I hate my birthday. This is common knowledge to just about anyone who is relatively close to me. However, my reasoning behind this hatred might not be as readily known because I usually tell people, "Because I've had some really crappy birthdays."
The worst one to date was my 14th birthday. I turned 14 in the back of an ambulance that was speeding from an ER in Scranton to the ICU at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. I had spent the 2 years leading up to this joy ride suffering from ailments that didn't have explanations. Doctors said my excruciating joint pains were probably growing pains because all of their blood tests came back negative. Test after test came back without a diagnosis. I even lost all of the hearing in my left ear because a "virus" caused nerve damage. Everything came to a boiling point the day before my 14th birthday when I ended up in the ER with fluid surrounding my heart and lungs. The local doctors recognized the severity of my case and sent me to the ICU in Philly.
I'm not going to lie... I barely remember the first few days in the hospital. I do remember when the doctors finally came to me and my family with a diagnosis: Lupus. It wasn't terminal but the road to remission was going to be a long one. I was placed on a HIGH dose of prednisone that over the course of a year that would bring my overactive immune system down to the activity seen in a normal immune system. That summer was spent driving back and forth between home and Philadelphia for check ups.
It's been 12 years and I'm still in remission. I definitely had my fair share of flare-ups but I've been lucky. I have never allowed Lupus to be a large part of my life, and I tried to grow up as normal as possible. Normalcy is ALL I ever wanted. When I was diagnosed, I was so young and naive. I never really saw the larger picture until years later. The stress it put on my parents... my sister. Financially and emotionally. Dealing with a sick child is something that I wish upon NO ONE. I'm so fortunate that my illness, with treatment, was controlled into remission. Others aren't as fortunate.
Which brings me to the whole reason for this post. Icing Smiles. This incredible organization is working to bring that sense of normalcy that I spoke of before, to critically/terminally ill children and their families. I'm going to quote their mission statement because my words won't do it justice.
"Icing Smiles is a nonprofit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by the critical illness of a child. We understand that the simple things, like a cake, are luxuries to a family battling illness. Our goal is to create a custom cake for the ill child, or their sibling, that provides a temporary escape from worry and creates a positive memory during a difficult time."
I got goosebumps the first time I read this and I knew this was something I needed to be part of. I've been there.. I know what it feels like to want that temporary escape and I cannot wait until I am able to provide that to a family. I'm official registered as a "Sugar Angel" and have been added to the list of vendors in the Scranton (and surrounding 120 miles) area who will donate custom cakes to families that apply.
I've always been looking for a way to give back and I've found it. If I can make one child smile, temporarily forget about their pain, and possibly prevent them from hating their birthdays in the future... then I'll do everything in my power (and in my kitchen) to make that possible. Please take some time to check out Icing Smiles and their Facebook page to see what an extraordinary organization this is! I can't wait until I get to donate my first cake and I will definitely post a blog about it. Thanks for reading!
Always,
Sarah
