Jonny's Journey. A Path to a New Beginning.

11/05/2025

💚 Day 100 & 101 : A Milestone Kind of Week 💚

This week was full of moments that reminded me just how far Jonny has come.
Sunday marked day 100 post-transplant, and we couldn’t let it pass without celebrating in a big way! We spent the evening at Medieval Times cheering, laughing, and soaking in every moment. Jonny loved every second of the show, eating with his hands like a true knight and grinning from ear to ear.

The next morning, it was back to business with Jonny’s routine 3-month clinic appointment in Toronto. Bloodwork came first, followed by a gruelling 2-hour ultrasound (with lots of stops, starts, and “we just need a few more pictures”).

This mama’s anxiety was climbing with every pause… but sure enough, every single concern was ruled out.
✅ Ultrasound looks great
✅ Bloodwork looks great

A huge sigh of relief.

To celebrate, we made one more stop before heading home to the Ripley’s Aquarium! Because when you hit day 101 post-transplant, you celebrate every chance you get. 🐠💦

We’ll be back in Toronto in about six weeks for his next follow-up, with some routine bloodwork in between.

It’s incredible to be on this side of things!
Oh, and one more exciting update, he is down four medications this month! That means Jonny now only takes his meds twice a day. 🎉

Huge progress. Huge gratitude. Huge hope. 💚

11/03/2025

🛡️ Checked In & Ready for Tomorrow 🛡️

We’re all checked into our hotel in Toronto tonight after an amazing evening at Medieval Times. Dinner and a show to kick off this trip to Toronto in the best way possible.

Tomorrow Jonny has clinic with blood work and an ultrasound. I’m choosing to believe we are going to rewrite history. The last time we came to Toronto for “just” a clinic visit that included an ultrasound, we didn’t leave for 10 days after learning he was facing a rejection.

Tomorrow is a new chapter, and I fully believe we’re walking into a completely different outcome. ✨

What made tonight even more meaningful is that the last time we were at Medieval Times was back when we were exploring the possibility of transplant for Jonny. The piece of chicken they serve is 92 grams… and Jonny’s daily protein allowance used to be 28 grams. That meant only a few tiny strings of meat for him.

Tonight, I watched my boy tear into that chicken with his hands medievil style, with zero restrictions, smiling ear to ear. 🍗
No measuring.
No weighing.
No limits.
Just freedom.

Such a perfect way to mark being in Toronto for his 3 month post-transplant appointment, and to celebrate that he’s now allowed back into some indoor spaces again.

Please send us all your positive thoughts and prayers for tomorrow. 💚
We’re ready for good news.


onto

10/26/2025

🎉 Three Months Post-Transplant — Our 3 Month Liverversary! 🎉

Today marks 3 months since Jonny received his gift of life — his brand new liver! 💚

We plan to officially celebrate next week when we’re back in Toronto for his next clinic appointment, but this milestone feels too special not to share. Three months means Jonny can now start going into some indoor places again — a huge step forward!

Of course, with flu season in full swing, this mama’s nerves are definitely high 😅, but we’re focusing on the incredible progress and the freedom this brings.

To mark the day, we ventured out this evening to see some Halloween fun on Havenridge Crescent — spooky decorations, music, and some seriously impressive dance moves in the streets! 🎃🕺

It’s moments like these — being out, laughing, and just enjoying life — that remind us how far we’ve come. 💛


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10/15/2025

🎢 A Roller Coaster (No Pun Intended) 🎢

The last several days have been just that. A roller coaster.

Saturday we ventured out with friends and family to Canada’s Wonderland Halloween Haunt, and what a thrill it was! Jonny and Charlie went on more rides than I could count and faced every fear head-on. It was amazing to escape the house for a while and make memories full of laughter and excitement.

Fast forward through a couple of Thanksgiving dinners, where I found myself extra thankful watching Jonny enjoy endless turkey without any restrictions. Thankful for his recovery, his strength, and, most of all, for the gift of his new liver.

Then Monday evening hit and life reminded us that this journey really does come with ups and downs. Jonny couldn’t bear weight on his leg for days, and the pain kept getting worse, leading us back to the hospital for another admission.

This time, though, it felt so different. In the past, every hospital stay with his previous condition meant endless advocating fighting to be heard and for his condition to be taken seriously. But transplant life is different. The team knows exactly what to do, what to test for, and what to watch closely. There was no uphill battle for answers, just immediate care and understanding.

