North Pole Bound...

Last year, just after diagnosis, we were told about an event that United Airlines does every year called the Fantasy Flight. It is a Flight to the "North Pole" for children who are battling a life threatening disease. Obviously, we were not doing anything at this time last year, as we were in the hospital for our longest stay. This year, we were excited to learn that The Fantasy Flight was on a weekend that we were home and that there was still space to attend.
The flight was yesterday and wow, what a day it was!!
We didn't know much as we arrived at SFO United ticket counter at about 9:30am. The ticket area was decked out with tons of decorations and lots of amazing staff. We waiting in line and got our boarding passes. Sofia was then ushered to a special check in area where Build A Bear presented her a Santa Hat, a Poppy doll for her (which was a total hit) and a little bear for her brother.
Next it was time to go through security. Just like a regular flight, boarding passes, ID's, shoes off, bags on the belt, security. We made our way to Gate 82 and the party started! The gate was completely decorated with everything you could imagine. In addition to the staff there were cheerleaders, mascots, former Olympians, Pro- Athletes, a School Choir, face painters, and lots of precious service dogs. It was so funny to watch the faces of all the travels in the airport as they were walking by.
We boarded our flight and went to our assigned seats aboard a HUGE plane. One of the two story, going to Europe, planes. The plane was just as decorated as the gate! Every window, every isle, every seat. And just like a regular flight out of SFO, we had to wait forever in line to take off. Once we were in the air for a bit the Captain came on the speaker and told us that he just got word that the weather is too bad to land in. He assured everyone that he had contacted Santa's people and they decided Santa would meet us. He was going to land his sleigh on the plane while we were flying and come in through the roof! Sofia's face was so funny! She couldn't believe he was going to land on our plane!!
Santa landed and made his way down the stairs and it was magical. The kids were so excited! The school choir was walking around singing, the mascots and atheletes were walking around taking pictures and Santa and his wife we visiting everyone in their seats. We joined the party and got up to walk around a bit, letting the kids try out business and first. Than one of the flight attendants took us upstairs so Sofia could go into the cockpit, while we were flying! She sat in the chair and looked at that amazing view!! We ended up flying around the Bay Area for about an hour before we got ready to land.
As we exited the plane we were again greeted by cheers and music. Sofia was given more gifts and we ended by taking a family photo with Santa.
It was easily the most fun Sofia has had since her diagnosis. When you combine the Magic of Christmas with the overwhelming kindness of others you get a truly Magical experience. I can't thank Untied Airlines enough!!

Sofia has been back on her chemo for just over two weeks, so we are praying hard that her counts have stayed up. We check into the hospital very early tomorrow for Sofia's Lumbar Puncture and Chemo. We will gets our labs back and are planning on seeing great counts. We will then head home and finish packing for our Tuesday morning flight to Hawaii!! I know we will have lots of prayers coming our way and for that we Thank You!!! #teamsofia