*** Twelve ****

Greetings to all of you.
It has been many months since my last blog and I hope that this finds all of you living your lives to the fullest. Lives filled with simple pleasures that make your hearts sing and bring smiles to your faces.
We are approaching an amazing day and I felt it necessary to share it with all of you.
March 5th is Madelyn's 12th Birthday!!! I have tears in my eyes as I remember not knowing if this day would ever be realized. But those tears are tears of JOY today as she is embarking on anther year of life! Another year of being in our lives! God gave all of us a gift, the gift of Madelyn Marie Johnson. Another year is truly THE best birthday gift to not only Maddy, but to all of us! * HAPPY BIRTHDAY *
Madelyn is still on her journey to health. Her lung function is still less that the doctors and Maddy would like. But in true Mad fashion, she continues to move on through life not letting it get her down.
There are SO many things that Madelyn has had to miss out on since her hospitalization, but she does not let this hinder her enthusiasm for life. I believe we could all learn a great deal from this almost twelve year old.
So, on March 5th please take a moment to take in the simple pleasures in your lives. Take a moment to celebrate the amazing kid that brought all of us together almost a year ago and remember how special she is...how special the gift of living truly is!
*** HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADELYN MARIE JOHNSON **** You continue to Rock and we are right there along with you, still cheering you on!!!!

* Thank You from the bottom of our Hearts *

Where to begin with today's blog? I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you who have supported Madelyn & our entire family throughout her journey from ICU to home recovery.

To say that the pancake feed was a success is the understatement of the year!
A very heartfelt thank you to the Pickering and Cusick Families for taking the idea of helping to a whole new level! You not only donated many hours our of your time, time that could be spend with your family, to help our family. You are incredible individuals with wonderful, caring, generous hearts and spirits. Thank you!

Thank you to O'Dohtery's & Mike Cusick for donating all of the supplies, food, and your precious time.

We cannot say enough positive things for the guys at Something Worth Doing website.
Thank you for your time and energy involved with getting Maddy's page launched and managed. It was awesome for people in San Francisco to have the opportunity to donate via your site. Thank you Tyler & your entire staff.

A special note of thanks goes out to the Mayor of Spokane for showing up and spending time at the pancake feed. What an lovely act of kindness. Thank you.

I would like to personally thank each of you on behalf of our entire family. I know that Kara & Bob were so overwhelmed with your generosity every time we talked and I too am inspired by each of you who, even in this economy, you dug deep in your pockets and donated to an amazing kid, Madelyn Marie. Thank you hardly seems enough and doesn't begin to scratch the surface of our feeling of gratitude that we hold in our hearts for you.

Thank you, each of you who continued to support Madelyn through your generous contributions and by keeping her in your thoughts and prayers. Maddy still has a journey ahead of her, but the road is paved with love from each of you.

* Maddy's Pancake Feed Reminder *

Happy Day to all of you. I hope that as you check in with Maddy's blog it finds you with a big smile on your face, knowing that our Miracle Maddy is continuing to get stronger with each day.

Thank you for checking in. Madelyn is becoming healthier and stronger with each day. Madelyn's doctors still want her to limit guests, etc. We appreciate your understanding that Maddy's health comes first. Thank you.

I'd first like to take a moment to send a very heartfelt thank you to Kat for running Madelyn's Miracle Marathon. What a monumental task to take on for Maddy. We are so very fortunate to have such loving, giving friends. Thank you!

I also wanted to remind you of Maddy's Pancake Feed that is being put on by yet, another group of big hearted friends, Sarah & Michael Pickering....and friends. The circle of care has continued to grow. Please come out and show your support of our Miracle Kid, Madelyn Johnson! Thank you!

