December 16, 2024 • 17 mins
We grant a Christmas Wish for the Pirkola family, whose twins Elliott and Jack were born premature with plenty of health issues.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Believe in Themagice of the Hubways. Dave Ryan's Christmas Wish.
Good morning, Laurie, Good morning. How long you've been listening
to katiewb Lorie? Oh years years since you were a
little kid and called in to request Madonna.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Probably when my daughter was in high school. Okay, so
fifteen seventeen plus years ago.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Okay, gotcha, Thank you for doing a Christmas wish.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You are doing a Christmas wish for my.
Speaker 4 (00:25):
Daughter and her husband.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (00:27):
They have a child that was born with many health issues.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
And so I talked to you. We talked last week.
We did and we talked.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
I mean the challenges that they've come across have really
been pretty incredible, I mean, very very difficult challenges. And
we want to help out with a Christmas wish and
some of the things that you think they might need
that might bring a little joy to their holiday. To
deliver the Christmas wish is our friend Brandon from college
(00:55):
Muscle Movers. Brandon, Good morning, good morning, Thanks for getting
up early. Brandon. What part of town are you in
right now? We're in Zimmerman.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Whoah, Zimmerman.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Okay, didn't we do another one in Zimmerman?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Not too long we did want in beer, which is
kind of up that that way too.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Okay, well, Brandon, thanks for helping out. Brandon is our
safety net if they do not answer the phone. And
then Brandon also brings in all of the things that
we are bringing to this family. Brandon, stand by and
we'll let you know if we need you. Okay, Oh good,
and thanks. Thanks for all you guys do. College muscle movers.
I always want to give them a plug if you
were thinking about moving. They give you fifteen free muscle
(01:31):
boxes and an on time guarantee with every move that
they do. We're gonna call Erica right now. Erica is
your daughter's my daughter? Okay, that's called Erica right now.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
So what did you tell Erica this morning to try
to convince her to answer a random phone call?
Speaker 4 (01:49):
She thinks that I'm delivering laundry that I had done
for her.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Okay, that's a good way to put it.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
Also super nice. I'd love it if someone did my laundry, honestly.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Yeah, is that your Christmas wish?
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (02:01):
Okay, Oh, this is Hi.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
I'm looking for Erica please.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Uh, yes, she is upstairs with one of the kids.
Speaker 6 (02:21):
Uh, can you give me a second.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah for sure. Yeah, okay, thank you. Okay, I think
you might have an idea what's going on here? But
that's her husband.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
That's her husband, Josh. But he's really gone, Josh.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Okay, Josh, are you still there? Oh he set the phone. Yeah,
he's running it ran upstairs.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Sometimes people find out and it's not the end of
the world. If people find out about Christmas wish.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
I think Josh thinks you're the laundry guy.
Speaker 6 (02:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Yeah, they probably think it's a doctor's office.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Hi. Is this Erica? This is Erica.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
The story about the laundry being delivered that was all
a ruse, a ruse. This is actually Dave Ryan on
the radio over at KATIBGB. I'm sitting here with your
mom right now.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Hi Mom, Hi kiddo.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Would you have any idea why we're calling this morning? Erica?
Speaker 5 (03:14):
Well, i've heard your radio station before.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Yeah, so you know that we're probably calling with a
KATIEWB Christmas wish, and you would be right. Your mom
wrote in about your two little ones, and she wrote
us that three little ones, three little ones, and she
is going to read the letter right now. Erica, have
you got a minute.
Speaker 6 (03:37):
Yeah, okay.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Mom.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Our daughter, Erica and her husband had twin boys a
year ago in April. Elliott was born at five pounds
three ounces. Besides being premature, he was healthy. Jack was
born at two pounds eight ounces with several health issues.
He had field growth restriction and was also born with
a rare condition called ohei yes is Intestine's liver and
bladder were on the outside of his body. He has
(04:01):
spina bifida and his lower organs did not completely develop.
At five days old, he had his first surgery to
put his liver and intestines back in his body. He
is our little miracle. After four months in the NICU,
he was able to go home. Erica has taken unpaid
leave from her position to care for him. Her husband's
medical did not cover Erica's m mass medication. It was
(04:23):
more economical for her to take Cobra for the coverage.
This year in twenty twenty four. It has been a
high monthly expense for them, especially since she has not
been able to work very much this year. Jack has
been in the hospital for approximately fourteen weeks and has
had four major surgeries, one being very major, including five surgeons.
