Clara's Butterfly Re-Birthday

Yesterday was the most wonderful, exciting, happy day that I could have asked for.  My daughter was reborn!

I can't put into words all of what went into yesterday and how it felt and what it meant to us to have this day happen.  I hope that for those of you who would have liked to have been here enjoyed the video.  It may not be "entertainment" but it was the true buzz and excitement and spontaneity and medicine that happened in that moment of her transfusion.  You can't catch everything that was said or done, but it was our best way to bring you into the actual moments of yesterday.

I also want to share with you what happened with the butterflies.  You may have seen them in one or two of the pictures Alan posted yesterday and in the video.

The butterflies were a very symbolic theme for the day as our little "bug" was transformed into a "butterfly." I spent three days trying to figure out how to mark the day's significance and bring a bit of excitement to the moment that was anticipated to be so anticlimactic. I realized that if we were going to do anything, it needed to involve marking the significance of what so many people have given to Clara and our family.  Although we cannot yet thank the "kid" that I now think to be the greatest of men, I wanted to thank the team of nurses, nursing aids, staff and doctors that have cared for us as family.

As is typical for me, I started a craft project that ended up being much more ambitious than I originally anticipated.  I decided to hand-make butterflies.  With limited time and only two trips to the craft store, I simplified my design and only made enough butterflies for the individuals on service yesterday and last night.

Here is the note that accompanied the basket of butterflies that I placed in the Nurses Workroom:

"As we celebrate this day and the opportunity it provides Clara for new life, we can’t go without thanking each of you for being a part of her re-birth.  We are so grateful for your time, your vigilance, and your smiles.  You truly have made us feel the support of family, and we thank you for choosing to be here with us in this continued journey.

These violet butterflies are a symbol of Clara’s transformation and opportunity for life.  

Please take one as a small symbol of our gratitude for the part you have played in that opportunity.  When you hold it, know that we will forever carry thoughts of you."

I had understood that the nurses couldn't wear anything "cloth" from room to room so I didn't make the butterflies affix-able.  But they ALL decided to wear them.  And when there weren't any safety pins, they ordered some from the hospitals central supply.  Others put them in their hair.

I hear that an older male patient even asked if he could have one since everyone that was coming into his room had one on!  One of the nurses said that they should start this as a new tradition for transplants.  "This is so fun!"

It meant so much to me that what I had wanted to give to them was so much bigger than anything I could physically give.  Yet, as they always do, they made the gift bigger and more important and special and were full of excitement for the celebration that they wore proudly throughout the day!  I will forever be grateful to them for embracing our small token of thanks and making our day so full of such an outward sign of celebration!

A few pictures for your viewing pleasure:

L-R: Lisa, A Transplant Nurse Coordinator; Pam, one of our two nurses for the day; Jessi, a resident; and Dr. Agarwal, the attending doctor and head honcho for the transplant unit

Pam and Kara, our nurses for the big day!

Clapping after someone spontaneously started singing Happy Birthday and all joined in!