Please check out the link to purchase tickets. 100% of the proceeds will benefit Madelyn directly and we thank you so much for your continued support of her and her rehabilitation costs. Even if you cannot attend, you can purchase a ticket online and all of the money will go toward Madelyn's recovery costs. Thank you.
http://www.somethingworthdoing.com/?pageIndex=PancakeFeed

I feel so truly lucky to be the Aunt to Maddy & Mal and I am brought to tears today with the knowledge of how many amazing, loving, giving people my sister and family have in their lives. Thank you to all of you who extended your heart and hands to help our family in our time of need and crisis. Thank you, each of you who held on to hope and prayed each day for Madelyn's survival and recovery. Our prayers were answered!

Thank you and get ready to chow down on some yummy pancakes at Hamblen on Saturday from 9am-noon!

Thank you!

* Madelyn's Pancake Feed * May 30th *

As Maddy's proud Aunt, I wish to share some information with you. Many of you continue to ask about helping out. Michael Pickering has organized a pancake feed to do just that, to help out. Please join us in supporting Madelyn on Saturday May 30th at Hamblen Elementary School from 9am-noon. Tickets are $10 / or donation at the door.

Madelyn Johnson, a Hamblen Elementary 5th Grader is our Miracle and we ask you to join us a pancake feed to help raise money to go towards her medical & rehabilitation costs.

Let’s celebrate this amazing kid by coming together for Maddy’s Pancake Breakfast!
*100 % of proceeds will benefit Madelyn Johnson.

Maddy's Pancake Feed Organizers, Michael & Sarah Pickering can be reached #509.363.1627 or email Michael : michael@hamiltonstudio.com for more information

Thank you so much for all of your support, support that you have shown in so many loving ways. Madelyn is alive because one, she is a fighter and two, she was surrounded by the most loving people....all praying for her recovery.

* We would also like to share with you that Madelyn is receiving a very special honor as being named, Hero of the Month at Sacred Heart. More information to follow as it is made available. Clearly Madelyn has touched more lives that we had ever thought possible and I am filled with tears of joy and pride for Madelyn's ability to beat the odds and live! Here's to our Miracle, Madelyn Marie Johnson!

Homecoming!

Happy Sunday to all of you as you begin to greet your day filled with possibilities!
As you know, Madelyn was released from ICU on Tuesday afternoon and has been adjusting to her life at home beautifully!

The first night home was dedicated to family as they all camped out around Maddy's hospital bed in the living room. I can imagine that all the kitties and doggies were able to cuddle up as well. What a wonderful way to spend your first night home, surrounded by family.

Madelyn continues to become stronger each day as she works on her physical therapy, goes for walks, and has her school lessons. Her life is filled with possibilities!
She has proven to us that miracles are more than possible, they are reality!
She has proven to us that beating the odd are possible!
Possibilities are endless for Madelyn and I believe that it is our support and love that fills her with strength for continue pushing forward. Endless possibilities await you Madelyn!

We are also very proud of her sister, Mallory. Mallory showed us all that it was possible to be strong while her sister was fighting for her life. Mallory is a fighter as well and we are so very proud of her too. In fact, in yesterdays soccer game, Mallory scored the only....and winning GOAL!!! Way to go Mallory!

On a side note, many of you have inquired about wanting to help or asking, what can I do? First, you have all done so, SO much! We appreciate each of you who prayed, fed, loved, and cared for us thought about Madelyn over the past 7 weeks. Thank you!

Our dear friend Kat is running Maddy's Miracle Marathon and is taking donations to support Madelyn medical-physical therapy & rehabilitation cost. Please feel free to email me directly with questions. sharlaflock@yahoo.com.
Thank you once again for all of your care and love. We could not have made it through this without you and our hearts overflow with gratitude for you.

So, here's to our lives being filled with love and possibilities for wonderful things to come to us. Our Miracle Maddy has given us all a little bit of hope to hold onto in life and I truly believe that anything is now possible!

* Freedom for Kitty Girl Johnson *

Look out your window! Take a moment to drink in the feeling that Spring brings. The feeling of hope for tulips blooming, the freshness in the air, the warm summer nights filled with the smells of barbecue and fresh cut grass that await us...and Madelyn.