(04:44):
Having two other children at home to care for. She
missed visiting Jack only a couple of the days over
the fourteen weeks. They live approximately an hour away from
the hospital. It has been a lot of driving. Jack
has regular visits with neurology, urology, primary pediatrician, physical therapy,
feeding therapy, GI doctor and dietitian, orthopedic for his club
(05:06):
feet and ampho braces, and other specialty appointments. He had
seen palmonology and he had worn a helmet. They have
many weekly appointments. Jack has an illyostomy bag, a G
tube that bypasses his stomach and goes directly into his intestine.
He does not eat anything by mouth. He is on
a continuous twenty four hour feed. He has a second
(05:26):
G tube for his bladder, a tube for his stomach
that relieves stomach acid, and he wears affo braces. He
has had infections and rashes on his skin from linking
tubes until his major surgery. His bladder, being on the
outside of his body, also had to be cared for.
Erica is an amazing caregiver. She is exhausted and never complaints.
(05:48):
They are wonderful parents in this situation that they're in
Erica's husband is a police officer and he volunteers with LIMA,
which means he volunteers his services for fallen officers funerals.
I'm asking for them to be blessed with things that
are time saving and make things more convenient for Erica.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Thank you to Katie W.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
B and the wonderful staff for making Dave Ryan's Christmas
which is possible, to the business and individuals that support this,
and thank you for choosing their family.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Four months in the.
Speaker 6 (06:22):
Nick you right, yeah about.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
That when you had your twins, did was there any
indication that there would be health issues?
Speaker 6 (06:35):
Yeah, we found out pretty early on, for probably about
twelve twelve weeks is when we first got the indication
that's something was wrong.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
And I think it's one of those things where nearly
everyone listening who has kids the experiences pretty you know
what to expect. You have a kid, if you have
a C section, you're in for a day or two.
After you bring your child home, you put them in
the little you do the feedings, and it's all kind
of routine. And you'd had another child before. How old
(07:05):
is your oldest one? He's four, He's four, And that's Wilson,
what a great name, and then Jack was Elliott was fine,
and Jack was I mean two pounds and eight ounces.
That's so tiny, just such a tiny little baby with
all of the health issues and surgery, serious major surgery
(07:27):
with five surgeons.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Did you say, the last major surgery.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
And the one major surgery to put his organs and
intestines back inside his body.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
But yeah, there's a lot of repair to his organs.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
And he's home now, yep. Yeah, And how is he doing.
Speaker 6 (07:49):
He's doing all right. He's working hard, physical therapy and
all of his appointments to catch up.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
I'm pretty sure I saw a picture. You sent me
a picture, didn't you, Laurie. Yeah, is of smile. He's
a big smiles all the time.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
He's a big smile. Or he's a happy boy.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
He's pretty happy.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Well, we know there's a lot of challenges ahead with
the insurance and medical costs. And you're not working right
now because you're home taking care of little Jack. Yeah,
and not just Dak, but also his brother Elliott and
Wilson as well. And I think sometimes people forget when
there's a sick child, the other children still need that
(08:26):
love and attention.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Tell me a little bit about Elliott.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
He's so funny, He's in everything. He's really really smart.
I mean we can tell him to throw his diaper
away and he goes right to the garbage cancer away.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Is such a sweet age.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
About a year old, then nineteen months okay, and.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Then tell me about Wilson too. He's four.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Yeah, he is in preay school and he's into race cars,
cars and even cars racing.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
He's very social, very social.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Well, we wanted to make your Christmas a little bit
easier with some things for the kids, and things for
you and for your husband also, Josh. So let's start
off with little Jack, Jack, who's had such a tough
road and continues to have many challenges. We got just
some fun, cool things. We've got a four hundred dollars
(09:28):
gift card to Spoony Threads.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Now, what is that?
Speaker 3 (09:30):
This is a site that features adaptive clothing and accessories
for individuals with an illness that requires it. I'm not
sure if you've heard of it, but we found that
the four hundred dollars gift card. We've got two copper
pearl three layer blankets and some other cool stuff that
are arriving from Amazon. We got Spidery and Friends, spider
Man's smartphone, a leap Frog one hundred Animal's book, Melissa
(09:54):
and Doug seventeen piece wouldn't take, a long tabletop farm
and four farm vehicle, some stuff all arriving from Amazon.
