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The Gift of Wish Trips: Creating Moments of Pure Joy for Kids and Families

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Dot giving Pluto the biggest, warmest hug at GKTW Village. Wish trips are so much more than just vacations—they’re life-changing experiences for kids with terminal and life-threatening conditions. These journeys offer children a rare chance to escape their daily medical struggles and embrace the joy, excitement, and wonder that childhood should bring. For these incredible kids, a wish trip becomes a time to feel free, to play, and to be themselves without the weight of illness. It’s a break that brings back the thrill of exploring the world and lets them dive into moments of pure happiness and fun. For parents and caregivers, wish trips are just as meaningful. They provide a precious opportunity to make joyful memories as a family, away from the routine of treatments and appointments. In these moments, parents and children can focus on each other, laugh together, and enjoy the simple but priceless joy of being together. Even just a short time away from everyday worries gives families t...
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Disaster Prep for Medically Fragile Loved Ones

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  Being prepared for a natural disaster is crucial, but it takes on a whole new level of importance when you’re caring for someone with a medical condition. I’ll be honest and say that I never really gave this aspect of caregiving much thought until we had a big ice storm and lost power at home for 35 hours; then a tornado touched down and destroyed part of our hometown. That certainly gets one to thinking, doesn’t it? For us, it’s about more than just stocking up on water and canned food — it’s about making sure our loved ones have what they need to stay safe and healthy, especially when it comes to life-saving medications. Here’s how we approach preparedness for our medically fragile family member: 💊 Medication Supply: We always aim to have at least a 2-week supply of essential medications. This means working with your doctor and insurance ahead of time to ensure you’re able to get what you need. For us, it’s non-negotiable. 🎒Emergency Go-Bag: We keep a dedicated medical emerge...
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Dot’s Rare Journey: A Milestone Moment

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  Dot giving her Nana smiles after CVR surgery. Most of our followers are at this point well versed Dot’s life threatening condition of Adrenal Insufficiency - or AI as it is commonly known. However, Dot was also born with the rarest form of craniosynostosis—lambdoid craniosynostosis. These two rare conditions are in no way related as far as her doctors are concerned. She just happened to hit the rare patient lottery! 🎰 (😅) At just 11 months old, she underwent a major cranial vault reconstruction (CVR) surgery, leaving a large zigzag scar that stretches from ear to ear. It’s been a long journey, helping her heal from such an intense surgery and navigating regular MRIs, follow-up appointments, and more. Today, we’re celebrating incredible news: her craniofacial doctor wants to see her in two years, and after that, we’ll likely no longer need follow-ups for this condition. 🙌 It’s a huge milestone in Dot’s journey, and we couldn’t be more thankful. Grateful and blessed to be reachi...
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Blood Draws and Movie Days: Finding Balance in the Chaos

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  If you’ve ever had to coax a kid into the car knowing they’re headed for something unpleasant, you already know the unique mix of dread and determination that comes with it. For us, that’s every four months when it’s time for Dot’s lab work at Dell Children’s.   Dot, my 10-year-old firecracker, has adrenal insufficiency, which means her body doesn’t produce certain life-sustaining hormones. Routine lab work isn’t optional, and while she’s a trooper, let’s be real: no one *likes* getting poked with needles.   The Lab Day Ritual   Here’s how it goes:   First, there’s the pep talk. “You’ve got this, Dot! Starbucks after—venti caramel ribbon crunch, your pick!” (Bribery? Absolutely.) Then the drive, where I try to keep things light with bad jokes and her favorite songs on repeat.   The lab itself is hit or miss. Some days, we’re out like pros. Other days, veins play hide-and-seek, and it’s a circus act. Thankfully, the PICC team at De...
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🖤 Today, My Heart Feels Heavy

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  Today, my heart feels heavier than it has in a long time. Watching as Trump takes the presidency, I can’t shake a deep sadness, an unrelenting worry, and an overwhelming fear for the future. This isn't about political labels or parties—it's about human dignity, equality, and compassion. I fear for what lies ahead, not only for myself but especially for my children. I want them to grow up in a world that moves forward with empathy and justice, a world where every voice, no matter how quiet, is heard. But today, that world feels a little further away. This election feels like a step back for so many people who have fought tirelessly to be seen and valued. For minorities, for women, and for anyone who has felt the sting of being sidelined, silenced, or left behind, today is a day of mourning. It feels as though we're being asked to stand by as years of progress are unraveled, bit by bit. And while I feel a powerful urge to cry and scream, to let my fears and anger pour out, ...
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Discussing Disclosure: A Parent’s Guide to Tough Conversations About Health and Friendship

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  Recently I faced something with Dot that, frankly, in all my years as a medical mom, I had never even considered. We just had school picture day, so I took her out today for a nice haircut, and we had lunch together at one of our favorite spots. While we were at lunch, she brought up something serious. She wanted my opinion on whether she should tell her friends at school about her medical condition. She has a close group of friends—about three or four—and was wondering if they should know. I wasn’t quite sure how to respond. I asked her if she thought her friends would treat her differently. She said no, but she was worried they might not understand her rare condition. As a parent, I hadn’t expected this question. Here are a few things I shared with her as they came to mind during our conversation: 1. Even if she explains her condition as plainly and simply as possible, her friends may still struggle to fully understand what it means. Many adults, no matter how much I explain it...
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A Shop Owner's Guide: Helping You Navigate the Reselling Business

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Hey there, future reselling entrepreneurs! If you're thinking about diving into the world of reselling, I've got some advice to help you get started on the right foot. As a fellow shop owner who's been around the block (pun intended), I know a thing or two about the ins and outs of this business. Let's chat about how you can set yourself up for success. Why It's Important: First things first, let's talk about why offering discounts and return options matters. In the competitive world of reselling, customer satisfaction is everything. By providing flexible policies, you're not just making your customers happy – you're also building trust and loyalty that can keep them coming back for more. Watch those repeat buyers stack up when you offer a quality item and a good price and excellent customer service. Offering Discounts for Damaged Items: When it comes to damaged goods, a little discount can go a long way. If a customer receives something that's not q...
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