All is well

Just wanted to let everyone know that Kolton did a great job during sugery.  Everything went well.  We will see the doctor next week for a post-operative appointment.  The next stage of this process will take place in 5-6 months.  Yea!!!

The Big Day Is Near...

I can't believe that tomorrow is Kolton's surgery.  We have waited for this for so long, it's hard to believe it's finally here.  We are so thankful to everyone that helped us raise money for Kolton, so he can get what he needs!

He went today to get a haircut to prepare for the surgery.  He wasn't too excited, but I think it looks cute!  He continues to be very nervous about the surgery.  He says he just wants to keep his old hearing aid.  I think once this is all said and done he will appreciate his new hearing aid.  It's just very scary right now. 

Thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts during this time.  We will keep you posted. 

An Amazing Day!

It feels like forever since I have updated the blog.  Sorry!  We have been so busy helping with the golf benefit and auction that there hasn't been time, or energy. 

So, here is the latest.  The golf benefit and auction raised over $10,000.  I know....UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!  This is certainly way more than we ever anticipated.  I'm still at a loss of words as to how to express our appreciation to everyone.  We are truly overwhelmed with the support that we received.  Our family had such a great time on Saturday!  It was such a heartwarming feeling to see everyone support Kolton and our family.  I could only wish that every child in need of medical care could receive the support that we have. 

I know I said it on Saturday, but I'm going to say it again.  Thank you to Terry Stovall and Jerry Reif for coming up with this wild idea!  What a huge success!  Also, thank you to all of the volunteers that helped get donations, the "pink ladies" for all of your hard work and for everyone that came out to support us!  It is such an honor to have friends and family that are so caring!

With the money that we raised on Saturday, we have exceeded our goal!  The additional money will be used to pay for Kolton's future medical needs.  What a relief!!!

Kolton's first surgery will be on July 12th.  He will have this surgery at BoysTown Hospital in Omaha.  If all goes well, then he will be home that same day.  Kolton will need 2-3 days to recuperate.  The second stage will happen about 5-6 months after the first surgery. 

I will try my best to keep everyone posted after his surgery.  We will also try to post some pictures from Saturday.  Once again, thank you for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See You Tonight!

Tonight is Taco John's night at the 84th and Leighton location.  25% of the proceeds will go to Kolton's surgery fund, if you have a coupon or mention this designation. 

Also, let me know if you want to sign up for the golf outing.  The deadline to sign up is May 13th. 

Thanks!!!!!!!

Great Excuse Not to Cook!

Next Monday, May 2, Taco John's at 84th and Leighton will be hosting another event for Kolton.  They will be donating a percentage of the profits to Kolton.  Thanks, Taco John's!  I hope to see everyone there!

Friends of Man....Friends of Mine

David Altman, Laura's husband, hooked us up with a scholarship opportunity through a group called Friends of Man.  Well, we received a letter from them today.  They are willing to help us with Kolton's surgery, to the tune of $4,700.  We were completely surprised and so thankful for everyone that has helped us through this endeavor.

Picture from Pack/Troop 64

Drumroll please.......................................................!!!!!!!!

Well, the new grand total is...................................$12,236!

Duncan's bake sale brought in over $2,900.  Who would've thought that a bake sale could bring in that much money?  Thanks to everyone who helped out with the bake sale and for those that supported it!

Thursday night we were invited to attend a pack meeting for Cub Scout Pack 64 in Hickman.  The Cub Scouts donated $500 and the Boy Scout Troop matched their donation.  An anonymous person came up after the meeting and donated $100.  It was very thoughtful and a great surprise!

We are well on our way for the golf benefit.  There will be lots of great prizes and a good time for everyone!  Remember to get signed up, so you can have a reserved spot!

Thanks!

Many thanks to the Prescott staff that donated to Kolton's surgery fund.  Your support is greatly appreciated!

Many Thanks!

We just want to give a huge shout out for everyone that has been working so hard on the golf outing and auction the last few weeks!  Brian's friends at work have done a great job creating the posters, finding sponsors and getting donations.  My mom and sister spent all day today going door-to-door to businesses to ask for support.  While they were turned away from many, we are very excited about the amount of donations they received.  Wanda has also brought in several donations for the raffle and auction.

Way to go, Team Kolton!!!!!

Surprise!

We got an e-mail today that said we were accepted for one of our scholarships.  Yee-ha!  This scholarship will pay for Kolton's device, which is about $4,000.  We can't believe it.  Keep watching, as things seem to change rather quickly around here.

Meeting of the Minds

We had a productive afternoon planning for the golf outing and auction.  Thanks to Terry, Jerry, Wanda, Gary, Cheryl and Amy for joining us.  We came up with some great ideas.  Let the fun begin!  I can't wait for June 4th!