For Jack and for twin brother Elliott. We've got a
Shark Squish Mellow just some fun stuff, Disney Junior, Lego,
iron Man, Monster Jam RC, a remote control truck, some clothes,
(10:15):
a leap Frog Learning Friends book, and a bunch of
diapers for both of the boys. A matter of fact,
four cases of diapers and wipes.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
So Jack's wearing three diapers right now at a time,
is that right?
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Three?
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Yes, We're one around the tube, one to protect the skin, yeah,
and then one that the bladder go was directed into.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
So he wears three. Blighter.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
You were talking about Lori, about the challenge of like
the leaking tubes, and it's like that caused a rash
and skin irritation, and this is just something that you'd
never think of, Just another thing that you have to
keep an eye on. For Wilson, he's into the cars
and the trucks. We got remote control cars, monster trucks.
We got a soccer ball. We got a soccer net,
we got a water gun set and a bunch of
(10:56):
nerf gun Four year olds love stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Oh we've got that, So we hope that they enjoy that.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Next time the boys need haircuts, we got forty dollars
in Great Clips gift cards you can use the next
time they need a haircuts. Thanks everybody a Great Clips
for their generous donation. And then for you, you're doing a
lot of traveling. You live in Zimmerman, right, yeah, and
you have to drive into Minneapolis to the hospital and
the different clinics and the different appointments. So I love
(11:26):
that Holiday Station Stores did this one. They're going to
give you the Gift of Gallons. That is a one
thousand dollars gas gift card. One thousand dollars that'll help
you make a lot of trips back and forth, because
that's one of the things that people don't think about
when there's medical issues, a lot of trips, a lot
of appointments. Christmas Wish proudly presented. We're so proud to
(11:49):
have them as a partner at Holiday Station Stores. Remember,
for every fuel purchase now through tomorrow, they're donating a portion.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Of sales to Christmas Wish.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Broadway Pizza is throwing in one hundred dollars gift card
when you get a chance to go out to Broadway Pizza. Now,
this is an interesting one. This showed up and it's
an interesting one. It's Christmas inflatables. It's an inflatable Sanna
in a chimney and an led do drop tenseil snowman.
I'm not sure how that got thrown in there, but.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
The kids likes them.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
I think the Oh, I love that.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Their next dot us to get a blow up for
is that right there?
Speaker 2 (12:25):
You go.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
Their next door neighbor has a whole bunch of them
in their yard.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
And I was with Wilson and he pointed one out,
and when we got home, he said, everybody else has one,
but we don't have one.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
Now, Wilson's gonna be happy with you. Do you enjoy
your coffee, Erica? We had a two hundred dollars okay, well,
we got coffee for a while, two hundred dollars Cariboo
gift card.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Do you have pets in the house too? Are there pets?
Speaker 6 (12:50):
We have one dog?
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Okay?
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Well, the dog is gifted also with a two hundred
dollars pet Smart gift card and that'll take care of
I mean everything, food and chew toys and callungs and
all that stuff we've got for things around the house
and things you need. A one thousand dollars Home Depot
gift card. And somebody said that eventually you want to
take a trip to Disney. Is that rumor true?
Speaker 5 (13:13):
Yeah? When Jack was born, I made him a promise.
Speaker 6 (13:16):
That when he was through all of his surgeries and
well enough that I wanted to bring him to Disney World.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Well, we got a thousand dollars Disney gift card that
you can spend in Disney on whatever you want when
you make that trip, and I hope it's soon. And
then the rumor has it also Laurie said that you
might be able to use a new washer and dryer.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Is this true?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Yeah, Yeah, we don't have the best system down there.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
We've reached out to our good friends at Warner Stellion
and they're going to give you a large capacity washer
and dryer to save you a whole bunch of times.
So here comes a washer and dryer for you and
your family for part of Christmas wish, and a huge
shout out to Julie and everybody at Warner Stallion for
an amazing donation. They've been a partner of Kati w
B and iHeart Minneapolis for many years and we're so
(14:13):
grateful for their business and their donation to Christmas Wish.
And we'll get you connected to Julie to pick up
your pick out your new appliances and they will take
care of the delivery and the setup and all that
so you and Josh don't have to worry about it.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
So there's some things just to you know.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
The biggest thing I think we want for you is
to just continued progress for your little guy and and
you know, to help you just know that you're loved
and supported by so many people, because this is a
challenging road and there's there's more of the road to
travel and we just wanted to feel give you some
(14:49):
joy and support with Christmas Wish.
