Great news!!!!

That's great to hear!!

I too understand the guilt gifts. How else do I explain the 4 foot high 3 foot wide bear that my son has. After a couple of days with tubes stuck up his nose and in his legs I couldn't see a reason not to. I am SO glad to hear everything seems so bright right now. Have a restful weekend Becca, you deserve it and so does Bear!

One of these days you are going to wonder what to do with all that time you have since you don't have to go in for Dr. appts. etc. You may even have a "normal" life.

Yay!!! Have a fabulous weekend!

I haven't heard anything about Miss Natalie for a while, so I'm hoping that no news is good news. Continuing my prayers...

You're in my prayers

One year anniversary of this thread!! Congratulations Becca on coming so far!

There is a nice post on her site

I'm getting all choked up just typing this. I don't know what to say or how to thank all of you. You have made our lives easier, through your kind words, your constant prayer, your phone calls, the creation of an awesome website by a BOL user's husband... Bless you all that have blessed us, may God return the favor 10-fold.

Thanks to everyone that have prayed and continue to pray.

Last year at this time we were at such a terrible low. A nurse brought in a rocking chair and I just rocked my moaning 104 degree temp baby, wondering how long she could hold on.

Here is the the request that I made on 10/28/04 that started this massive thread.

Keep us in your prayers 10/28/04 04:45 PM
Well the "bear" is finally getting listed to receive a new liver. She is getting progressively worse. I am going to start the testing process to see if I am a good match for a living liver donation.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

BTW - I'm in the hospital computer lab taking a much needed stress break and where do I come - BOL! LOL!

And remember you can always check for updates at www.nataliebear.com

For those of you that have never read this very long thread, my daughter got part of my liver in February of this year. I frequently post updates here.

Parts of this update are also on her webpage (click my profile):

I just wanted to let you know that for the month of December, the bear (and her story) is being featured on Make a Child Smile .

I am humbled to say the least. Kids with life threatening illnesses are featured monthly and volunteers from all over the world send cards and letters to each child. Sometimes I forget just how sick she really is. I try to pretend that everything is normal. But to be featured on this site means that things are very far from normal.

Please check out the site and the story that we have submitted there. Also if you have time, please send a card this holiday season to one of the other kids that are featured there and make them smile.

Liver labs are in...and they are good.
Numbers are trending downward and that's a good thing.
They don't want to see us again until mid December (that's a new record - 5 weeks away from the hospital - knock on wood)!!!

A cute Christmas Story from us :
The bear is obsessed with the big guy in Red.
My daughter LOVES Santa. We went to our local pharmacy last weekend and he was there. She saw him and looked at me - her eyes were gleaming as she whispered, with awe, "Santa." He came over to her and she gave him, "Five." She turned her shy charm on and said, "Hi, Santa." As he walked away she said, "Santa, oh, no." I told her that it was OK; Santa had to visit with other kids too. And she said, "Bye Santa," and blew him a kiss. Oh, my heart just melted.

You see her relationship with Santa first started last Christmas. He came to our annual family Christmas party as he does every year. As he picked my daughter up, my grandma whispered in Santa's ear, "Santa, this is the little girl that needs a transplant." The bear (at 14 months old) was curious. She poked his nose and tugged on his very real beard. She made a new friend. At this age she was just beginning to experience a fear of strangers - but not with Santa.

Santa hugged her tight and asked, "Well, little one what do you want for Christmas?" One of my little cousins said, "She needs a liver!" Santa's eyes welled up with tears. He gave her a big hug and said, "I will pray for you, the Big Guy [Jesus] and I are close." Well, we all lost it then. I cried. But when don't I?

Christmas wishes can come true.

Thank you for the beautiful story and the update. That brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat.
You have a very special little girl there. Keep up the good work.

It's great to hear that she's doing so well. and thanks for making me cry at work.....

But they're good tears! Thanks for the great news...

Becca, I am so glad to hear that everything is going well with the bear. I try to keep up with her on her website, but I so enjoy reading about her here too.

Hey Mom, of course the Big Guy and Santa are close. His other name is Saint Nick, isn't it?

Becca, everytime I'm here I get choked up. The Santa story is so wonderful, thank you for sharing. Your entire family continues to be in my prayers.

Signed: another Becca

Gosh, like everyone else, that story brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy that she is doing well. I hope all of you have a special Christmas and you and The Bear get everything on your wishlist.

Glad to hear she is doing well. Tell her to keep it up.

OK, I teared up too. I'm glad she's happy to see Santa and I pray that she continues to improve each and every day. Merry Christmas Nat.

Thanks for the update on Bear Bear. It's just what this place needed!

LOVE the update Becca! Can't we all just use good news this time of year. I hope your family has a WONDERFUL holiday with your bear.

You know Becca, it is awful hard to read this stuff with tears in your eyes. How can you not believe in Santa Claus when he comes through like that.

MOPNB-Your family is truly an inspiration to us all! And that settles it...there really is a Santa Claus!!

What a special Santa!!! Glad she continues to do so well. I'm sure you will enjoy your Christmas with her this year!!!