Please help me figure out what to do......my little 8 year old girl has been sick and 2 days ago she was admitted to the hospital. She was just diagnosed with Devic's disease a week ago and she has suddenly had a huge attack that has affected both of her eyes and her legs. She was perfectly healthy. a normal 8 year old girl when this wedding was booked in January. Now we are fighting for her life. We are trying to get her transferred into Mayo Clinic this week and she definitely won't be done with treatment for awhile. I have spent every moment with her in the hospital and I can't imagine leaving her to work on a cake for 3 days, let alone trying to arrange a trip to Mayo and making a cake. Everyday here in the hospital has been absolutely heartbreaking because she has been in a terrible amount of pain. The wedding is July 17th and its so close to the date that I am scared she won't be able to find someone else, ( and at only $2.00/serving). I will absolutely refund her all of her money and try to make phone calls to other bakeries tomorrow when I get a chance......is this enough? I know I will be ruining a brides day, but I really see no way around this. Two days ago when we were admitted I was still hoping that we would get out of the hospital by this weekend, and I could do this cake, but everything changed today when we got a MRI and found out that my daughter has extensive lesions on her brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. This is when we decided we needed to get to Mayo Clinic because she has taken a turn for the worse.

If the bride doesn't "understand", then it's her problem. Your daughter and her treatment comes first.

Where are you located? If you put out a call here on CC, you may find someone in the area that can help.

Also, sign up for t h e b a k e r s b a r. com (eliminate spaces) and ask there.

HTH
Rae

We are in Rockford Il. The cake is pretty big....300 servings. It's fondant with the damask stencil design. I bought a Designer stencil and molds to make gumpaste brooches on it. If I can find someone else to make it I would definitely let them use these things.

I am very sorry to hear about your daughter. I can't even imagine how difficult and scary this must be for all of you. I hope the Mayo clinic is able to help her. Please keep us updated.

I agree with Rae about the cake. If you let us know where you are, maybe someone here could help. I looked at your pics and I don't have your level of talent, but many here do.

Good luck.

I think you just need to call the bride and tell her what is going on asap. If my daughter was that sick, I would not even focus on anything but her.

You need to just be with you daughter, and the bride will manage. Her wedding will still go on, with or without a cake.

Best of luck, I hope she get better soon!!

$2 a serving? Wow, why so low, your cakes are nice? I hope your daughter gets better soon, so sorry that is happening. It might be tough to find a replacement baker at $2 a serving, you may want to consider asking the bride to reduce the tiered cake size down to 100 and serve back up sheet cake which would be easier to find someone to do.

I'm sorry to hear about all that your family has been going through. Will keep you and yours in my prayers.

Darling your baby come's first and you know that. I wish you and her the best of luck and will pray for your family to get thru this.

If I lived closer I would gladly do this for you, but I live in Canada.....post the CC members and someone will come to the rescue. I'm in agreement with BlakesCakes, the bride will have a wedding regardless of cake or no cake.

Your daughter comes first! The bride's day will not be ruined and it doesm't help anytone that your mental and emotional reserves are being eaten up by this cake! Save your energies for your daughter (and yourself!) call the bride ASAP and tell her simply that your daughter is hospitalized and you are unavailable. LET HER FIND ANOTHER DECORATOR! This didn't happen due to any irresponsibility on your part. Now you can move on and I hope your daughter has a quick, smooth and easy recovery.

Oh, hon, I'm praying for you and your family.

Thank you so much everyone.....I am at the lowest point I have ever experienced in my life.....and disappointing this bride just stresses me out even more. Your replies have made me feel better about this situation.

This is your daughter! Tell the bride your story and let her figure it out. She is most likely thinking of children in her own future, if she has any heart she will see that a cake or your kid..... there is no choice. Make the call and turn that stress over and concentrate on your daughter.... besides, these glitches are what give brides something to talk about when it is all over! Praying, sending love and light to your and your daughter.

I'm praying for your family. Please keep us posted on your daughter.

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter...this sounds like a really tough time. this bride SHOULD understand...your daughter and her health comes first.

I'm right on the border of wisconsin...if that wasn't so far away I would help. I hope you find someone.

I had a similar situation happen to me, only I was the one in the hospital. The bride was very understanding and I found someone to do the cake. Just give her a call and don't think about it any longer. I wish you and your family the best and that your daughter returns to good health soon! My son had cancer and was hospitalized for a long time. You need to be with your daughter and family. They are the most precious thing you have and she needs you right now!

$2 /serving for THAT much work???? SERIOUSLYYYYYY??? and you bought all that stuff?? oh my!
I wouldn't worry about trying to find another baker etc...if I was you. This is your child's life...the bride should understand.She might be upset...but that's OK! like everyone else suggested... her life won't be ruined if she didn't have a cake at her wedding! She can always purchase dozen's of cupcakes/sheet cakes etc to serve as desserts...but NOTHING can replace your presence and your 100% attention to YOUR CHILD!!!
Stop worrying about others... you can go ahead and refund her money,tell her the whole situation and forget about it... how many brides buy you massage certificates just because they realized how hard you worked on their cakes???
I will continue praying for your heart and your family!!! God will work miracles and your little girl will be home happy and healthy!!!
Hang in there!
- H

I can't say anything different than what has already been posted. But do want to let you know I'll be praying for you and your family as well.

Keep us posted when things get better.

So sorry to hear about this! Your family is in my prayers. I don't see how anyone could fail to understand.

Just more prayers for you and your daughter- and I agree with the others, she will understand. I am sure as a bride she has thoughts of children one day and will have an understanding of your and your daughters needs.

Just wanted to say your daughter and your family are in my prayers.

Call the bride and tell her now that you can't do her cake. Refund her money and let her worry about getting a replacement. YOU have enough on your plate without finding a baker for her. I cannot even imagine what you must be going thru but I do know that you don't need to be concerning yourself with anything other than your daughter right now. If the bride doesn't understand then she doesn't deserve you in the first place. I too will be praying for your daughter, you and your family.

Your daughter and your family are in my prayers. The bride will understand and if she doesn't, it's not your fault so don't let it bother you. Your daughter is way more important than a cake could ever be.

Your daughter and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Praying for strength for you to see you through this.

Praying for your daughter and your family! Ditto what everyone else said about the bride.

wishing your daughter a speedy recovery.

I'm so sorry about your situation. I'm praying it gets better for her soon.

I agree with everyone else. I can't imagine the bride would have any response other than letting you know she will keep your daughter in her prayers (which I will most certainly do as well). Please don't let yourself feel any stress over the cake, you have enough stress from your daughter's health crisis. So sorry you are going through this.

Find a baker who will take the order and then call the bride. Don't leave it up to her to find one for her wedding which is a week away. Most of the baking community in our town works together when something like this happens.
Good luck and may God bless you and your family. Many prayers for your sweet daughter.

I read this last night & was unable to post a reply; however, please know that I spent a while on my knees last night lifting up you & your family! It is difficult to watch your children in pain & be unable to help. Please use your energies to be there for your daughter & let others do for you (please don't be afraid to ask for help!!!). I am sure the bride will understand, there aren't as many heartless people out there as we sometimes imagine.
I will continue to pray for you & your family, if you don't mind! Keep us posted (when you truly have a minute & at your convenience).