Speaker 5 (14:52):
Okay, okay, oh my gosh, I'm speechless.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Well, we're happy to do this for you. And thanks
to your mom Laurie for helping us learn about your
family and we wish you and your family nothing but
the best for Christmas.
Speaker 5 (15:08):
Thank you, Thank you mom, Thank you so much. Yeah,
thank you for everybody who's doing it. And this isn't
included in that long list you just gave us.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Well, you're so welcome.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
And I think one of the things is that you
know everybody who's a parent, I just want you to
sit for a second and just think about how blessed
you are that you're brought home a perfectly, happy, healthy baby.
That is, yes, they are a challenge to take care of,
but if they're happy and healthy and you know, everything's great,
(15:44):
then think about how blessed you are. And I think
that's one of the things about Christmas Wish is we
forget how fortunate we are because we find something to
complain about, and when it turns out, we have very
little to complain about, and you don't complain. Mom says,
you don't complain, you're exhausted, but you still don't.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
I'm playing Oh yeah, yeah, maybe here in there, yeah,
maybe here and there.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Hey, there's a guy at your front door. His name
is Brandon, and he's going to bring in most of
the presents that we have for you for Christmas Wish,
and anything else will be delivered.
Speaker 6 (16:14):
Okay, oh okay, thank you, Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
I'll let you too, say goodbye.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Have a good day kid. I'll drop your laundry out tonight.
Speaker 5 (16:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Christmas Wish is presented by Holiday Station stores, like I said,
for every fuel purchase through tomorrow. So if you got
to get gas, there's a gas station over here, and
there's a holiday over here, go to Holiday because they're
supporting a Christmas Wish. Of course, Treasure Island Resort and
Casino one of our big presenting sponsors. They fork out
a lot of support for this for Christmas Wish.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
And thanks to the.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Prairie Island Indian community for support for fifteen or more
years and they've been such a great partner. Youth Link
is our charity partner, and Choice Bank is our banking partner,
and of course College Muscle Movers.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
Thank you, Laurie, oh, thank you, thank you so very much.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
You are welcome and that is Christmas Wish.
Believe in Themagice of the Hubways. Dave Ryan's Christmas Wish.
Good morning, Laurie, Good morning. How long you've been listening
to katiewb Lorie? Oh years years since you were a
little kid and called in to request Madonna.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Probably when my daughter was in high school. Okay, so
fifteen seventeen plus years ago.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Okay, gotcha, Thank you for doing a Christmas wish.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You are doing a Christmas wish for my.
Speaker 4 (00:25):
Daughter and her husband.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (00:27):
They have a child that was born with many health issues.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
And so I talked to you. We talked last week.
We did and we talked.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
I mean the challenges that they've come across have really
been pretty incredible, I mean, very very difficult challenges. And
we want to help out with a Christmas wish and
some of the things that you think they might need
that might bring a little joy to their holiday. To
deliver the Christmas wish is our friend Brandon from college
(00:55):
Muscle Movers. Brandon, Good morning, good morning, Thanks for getting
up early. Brandon. What part of town are you in
right now? We're in Zimmerman.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Whoah, Zimmerman.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Okay, didn't we do another one in Zimmerman?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Not too long we did want in beer, which is
kind of up that that way too.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Okay, well, Brandon, thanks for helping out. Brandon is our
safety net if they do not answer the phone. And
then Brandon also brings in all of the things that
we are bringing to this family. Brandon, stand by and
we'll let you know if we need you. Okay, Oh good,
and thanks. Thanks for all you guys do. College muscle movers.
I always want to give them a plug if you
were thinking about moving. They give you fifteen free muscle
(01:31):
boxes and an on time guarantee with every move that
they do. We're gonna call Erica right now. Erica is
your daughter's my daughter? Okay, that's called Erica right now.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
So what did you tell Erica this morning to try
to convince her to answer a random phone call?
Speaker 4 (01:49):
She thinks that I'm delivering laundry that I had done
for her.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Okay, that's a good way to put it.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
Also super nice. I'd love it if someone did my laundry, honestly.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Yeah, is that your Christmas wish?
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (02:01):
Okay, Oh, this is Hi.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
I'm looking for Erica please.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Uh, yes, she is upstairs with one of the kids.
