The Pre-Wish plans

In February we, with his doctors, decided that this summer is the time for his next surgery. Even though we knew it was coming, it has been a major reality check for us. We had discussed whether or not to approach Make-a-Wish at this time, but after talking with Maddox's doctors, the social worker, some other Wish families and between ourselves, we felt that now is the time.

One of our concerns is how young he is. Will he remember this trip? Will he wish later in life that he could have a "do-over"? We don't know the answer to those questions, but we feel that it's important to have this time before his surgery. And one thing we do know, Maddox will love it right now.

Maddox LOVES all things Disney. He asks to watch Mickey first thing every morning and hates that I make him eat breakfast first. He calls himself Pluto Puppy, his sister Daisy, Dad Mickey and Mom Minnie. At some point in almost every day since Christmas he has asked me if he could "Eat noodles with Mickey". I have no idea where he came up with this idea, but hey it combines 2 of his most favorite things. Noodles and Mickey. We weren't sure if traveling to Florida would even be possible, so I told him he could ask his Dr. It was so cute. After we had talked everything over, I said "Maddox, wasn't there something you wanted to ask Dr.?" He got this big smile on his face and said "I eat noodles with Mickey?" She told him yes and I think he thought he was going right then. (Instead we had to take him to the lab for a blood draw )

Today I got our first call from the Make-A-Wish director. Wow. Even though I *knew* it was coming eventually, it was amazing to get the call and feel like this is really going to happen. Until now I'd only talked with our Social Worker and Dr., so this just felt official.

Then, because we need to make this happen very quickly, I got a call from the Travel Wish coordinator. She wanted to know if we had any dates in mind so she can get working on things and said we should get a call to meet with Maddox's Wish Granters early next week. Truly incredible.

So at this point we are waiting to hear from his Wish Granters get the ball rolling. Because his surgery is coming up in early June we are kind of rushing the process. I am grateful they are willing to do so. Our first choice of dates is within the first 2 weeks of May. If those don't work, our back up plan is the 3rd week of April. It's coming up fast! So even though it's not "officially official", we are planning as much as we can right now.