Stephen's Journey: 2011 Christmas Card

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

2011 Christmas Card

You know you're past the "newlywed phase" when you ask for and receive practical gifts for Christmas/birthdays/celebrations. This year it was a new wireless scanner/copier/fax/printer and a docking station/alarm clock for my iPad and iPhone (I'm way too connected to the Internet world, I know). So now that I have a working scanner, I'll be able to share things more easily with all of you! The first of those things I'd love to share is our Christmas card. If I had the means to do so, I would send each and every one of you a card since I consider everyone who reads my blog a friend. But until cards and postage are free, or I win the lottery (!), that won't be happening. So the next best thing is to share it virtually!!

The text on the back of the card says,

"2011 has been a monumental year in the Schwartz household! The beginning of the year brought the birth of our first child, Stephen Charles. He is a true miracle and has taught us that the most important things in life are family, friends, health, and love. He is a special gift and continues to amaze us each and every day and we are so blessed to be his parents. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes we've received over the past year and to all the doctors and nurses who have so lovingly cared for Stephen. We want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2012!"

The photos were taken by Rashmi Pappu, photographer extraordinaire.

1 comment:

AnonymousDecember 29, 2011 at 5:54 PM
What a loving family,
what a blessed YEAR,
what a beautiful card.
All our love, always
Nana and Grandad Schwartz
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Our Crazy Kidney Life

As many of you already know, our son Stephen, was born with a very rare kidney disease called Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD). When the disease was discovered during my 27th week of pregnancy, Stephen was given a less than 1% chance of living more than a few hours past birth. He was to have such severely underdeveloped lungs that the doctors said he would likely not even take one breath. However, on January 4, 2011, we were granted our 1st miracle - and Stephen came into this world crying (and breathing!) and fighting for his life with fierce determination. At 6 days old he had BOTH of his kidneys removed and began peritoneal dialysis. Stephen came home from the hospital when he was 59 days old requiring 12 hours of dialysis every night as well as enteral (feeding tube) feeds during the day and overnight.

On May 9, 2013, we were granted our 2nd miracle, in the form of a new kidney from an extremely generous friend. Stephen received a kidney from a non-related living donor at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He spent 13 days in the hospital recovering from his big surgery and ever since has been living life the fullest! His life is still a delicate balance of medications and weekly lab work, but he's an extremely vibrant, loving, active 2.5 year old.

This blog is Stephen's journey told through my eyes (his mother's), thoughts, and emotions, with extreme highs and lows. But there's no way we would be where we are today without all of the support, thoughts and prayers from our family, friends, and readers! Thank you!!