Speaker 6 (02:21):
Uh, can you give me a second.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah for sure. Yeah, okay, thank you. Okay, I think
you might have an idea what's going on here? But
that's her husband.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
That's her husband, Josh. But he's really gone, Josh.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Okay, Josh, are you still there? Oh he set the phone. Yeah,
he's running it ran upstairs.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Sometimes people find out and it's not the end of
the world. If people find out about Christmas wish.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
I think Josh thinks you're the laundry guy.
Speaker 6 (02:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Yeah, they probably think it's a doctor's office.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Hi. Is this Erica? This is Erica.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
The story about the laundry being delivered that was all
a ruse, a ruse. This is actually Dave Ryan on
the radio over at KATIBGB. I'm sitting here with your
mom right now.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Hi Mom, Hi kiddo.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Would you have any idea why we're calling this morning? Erica?
Speaker 5 (03:14):
Well, i've heard your radio station before.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Yeah, so you know that we're probably calling with a
KATIEWB Christmas wish, and you would be right. Your mom
wrote in about your two little ones, and she wrote
us that three little ones, three little ones, and she
is going to read the letter right now. Erica, have
you got a minute.
Speaker 6 (03:37):
Yeah, okay.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Mom.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Our daughter, Erica and her husband had twin boys a
year ago in April. Elliott was born at five pounds
three ounces. Besides being premature, he was healthy. Jack was
born at two pounds eight ounces with several health issues.
He had field growth restriction and was also born with
a rare condition called ohei yes is Intestine's liver and
bladder were on the outside of his body. He has
(04:01):
spina bifida and his lower organs did not completely develop.
At five days old, he had his first surgery to
put his liver and intestines back in his body. He
is our little miracle. After four months in the NICU,
he was able to go home. Erica has taken unpaid
leave from her position to care for him. Her husband's
medical did not cover Erica's m mass medication. It was
(04:23):
more economical for her to take Cobra for the coverage.
This year in twenty twenty four. It has been a
high monthly expense for them, especially since she has not
been able to work very much this year. Jack has
been in the hospital for approximately fourteen weeks and has
had four major surgeries, one being very major, including five surgeons.
(04:44):
Having two other children at home to care for. She
missed visiting Jack only a couple of the days over
the fourteen weeks. They live approximately an hour away from
the hospital. It has been a lot of driving. Jack
has regular visits with neurology, urology, primary pediatrician, physical therapy,
feeding therapy, GI doctor and dietitian, orthopedic for his club
(05:06):
feet and ampho braces, and other specialty appointments. He had
seen palmonology and he had worn a helmet. They have
many weekly appointments. Jack has an illyostomy bag, a G
tube that bypasses his stomach and goes directly into his intestine.
He does not eat anything by mouth. He is on
a continuous twenty four hour feed. He has a second
(05:26):
G tube for his bladder, a tube for his stomach
that relieves stomach acid, and he wears affo braces. He
has had infections and rashes on his skin from linking
tubes until his major surgery. His bladder, being on the
outside of his body, also had to be cared for.
Erica is an amazing caregiver. She is exhausted and never complaints.
(05:48):
They are wonderful parents in this situation that they're in
Erica's husband is a police officer and he volunteers with LIMA,
which means he volunteers his services for fallen officers funerals.
I'm asking for them to be blessed with things that
are time saving and make things more convenient for Erica.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Thank you to Katie W.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
B and the wonderful staff for making Dave Ryan's Christmas
which is possible, to the business and individuals that support this,
and thank you for choosing their family.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Four months in the.
Speaker 6 (06:22):
Nick you right, yeah about.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
That when you had your twins, did was there any
indication that there would be health issues?
Speaker 6 (06:35):
Yeah, we found out pretty early on, for probably about
twelve twelve weeks is when we first got the indication
that's something was wrong.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
And I think it's one of those things where nearly
everyone listening who has kids the experiences pretty you know
what to expect. You have a kid, if you have
a C section, you're in for a day or two.
After you bring your child home, you put them in
the little you do the feedings, and it's all kind
of routine. And you'd had another child before. How old
(07:05):
is your oldest one? He's four, He's four, And that's Wilson,
what a great name, and then Jack was Elliott was fine,
and Jack was I mean two pounds and eight ounces.