They decided to admit him overnight, which came as a complete shock to me. Thankfully, everything checked out okay, and we were able to leave once things stabilized this afternoon, though we still don’t have a clear answer for what caused the pain but ruled out any of the scary stuff that potentially comes with being a transplant patient.

So here we are home again, grateful but reminded that this road really is a roller coaster. And maybe we’ll never quite get off it… but we’ll keep holding on, together. 💚

10/10/2025

🌟 A Special Update — Jonny’s Wish Journey Begins 🌟

Last January, after one of the hardest years Jonny has faced. With over seven hospital admissions, more than 50 hospital visits, and countless needles, tests, and medical interventions I submitted a request to Make-A-Wish for him. 💙

In March, we received the incredible news that Jonny had been approved to make a wish! This brought so much light, joy, and hope into our lives, something positive for him to look forward to after so many tough days.

Tonight, we officially began that journey with his Wish Discovery meeting, where two wonderful Make-A-Wish volunteers spent time getting to know Jonny, learning all about what makes him smile, what he loves, and what could make a truly special wish come true for him. ✨

The process will take some time, but I’m so excited to see where it leads and to watch my boy’s dream take shape. After everything he’s been through, he truly deserves every bit of magic coming his way. 💫

10/07/2025

💚 Donor Update 💚

We heard from one of Jonny’s incredible donor’s today, the amazing woman who stepped forward to be tested for him after seeing a shared post. Although she wasn’t ultimately able to donate to Jonny, she chose to continue her journey and still give the gift of life to someone else in need. 💫

Her surgery took place recently, and she’s now in recovery and doing well. What an absolutely selfless act, one that reminds us just how powerful kindness, courage, and connection can be.

Please continue to send your prayers and positive thoughts to both her and her recipient as they heal and begin their new chapters.

The ripple effect of her decision to say yes will forever be part of Jonny’s story, too. 💚

10/06/2025

Home from Toronto with Good News 💚

We’re home from Toronto with hearts full of relief and gratitude. Jonny’s appointment went exactly as we hoped, his levels look great, reassuring us that his new liver is happy and healthy. 🙏

He’s absolutely loving his new food freedom. Ribs, subs, and nachos are right at the top of his list these days! Watching him enjoy food without fear still feels surreal.

Our trip itself was smooth sailing. Jonny happily watched Godzilla x Kong both ways, headphones on, while I used the drive to listen to the audiobook “Let Them.” The message hit me deeply.

For nearly a decade, I’ve lived in a constant state of fear and vigilance, never knowing when Jonny’s condition might take a turn. It shaped how I thought, planned, and even breathed some days. The book reminded me that some things in life, especially the unpredictable are truly beyond my control.

The drive there and back gave me time to reflect. For so many years, my world revolved around keeping Jonny stable. When you’re a parent to a child with complex medical needs, you become everything. The nurse, the pharmacist, the care coordinator, the advocate, the driver, and the voice that never stops fighting for your child. You live in a constant state of planning, preparing, and holding it all together and for me specifically, fear!

But what I’m learning through this journey is that I can’t control everything and that’s okay. There’s a higher power at work in all of this, and sometimes faith means loosening your grip and trusting that things will fall into place.

Jonny’s cured of his metabolic condition, and while transplant life brings its own challenges, it’s also brought healing, hope, and a sense of peace we haven’t felt in years and for myself as his mom maybe ever.

We haven’t heard an update yet from our angel on earth donating a portion of her liver who underwent her surgery today, but I trust she’s doing well, she’s in the best hands possible. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Her bravery and selflessness have changed so many lives.

Thank you all for your continued love, prayers, and support. I truly feel it every step of the way.

10/05/2025

🌕 Full Moon Blessings & A Circle of Miracles

We arrived in Toronto this evening under a full moon, with the city buzzing for the Jays game. The drive was smooth and easy. Thank goodness for that!

Tomorrow morning, Jonny has his clinic appointment and routine bloodwork. This visit will reassures us that his new, gifted liver is settling in just the way it should. 🙏

But tonight, and especially tomorrow, we’re asking for extra prayers, not just for Jonny this time, but for two other incredible warriors.

Before Jonny received his liver, a woman, someone we’ve never met, came forward after seeing a shared post from a friend. A complete stranger, moved to act, stepped up and began the process to donate a portion of her liver to Jonny. Before we knew whether she was a match, we got the call—the call that a deceased donor liver was available for Jonny.