Take a moment to remember back 6 weeks ago today. Remember the feeling of sorrow that seemed to drench your souls as we first heard of Madelyn's health crisis. I remember the first 3,4,5 days of not knowing is she would live as the doctors could not offer us that hope. The pain that washed over our family seemed to never end. Today, the pain has been replaced with gratitude. Gratitude for Madelyn's life that was spared. Gratitude for the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, and the child life staff who cared for Madelyn. Gratitude for each of you who held on to hope, prayed day and night, and offered us your love in so many heartfelt ways. We thank you, Family.

Today Madelyn most likely will be able to leave the ICU and go home. It fills my heart with the greatest, most true feeling of love and appreciation I have ever known. Madelyn is alive!!! Madelyn is our Miracle!!! Madelyn, thank you for never-ever stopping in your fight. You may never truly understand what you went through, but know that you are amazing. You Rock! 143

Mallory too is an incredible kid who is filled with the same strength that her sister holds. The kind of strength that has held us together as a family. Mallory is the best medicine for her sister and I am so happy that the Johnson girls are reunited and looking forward to sleeping together under the same roof.

Here's to Spring and all good things that await Madelyn. May her health continue to improve with each passing day and bring with is laughter & happiness.
Here's to Spring filled with hope! Filled with Joy! Filled with Gratitude for Madelyn!
Our Miracle is going home soon!

* Once Madelyn is home, no visitors will be allowed for a while per the doctors instructions. We are so appreciative of your care and concern, but simply cannot risk Madelyn's health. The Johnson family needs time, quality un-interrupted time to reconnect as they ease into their new routine in caring for Maddy at home. We thank you for respecting the doctors advice and Madelyn's need for quiet time. Thank you.

*As of noon today, Madelyn will be on her way HOME!


*** Now for the conclusion of Kitty Girl Johnson & The Whirlwind of Illness....


“Ladies & Gentlemen, Round 10 is heating up with Whirlwind of Illness on his feet again! ( The crowd is on it’s feet once again, covering their eyes ) fearing what will come next for Kitty Girl Johnson.

Just then, Acrobat Alice, Pins & Needles Penny, and Loudmouth Leo explode onto the mat! They are one, big ‘ole ball of spaghetti & meatballs! They are slipping! They are sliding! They are sliding right into the Whirlwind of Illness! It looks as though they may just take the Whirlwind of Illness out!

Vallory Van Vohnson joins in as she lays down yet another powerful guitar riff on her magical guitar and Kitty Girl Johnson is vibrating her way across the mat with the help of her vibrating vest. This round is looking more like a circus than a fight, Ladies & Gentlemen!

Kitty Girl seems to have thrown something at the Whirlwind of Illness! What?!?!!? HUH?!?!? It looks like, ….. like her trach!!!!
Kitty Girl Johnson has just landed THE punch of all punches here at the Sacred Heart Dome, Ladies & Gentlemen. The trach-throw punch is the most lethal of all punches!

**ME*0oo00WwwwZzZaaAAa**

The Whirlwind of Illness if DOWN!!!!!! 1…...2…...3…..4……5…….
( the crowd explodes in triumph! )

**ME*O00ooOoWWwZzzaaaAAa**

The Whirlwind of Illness is DOWN!! Kitty Girl Johnson has defeated the evil Whirlwind of Illness in this Round 10 Knock Out!!!

**ME*00ooOoWwwZzzAaa**

( the crowd is on it’s feet chanting, KITTY GIRL * KITTY GIRL * )
The energy in the Sacred Heart Dome is electric!

WHAT!?!? What is Kitty Girl doing?!??!!? ( the crowd seems stunned! )
Ladies & Gentlemen, I can’t believe my eyes!?!!? Kitty Girl Johnson looks to be helping the Whirlwind of Illness up to his feet! ( the crowd gasps! ) What is SHE doing!?!?!
She has already defeated him, why, WHY would she be helping him to his FEET?!?!?

It looks like she is trying to give him a…A..a...hug!?! Ladies & Gentlemen, I have never seen anything like this!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!