That's so tiny, just such a tiny little baby with
all of the health issues and surgery, serious major surgery
(07:27):
with five surgeons.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Did you say, the last major surgery.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
And the one major surgery to put his organs and
intestines back inside his body.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
But yeah, there's a lot of repair to his organs.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
And he's home now, yep. Yeah, And how is he doing.
Speaker 6 (07:49):
He's doing all right. He's working hard, physical therapy and
all of his appointments to catch up.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
I'm pretty sure I saw a picture. You sent me
a picture, didn't you, Laurie. Yeah, is of smile. He's
a big smiles all the time.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
He's a big smile. Or he's a happy boy.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
He's pretty happy.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Well, we know there's a lot of challenges ahead with
the insurance and medical costs. And you're not working right
now because you're home taking care of little Jack. Yeah,
and not just Dak, but also his brother Elliott and
Wilson as well. And I think sometimes people forget when
there's a sick child, the other children still need that
(08:26):
love and attention.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Tell me a little bit about Elliott.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
He's so funny, He's in everything. He's really really smart.
I mean we can tell him to throw his diaper
away and he goes right to the garbage cancer away.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Is such a sweet age.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
About a year old, then nineteen months okay, and.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Then tell me about Wilson too. He's four.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Yeah, he is in preay school and he's into race cars,
cars and even cars racing.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
He's very social, very social.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Well, we wanted to make your Christmas a little bit
easier with some things for the kids, and things for
you and for your husband also, Josh. So let's start
off with little Jack, Jack, who's had such a tough
road and continues to have many challenges. We got just
some fun, cool things. We've got a four hundred dollars
(09:28):
gift card to Spoony Threads.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Now, what is that?
Speaker 3 (09:30):
This is a site that features adaptive clothing and accessories
for individuals with an illness that requires it. I'm not
sure if you've heard of it, but we found that
the four hundred dollars gift card. We've got two copper
pearl three layer blankets and some other cool stuff that
are arriving from Amazon. We got Spidery and Friends, spider
Man's smartphone, a leap Frog one hundred Animal's book, Melissa
(09:54):
and Doug seventeen piece wouldn't take, a long tabletop farm
and four farm vehicle, some stuff all arriving from Amazon.
For Jack and for twin brother Elliott. We've got a
Shark Squish Mellow just some fun stuff, Disney Junior, Lego,
iron Man, Monster Jam RC, a remote control truck, some clothes,
(10:15):
a leap Frog Learning Friends book, and a bunch of
diapers for both of the boys. A matter of fact,
four cases of diapers and wipes.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
So Jack's wearing three diapers right now at a time,
is that right?
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Three?
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Yes, We're one around the tube, one to protect the skin, yeah,
and then one that the bladder go was directed into.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
So he wears three. Blighter.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
You were talking about Lori, about the challenge of like
the leaking tubes, and it's like that caused a rash
and skin irritation, and this is just something that you'd
never think of, Just another thing that you have to
keep an eye on. For Wilson, he's into the cars
and the trucks. We got remote control cars, monster trucks.
We got a soccer ball. We got a soccer net,
we got a water gun set and a bunch of
(10:56):
nerf gun Four year olds love stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Oh we've got that, So we hope that they enjoy that.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Next time the boys need haircuts, we got forty dollars
in Great Clips gift cards you can use the next
time they need a haircuts. Thanks everybody a Great Clips
for their generous donation. And then for you, you're doing a
lot of traveling. You live in Zimmerman, right, yeah, and
you have to drive into Minneapolis to the hospital and
the different clinics and the different appointments. So I love
(11:26):
that Holiday Station Stores did this one. They're going to
give you the Gift of Gallons. That is a one
thousand dollars gas gift card. One thousand dollars that'll help
you make a lot of trips back and forth, because
that's one of the things that people don't think about
when there's medical issues, a lot of trips, a lot
of appointments. Christmas Wish proudly presented. We're so proud to
(11:49):
have them as a partner at Holiday Station Stores. Remember,
for every fuel purchase now through tomorrow, they're donating a portion.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Of sales to Christmas Wish.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Broadway Pizza is throwing in one hundred dollars gift card
when you get a chance to go out to Broadway Pizza. Now,
this is an interesting one. This showed up and it's
an interesting one. It's Christmas inflatables. It's an inflatable Sanna
in a chimney and an led do drop tenseil snowman.
