caterina

2010: Year 6 post-transplant  - the Big 1st Grader

Cati turned 7 years old this year… hard to believe. Only 6 years ago we were told she most likely would not live past the age of 6. Well… never listen to what you are told is our motto!

After so many years of being “cooped up” and unable to travel too far from our medical centers, we really decided to “kick it up another notch” with the traveling this year. Thanks to Cati’s continued good health and growing strength, we were able to take her skiing for the 1st time. We traveled to Utah in March for their school Spring Break, and with the help of an adaptive ski-instructor, she was able to get on skis and go down a bunny slope for the 1st time!

Because we don’t take birthday celebrations lightly, her 7th birthday was gloriously welcomed in the beaches of Bermuda in May.  We had some of our closest friends with her so it was truly a party. We are worried as to her expectations going forward. Bermuda for your 7th birthday?? What’ll it be at 15??

In June she got the green light to travel literally to new heights (read: higher altitude ok despite her kidneys) so we spent a week of the Summer in Colorado. Rafting in the Colorado River was not enough… she even took a dive off the raft into the 55 degree water…more than her own mom was willing to do! Her spirit is intact and her sense of adventure is fearless!

The rest of the Summer took us back to the Dominican Republic for a few weeks, where Cati swam, basked in the Caribbean sun, and enjoyed very special time with family and friends.

Medically, we were thankfully faced with no new challenges. Her 6 year post- transplant check-ups went very well. We continue to monitor her growth very carefully, as she grew only a few more centimeters this year. Dr. Kurtzberg feels we will need to address growth hormone in the next year or two because she is not growing at the pace she should be.

Nonetheless, that does not stop our Cati. She is now in 1st grade and loving school! It is a fantastic place that not only nurtures her, but also challenges her and lights her curiosity. She takes school very seriously and as you may now imagine, everyone knows her at school. She is the little “mayor” in town.

We hope and pray for many more years like 2010. We like no surprises, no scares, and smooth sailing. Bring on more of these years!!!