Happy Birthday

I wasn't quite sure how I would celebrate my birthday in the hospital without a restaurant to go to family and friends. Ironically, I think I had one of the best birthday celebrations, to date, as I turned 34 yesterday in the hospital. My nurses and friends decorated my room with streamers, balloons and banners along with my iv pole, too. 12 mylar balloons, 5 banners and one handmade banner by Natalie, plus cute plush flowers that twist themselves around anything in the room, made for a very festive suite on the 10th floor.
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This set the stage for a daylong birthday celebration. My mom, dad and son came up and, soon after, it seemed to be a steady stream of well wishes and familiar faces who all drove to downtown Detroit just to see me on my birthday. Mike and Emily, from Doner (the ad agency I used to work for), showed up with my all time favorite burger, the Redoat Tavern's Piedmontese burger with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and avocado. DELICIOUS! To boot, Dan and Ann Marie West and their daughter, Samantha, showed up with a box of Astoria pastries from the Astoria Pastry Shop on Main in Royal Oak. The box was packed with an assortment of gourmet cupcakes and chocolate cookies. Thanks to these yummies, my appetite came back for a minute and my stomach seemed to be happy for the first time in a while.

My nurses had to take out the fold out bed from my room and replaced it with more chairs to accommodate all of my visitors that day. One of the many people that stopped by was Mr. Nick Karmamos. My family, including myself, commended him on the wonderful staff that they have on hand. He was thrilled, as he should be, to have good people working for him. We took a picture, which I will post at the end of this post, and he was off and I was too, to visit with more friends who showed up to my room.

All of the staff nurses were even allowed to wear their Tigers shirts in honor of my birthday! I was excited to see everyone looking like we were all going to the game together; maybe someday! At least we all matched the décor of my room! More importantly, we all matched in spirit, and that is in love, hope, and faith. I believe in them and they have hope in me to push through this time. I have truly become close with the nurses here on the 10th floor love them so much.

In regards to gifts, I got a HUGE gift, one that I have been blowing out many candles for; a bone marrow match. Well this year my wish came true! I also received sentimental, heart felt gifts, fun gifts, a ton of Godiva Chocolates, cakes, cookies and an edible arrangement. I got clothes, books, and extra special hot chocolate straight from Paris, France! I CANNOT wait to have this treat and CHEERS with RJ King!

So many visitors all throughout the day and so many people I am thankful for, what a perfect birthday. It was just wonderful on so many levels, but most of all, it began waking up knowing that I will finally be given a second chance at life and THAT is a gift of a lifetime.

Day +14

Tara and Nick Karmanos