stubborn with quite a bit of attitude thrown in – I see a lot of myself in you. And even with that tough exterior, you are still my little girl. Your favorite thing these last few months is to curl up on our laps and ask for a backrub. You crave the touch and companionship. You love us feriousciously, and for that, I wouldn’t trade the world.

Photobucket

You are sooooo close to reading. Tonight you sat in my office and sounded out several short, rhyming words (cat, hat, pig, wig, cot, pot). I know when you break that barrier that we’ll have a hard time keeping you from spending your days in a corner curled up with a good book. Your language and expressions continue to amaze me. These days, I find myself defining words for you correctly. And, days later you will use it in proper context and form. You can count and identify numbers to 100. Your favorite “game” when we go to the store is to tell us the prices.

Photobucket

This entire year, you’ve been our little artist. If in doubt, we’ll look for you at any one of the drawing stations you’ve managed to set up around our house. You draw lots of pictures – they all have a little girl in them. Sometime this fall, the little girl started wearing a pony tail – and then later this spring, a bow in her ponytails. Girls are always differentiated by triangle bodies (because those are dresses). And, there is typically suns, rainbows, and always a swingset.

Photobucket

Tanner, you are still my good-hearted clown. You are so compassionate –if someone is hurt or upset, you are the first one to run to their aid. You understand pain – and it’s clear that you don’t want others to have to experience that. You are so very sensitive – whenever someone leaves, you instantly miss them. And, most importantly, you love to hear people laugh. You’ll clown around and do almost anything to hear people chuckle.

Photobucket

You’ve come a long ways, this year, too. You’ll act like you don’t know how to do something – but when consequence are involved, you’ll surprise us with just how much you can really do. Count to 100? No problem if a reward is involved. Can’t go to the circus without writing your name? You sat down and wrote it without much assistance. You learn so much by observing those around you – we often underestimate your abilities.

This spring, you started soccer alongside your sister. We really thought that Morgan would enjoy soccer more than you would. She had shown more interest in sports – but when we started playing, we saw a light go on. You run, kick the ball, and aren’t scared to duke it out with a bigger kid. We’re so proud that you get in there and participate with such gusto.

Photobucket

Your favorite thing this last year has been fire trucks, “Bob the Builders”, Matchbox cars, and Legos. You spend hours lining up your cars and playing with them. You’ll get out your firetrucks and then use the Legos to build a firehouse. You can contently build and play for hours – with or without your sister. And, somedays, you just want it to be you. You’ll pack up your firetrucks and carry them back to your bedroom to quietly play on your bed. Sometimes, it’s ok to have some “me” time.

Photobucket

Being a “mom of twins” has been such a blessing to me. It was evident to us early on that you guys had a bond we might never understand.

Photobucket

Even when you were separated in daycare, you were still close friends.

that way

And, this year where you have spent nearly every waking moment with each other, your friendship has only gotten stronger. Morgan, I took you for a haircut this spring, and as we got ready to leave, you approached Tanner and told him “please don’t get another girlfriend while I’m gone”. On more than one occasion, you told us that you were going to “marry each other” and that “it’d be ok because when we get older we won’t tattle on each other”.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

I sincerely hope that the friendship and love you have as twins will continue throughout your life.

Photobucket

I love you both so much. I really feel like I’ve blinked and that time has gone so quickly – and yet it’s hard to imagine a time when the two of you weren’t around. I enjoy this newfound freedom (and full nights sleep) that has come with my big kids, but I also miss the cuddle time that we used to get when you are little. My favorite thing about this age is your ability to reason and carry on conversation – even on the days when we flit from topic to topic. And, even thought I didn’t think it was possible five years ago, my love for you grows every day.

Happy 5th birthday, Morgan & Tanner. I love you both so much.

Photobucket


Love,
Mommy




Read Journal History


Sign and view the guestbook
Sign and View Guestbook

View personal photos

View Photos

Links:

  
  
  


 
 

E-mail Author: stacyrobb@excite.com

 
 

  Celebrate someone you love with a Tribute Gift to CaringBridge

Your gift will help millions of people stay connected with friends and loved ones during challenging times.


 

This page has been viewed 99833 times.

 

Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent.  This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.
 
 
Copyright Policy  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use  |  Donate |  How to Help |  Contact Us  |  FAQs
Copyright © 1997-2005 CaringBridge, a nonprofit organization. All rights reserved.
 
Visit the Onvoy website