Wesley Theodore Foundation

Fun little fact about Dr. Thomas his full name was Vivien Theodore Thomas. We didn’t know our boys would be born with ToF or that we coincidentally named both of them after one of the Doctors who would help extend/save their lives. I still smile at the fact that both Wesley Theodore and William Thomas are so beautifully connected to the brave men and women who skillfully make a way so others may live. That’s a pretty cool legacy if you ask me. It 🤍💙

Thankfulness is easy when everything is going your way. When tomorrow holds all of the possibilities. It’s a lot harder when you feel like you are at rock bottom or have recently hit it.

Today marks the first major holiday where we are without our Sweet Wesley. I can remember everything from that first and only Thanksgiving we had with him.

We were so excited. We had been at Vanderbilt, away from our support system and the hospital was still under strict Covid protocols. Only Matt and I were allowed to see the boys. However, the hospital had allowed for Thanksgiving day only for each baby in the NICU to have two guests outside of the parents. Grandparents could look but not touch and yes, masks were required at all times.

Both boys were battling NEC at the time and were not being fed. William had just had his first heart cath and Wesley was working on getting bigger. Although he was still considered the “big twin” at that point.

Those four hours with our family were more valuable than we could have ever put into words. We were tired and were still recovering from a c-section. Plus, we were bouncing around from hotel to hotel cashing in every hotel point and flyer mile we had.

We ate at a Cracker Barrel in Nashville and said goodbye to our parents and just like that it was over.

We are so thankful for our family. They always show up for us. Even if it is just for a few hours.

I am also thankful that we got to celebrate Thanksgiving as a family together. We have a first Thanksgiving to look back on. Even if my mom heart hurts a little more when I think about the fact that he never got a Thanksgiving meal.

But it also gives me tremendous gratitude for the doctors, nurses, and staff who sacrifice their own family time to serve others. They show up even to take care of sweet little sick babies every single shift, regardless of what day it is.

So while we are sad about what could have, should have been. We are so thankful that it happened. For our family and the care teams and for your constant prayer that made every day we did have possible.

Because you don’t have true thankfulness until it’s tested.

We love you Wesley and we will see you again soon.

Happy Thanksgiving.