So Very Grateful

Through this whole ordeal with Dominic's surgery and stay in the University of Alberta Stollery Children's Hospital we have had an amazing outpouring of support from friends, family, coworkers, and mere acquaintances. Some offering accommodations or a home cooked meal, others offering to help financially, and others simply offering help if we need anything at all. My mom has particularly gone above and beyond with taking care of the kids (including bringing them out to see us) and being someone to talk to and shoulder to cry on when it's needed. Some others have sent well wishes via phone, email, Facebook, and a neat little program called "Email Well Wish" they have here at the Stollery. We have been given gifts and goodies for Dominic and the rest of the family. I have gotten stories from people I have known for years telling me that they had cleft lips and palates and I never would have known to see them now. I have heard/read about people's family members having strokes in utero and how well they are functioning now. I have been told about physical traits being "fixed" and how saying goodbye to those traits can be so tough. I threw out an interest in hand-me-down clothes on Facebook and got an overwhelming response so I am sure Dominic will have the best baby boy closet in Saskatoon. All of this means so much to Roland and me and our family.

We have been very well supported throughout our entire stay here in Edmonton by not only people we know, but through institutions set up to help support people like us that have a child with a lengthy hospital stay away from home. Our only concern for the time being is Dominic's recovery, and we are thankful that we can focus on that rather than other issues that must be dealt with but seem more trivial at times like this. We really are stable right now, but thank you for your offers of help. I may be cashing them in when Dominic gets to come home with us. ;)

For any of those who feel that they would like to do something for Dominic or for us, we have been really supported by (or may need support from) three institutions currently (or in the future). First, we were approved for funding through Kinsmen Telemiracle for our accommodations, travel, parking, and meals which has made us far less stressed financially. They have been absolutely amazing. They listen to and understand my concerns and make certain exceptions for us due to our situation. Also the Stollery Children's Hospital here in Edmonton is fantastic. Not only because of their stellar medical staff, but also because of the welcoming environment they have created here. They have done an amazing job making this hospital not a scary place. Finally, hopefully with the building of the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan, we won't need to travel so far and be away from home for so long for Dominic's specialized care in the future. All three of these charities have helped us out exponentially and are very deserving of any contributions you may make. If you would like to donate under Dominic's name please do, we would really appreciate the support.

To donate to Kinsmen Telemiracle: http://www.telemiracle.com/html/donateToday/index.cfm

To donate to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation: https://secure.stollerykids.com

To donate to the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan Foundation: https://www.childrenshospitalsask.ca/sslpage.aspx?pid=298 

Thank you all again for your support!