Just then, in a blink of an eye, * Poof * the Whirlwind of Illness transforms into a beautiful butterfly and gently lands on the tips of Kitty Girl Johnson’s nose. Kitty Girl Johnson examines the butterfly and now appreciates his beauty as he he begins to float through the air towards to doors of the Sacred Heart Dome.

As Kitty Girl begins to leave the Sacred Heart Dome, her fans must follow her, just as she follows the beautiful butterfly dance through the air. There goes Acrobat Alice, Pins & Needles Penny, & Loudmouth Leo…followed by Vallory Van Vohnson & Cocoa Puff. Daisy Duke the Dancing Dog and Betty Sue Moo are joining in as, Mrs. Onstot and Ms. Johnson grab a few brownies & bingo cards as they too join the crowd. Kitty Girl’s coaches, Dr. Lee, Nurse Sarah, Barnyard Bernhard, and Nurse Tara join in just as they are exiting the Sacred Heart Dome. Ladies & Gentlemen, this is turning into some kind of incredibly wacky parade! The crowd continues to grow in size as they watch in awe of their beloved Kitty Girl.

As the doors to the Sacred Heart Dome fly open, Kitty Girl freezes! The crowd freezes! The Butterfly seems to be trying to tell her something as he fights to leave her side.
Kitty Girl holds out her finger as the butterfly lands. They have a moment, a moment of complete silence. No sound of birds. No sound of traffic. Not even the sound of the crowd. Just then, Kitty Girl speaks.

“ Thank you Whirlwind of Illness. Thank you for letting me defeat you! I will never forget you, but I set you free. Free to not harm another child. Free from the Sacred Heart Dome. Free to Fly Free"

Kitty Girl Johnson is now Free, just like the Whirlwind of Illness to float through her days, days filled with life! Every time you see a butterfly, take a moment to think of Madelyn, Kitty Girl Johnson, our miracle!

Laughter Returns to Sacred Heart

Madelyn is doing wonderfully today, off oxygen for most of the day thus far and is looking forward to going home soon. Her Dad called me this morning, laughing at the bruise I accidentally caused on Maddy's forehead. Yes, Laughter filled his voice! And no, Maddy is not hurt. Just a little Auntie Sharla war wound that will pass.

While in the beginning, we never could have imagined that laughter would be ours at Sacred Heart. Our souls were filled with sorrow and sadness, not knowing if Maddy would survive. Our Madelyn has defied the odds and lived! She has not only lived, but is healing faster than most ever thought possible. Now laughter fills our days again with an extra sense of joy as we are able to celebrate with Madelyn as she nears the day when she is able to return home!

We can laugh at the little things like the "Sponge Bob Zone." It's a new condition the girls have developed while at Sacred Heart. It's very serious. It's caused by watching so much Sponge Bob that they become entranced. They can't seem to hear us anymore once Sponge Bob comes on! It's really serious!

Or squirting Barnyard Berhnard when he pops in for a breathing treatment. Again, laughter fills our room.

Or being reminded by Dr. Lee that we are in a hospital as we clap & cheer when Maddy's got her trach out. Again, laughing at ourselves for being so loud and boisterous!

Laughter truly is the best medicine and I am grateful that our days are once again filled with happy times. So many happy days await Madelyn & Mallory, and for our entire family.

Thank you, each of you, who have prayed for Maddy. Madelyn is a survivor and I am grateful that she is alive and doing so incredible well. Thank you for caring not only about us, but for us. We are truly the luckiest people to have you in our lives. We also want to especially thank the entire staff at Sacred Heart who have cared for Madelyn. Maddy is alive in great part to you and your love for what you do. You may never truly understand the comfort you have given us, but know that we are eternally grateful for you and the excellent care you have provided Madelyn.

Let's celebrate with Madelyn! Celebrate her incredible recovery! Celebrate that is she is a Miracle, our Miracle! It's time to Celebrate Madelyn Johnson!