Check it out!

 Check out this handsome golfer!

Golfing and Good Times!

Who is ready to go golfing?  Brian's friends are planning a golf fundraiser for Saturday, June 4.  It will be held at Pioneers Golf Course.  The outing will be a 4-person scramble, with great prizes.

For those of you that don't golf, don't worry, we'll still have fun.  We will be having a lunch and auction after the golf outing.  We are working on getting autographed Husker items, autographed NFL items, concert tickets, jewelry and much more! 

We are very excited and thankful for all of this support.  It should be a great event!  I will put out more information about registration, etc. as soon as I know.  Can't wait to see everyone there!

This warms my heart!

Today, Kolton made a new friend.  A very special friend.  A student in Ms. Smith's class heard about Kolton's story and his need for surgeries and felt compelled to help out.  His mom said that he got a piggy bank for Christmas and has been filling it ever since.  Well, Juwlien decided that he could help Kolton out by giving him his piggy bank with all of his change.  Juwlien even wanted to hand deliver the money to Kolton. 

So, after school today, Kolton met Juwlien for the very first time.  Juwlien walked into the office, standing tall and proud, with his bag full of money.  He took the change out of the bank, so Kolton could count the money before he put it back in the piggy bank.  When Juwlien gave Kolton his gift, Kole was thrilled. 

Of course, I sat back and cried.  It's unbelievable to me that an 8-year-old boy would be willing to give away his piggy bank and all of his money to a little boy he has never met.  We are so thankful and proud of Juwlien. 

Juwlien's family also wrote a nice card with a generous donation to support Kolton.  Words can't express the gratitude that we feel for Juwlien and his family.  This is truly a moment that has forever changed all of our lives.

How can we thank you enough?

Wow!  What an overwhelming turnout!  We are so appreciative for everyone that came out to support Kolton.  We can't thank Kim, Dan and Matt enough for putting this event together.  The Taco John's staff
(84th and Leighton) was wonderful and the food was great!

After we left Taco John's, we reflected on the evening as a family.  There are so many emotions that we are all feeling right now...happy, grateful, appreciative.  Kolton made a comment tonight that summed it all up.  He started to cry and said, "I can't believe so many people care about me."  Sometimes, things are better said from a 9-year-old's perspective.  I couldn't have said it better myself.  Thanks, again, for everyone's support!

Big Day!

Well, today is the big day!  Kolton is very excited!  We are hoping for a huge turnout at Taco John's tonight.  Can't wait to see everyone.

Taco John's Tomorrow

We are so excited about going to Taco John's tomorrow!  We are planning on being there around 4:45 and staying for a while to meet and greet.  Thanks to Kim, Dan and Matt for all of their hard work putting all of this together.  We are truly appreciative!  Hopefully we'll see you at Taco John's tomorrow night-  84th and Leighton.

Hello, friends!

Wow!  I never thought that I would actually create a blog to raise money for Kolton.  Thanks to Melissa G, I think I've got the hang of it! 

Some of you may know that Kolton was born with a very rare syndrome, called Nager's.  There are only approximately 200 people in the world that have been diagnosed with Nager's.  Kolton's syndrome has brought some difficulties to his life.  He has skeletal issues in his hands, he has a compromised airway, he has utilized a feeding tube and has moderate/severe conductive hearing loss.  Kolton has gone through about 8 surgeries so far.  Our family has always said that we would seek out the "best of the best" doctors and surgeons for Kolton.  We have been able to provide him with everything that he needs medically, up to this point.  

Kolton is in need of a BAHA, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid.  This process requires two surgeries where doctors surgically implant the aid into his skull.  When we first started inquiring about the surgeries, we were quoted a price of approximately $64,000.  Our private insurance has denied us twice to cover any of the surgeries.  At this time, the hospital has brought down their quote to approximately $50,000.  Boys Town National Hospital has graciously reduced the cost of surgery by 60%, which leaves us with approximately $20,000 plus the cost of the aid ($4,000).

It is a truly overwhelming feeling to not be able to provide what your child needs medically.  We have completed several scholarship forms from various foundations.  We have been denied by one, so far.  We continue to hold out hope on the others.

Kolton's cub scout pack donated about $200 to start our fundraising efforts.  My wonderful friends, Callie and Jenny, have helped raise $1700 from the staff at McPhee.  Another friend, Kim, and her fiance' have agreed to host a benefit at Taco John's.  That is happening this Wednesday and I can't wait! 

Our family is truly appreciative of all of the support that we have received thus far.  We know that we have a long way to go, but continue to have hope that we will raise the money.