Writing this from inside a plane that up until 48hrs ago I never thought we’d achieve, is a bit surreal.

I think we as a family are still very much processing everything that just happened. From feeling hopeless just a few days ago, discussing emergency back up plans that we knew had significant risks to Katja, to our community coming together to raise funds and the gifts of two very amazing people. We went from hopeless to hopeful.

It’s humbling to realize that good people still exist. From the keyboard warriors defending us and our story online (yes I see you and I appreciate you keeping the facts straight and defending Katja’s story).

To our local media handling Katja’s story as if she was their own child (we are forever grateful! Even for the masking, sanitizing, keeping a distance and removing your shoes respectfully before entering our home).

To our friends and family who shared everything we were going through. Whom showed up and helped. (Big thank you to my Mom Linda for staying since Boston, she’ll be with us for months at this point and I’m grateful she can be home with the older 3 kids. My Friend Kim, who as I write is in a car driving from Chicago to North Carolina so she can babysit our autistic 4yr old while we focus on Katja).

Our older 3 daughters who have weathered this storm with grace and flexibility. We love you guys, we miss you already!

To the local community. The Facebook groups (Woodinville and Moms of Monroe YOU ROCK!) getting our story out and helping connect us to resources.

To John. The amazing man that stepped up when he saw a little girl on the TV and a Mom’s pleas for help. You sir are forever an honorary family member to us. Your heart is seriously made out of gold and you are such a a special individual. We are so blessed to have you in Katja’s life. You didn’t just donate, you showed up to see us off and brought gifts and donuts for our kids. I wish I could express my gratitude to you without ugly crying every time but it’s beyond measure. You’ve restored my faith in humanity and I will forever be grateful ❤️

And our “anonymous donor” while we now know who you are, we will respect your privacy. We are greatful for people like you that share your wealth and try to make the world a better place. Katja still really wants to give you a hug but she’s sending you a clay rocket she made instead. We appreciate you.

While this feels a bit like an ending, it is really only the beginning. We are on our way to North Carolina now to await the call that a donor is available for Katja’s Partial Heart Transplant. I don’t know how long we will need to stay in a hotel, away from our other children but having the peace of mind that we are minutes from Duke when the call comes has lifted the biggest hurdle for us.

What’s next? Now we prepare for surgery, recovery and getting her home to continue healing with family and lots of therapy.