This amazing woman didn’t stop there. She chose to move forward anyway, continuing with her donation to give another person their own second chance at life. Her surgery is tomorrow morning. 💚

So many prayers have been answered in this story. Ours, the family who received the call we once waited so desperately for, and now the recipient of this living gift. It’s a powerful reminder that every act of kindness, every share, and every ounce of faith can ripple out and change lives in ways we can’t even imagine.

Please keep this incredible donor and her recipient in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Because of her courage, another family will soon feel the same miracle we’ve been blessed with.

09/25/2025

✨ Two-Month Liverversary ✨

Hi everyone. Thank you for still tagging along for this ride with us. Updates have slowed down a bit, and honestly, that’s a good thing. Around here, no news really is good news. Our biggest excitement these days is about family meals, fewer emergency room visits, and little tastes of normal life. We celebrate the wins in between.

Today marks 2 months since Jonny’s liver transplant and I keep double-checking the math because it hardly seems possible. Those long hospital days often felt like weeks, yet somehow it’s only been two months. Holy cow.

It amazes me that my son had an organ transplant (and even a rejection scare!) just eight weeks ago, and now we’re back to school, friends, and everyday routines. Life feels almost…normal.

We’re still cautious about indoor spaces while illnesses are on the rise, and Jonny will remain immune-suppressed for some time. Though less and less as the months go on. For now, we’re holding on to the simple things:
✨ Starting a family tradition of watching Survivor
✨ Me getting my very own Roblox account to meet the kids where they’re at
✨ Crafts, quiet time, and slow moments together

Today we marked this milestone with a mental health day. Just me and the kids, a cozy lunch at Boston Pizza during a quiet time, and a quick Halloween store visit while crowds were low.

I’m so grateful for this chapter. Two months feels like three or four, yet here we are. Home, healing, laughing, and living a life that not long ago felt out of reach. 💚

09/14/2025

I can’t express the level of care from SickKids in words. It truly was a feeling. And I’ve certainly completed many experience surveys showing appreciation and gratitude in the care they have not only given to Jonny but for talking me off a ledge ten times over.

Toronto’s SickKids Hospital just earned global bragging rights. In Newsweek and Statista’s 2026 ranking of the world’s best specialized hospitals, SickKids took the #1 spot in pediatrics, beating out 249 other centres worldwide.
It wasn’t the city’s only win. Sunnybrook landed in the top 10 for obstetrics & gynecology, while Princess Margaret Cancer Centre ranked 9th in oncology. Toronto General Hospital made the list across multiple specialties, including cardiac surgery and gastroenterology, and Mount Sinai secured high spots in obstetrics and endocrinology.
The rankings were based on patient-reported outcomes, expert surveys, and international accreditations. For Toronto, it’s more proof the city’s hospitals aren’t just among the best in Canada — they’re shaping standards of care around the world.

09/10/2025

Sometimes no news truly is good news!

Jonny has been easing back into school this week. It’s a bit of a juggle. Between “not feeling well,” nerves, and the normal back-to-school challenges but we’re taking it day by day.

The best part? Yesterday’s routine bloodwork shows his new liver is settling in beautifully. 🙌

And beyond the labs, we’re seeing something even more special: joy. The smiles and giggles coming from Jonny are ones that used to be so few and far between. His school staff even mentioned they’ve never seen him smile so much before.

Today, he offered to help me with some outdoor yard work, proudly stepping into the role of “man of the house.” He smiled ear to ear as he worked, and then found some fun mixing “business with pleasure” by playing with the leaf blower afterward.

Friday marked 6 weeks post-transplant, which means Jonny can now return to all regular activities (with a few limits, still no big crowds or indoor spaces until we hit the 3-month mark).

We’re soaking up these moments of normalcy and joy, one milestone at a time.

09/04/2025

First Day of School Update ✏️🍎

Probably one of the smoothest first days we’ve had since kindergarten. Transitions are never easy around here, but today I was pleasantly surprised.

Is it possible we’re already starting to see some positive cognitive improvements since transplant? Time will tell, but the little glimmers of change give me so much hope.

When I first listed Jonny for transplant, one of my biggest wishes was for him to finally have a “normal” school year. Post-transplant, I know our version of “normal” might look a little different but today gave me hope that he can still have a year full of growth, joy, and new beginnings.

Grade 6 and off to a great start. 💚