I'm not sure how that got thrown in there, but.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
The kids likes them.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
I think the Oh, I love that.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Their next dot us to get a blow up for
is that right there?
Speaker 2 (12:25):
You go.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
Their next door neighbor has a whole bunch of them
in their yard.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
And I was with Wilson and he pointed one out,
and when we got home, he said, everybody else has one,
but we don't have one.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
Now, Wilson's gonna be happy with you. Do you enjoy
your coffee, Erica? We had a two hundred dollars okay, well,
we got coffee for a while, two hundred dollars Cariboo
gift card.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Do you have pets in the house too? Are there pets?
Speaker 6 (12:50):
We have one dog?
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Okay?
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Well, the dog is gifted also with a two hundred
dollars pet Smart gift card and that'll take care of
I mean everything, food and chew toys and callungs and
all that stuff we've got for things around the house
and things you need. A one thousand dollars Home Depot
gift card. And somebody said that eventually you want to
take a trip to Disney. Is that rumor true?
Speaker 5 (13:13):
Yeah? When Jack was born, I made him a promise.
Speaker 6 (13:16):
That when he was through all of his surgeries and
well enough that I wanted to bring him to Disney World.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Well, we got a thousand dollars Disney gift card that
you can spend in Disney on whatever you want when
you make that trip, and I hope it's soon. And
then the rumor has it also Laurie said that you
might be able to use a new washer and dryer.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Is this true?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Yeah, Yeah, we don't have the best system down there.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
We've reached out to our good friends at Warner Stellion
and they're going to give you a large capacity washer
and dryer to save you a whole bunch of times.
So here comes a washer and dryer for you and
your family for part of Christmas wish, and a huge
shout out to Julie and everybody at Warner Stallion for
an amazing donation. They've been a partner of Kati w
B and iHeart Minneapolis for many years and we're so
(14:13):
grateful for their business and their donation to Christmas Wish.
And we'll get you connected to Julie to pick up
your pick out your new appliances and they will take
care of the delivery and the setup and all that
so you and Josh don't have to worry about it.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
So there's some things just to you know.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
The biggest thing I think we want for you is
to just continued progress for your little guy and and
you know, to help you just know that you're loved
and supported by so many people, because this is a
challenging road and there's there's more of the road to
travel and we just wanted to feel give you some
(14:49):
joy and support with Christmas Wish.
Speaker 5 (14:52):
Okay, okay, oh my gosh, I'm speechless.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Well, we're happy to do this for you. And thanks
to your mom Laurie for helping us learn about your
family and we wish you and your family nothing but
the best for Christmas.
Speaker 5 (15:08):
Thank you, Thank you mom, Thank you so much. Yeah,
thank you for everybody who's doing it. And this isn't
included in that long list you just gave us.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Well, you're so welcome.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
And I think one of the things is that you
know everybody who's a parent, I just want you to
sit for a second and just think about how blessed
you are that you're brought home a perfectly, happy, healthy baby.
That is, yes, they are a challenge to take care of,
but if they're happy and healthy and you know, everything's great,
(15:44):
then think about how blessed you are. And I think
that's one of the things about Christmas Wish is we
forget how fortunate we are because we find something to
complain about, and when it turns out, we have very
little to complain about, and you don't complain. Mom says,
you don't complain, you're exhausted, but you still don't.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
I'm playing Oh yeah, yeah, maybe here in there, yeah,
maybe here and there.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Hey, there's a guy at your front door. His name
is Brandon, and he's going to bring in most of
the presents that we have for you for Christmas Wish,
and anything else will be delivered.
Speaker 6 (16:14):
Okay, oh okay, thank you, Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
I'll let you too, say goodbye.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Have a good day kid. I'll drop your laundry out tonight.
Speaker 5 (16:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Christmas Wish is presented by Holiday Station stores, like I said,
for every fuel purchase through tomorrow. So if you got
to get gas, there's a gas station over here, and
there's a holiday over here, go to Holiday because they're
supporting a Christmas Wish. Of course, Treasure Island Resort and
Casino one of our big presenting sponsors. They fork out
a lot of support for this for Christmas Wish.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
And thanks to the.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Prairie Island Indian community for support for fifteen or more
years and they've been such a great partner. Youth Link
is our charity partner, and Choice Bank is our banking partner,
and of course College Muscle Movers.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
Thank you, Laurie, oh, thank you, thank you so very much.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
You are welcome and that is Christmas Wish.
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