Our lives changed forever on May 13, 2009. I took Reese, then 17 months old, to see her pediatrician because she had a very distended tummy for 5 days. After the examination he suggested I take Reese to Sick Kids as he felt “something” and wanted them to run an ultra sound just to be sure. And that’s where it began. Reese had the ultra sound and we were then immediately admitted to the general pediatric ward so that further tests could be run. Well, after 8 days of tests including the ultra sound, a CT scan, an MRI, blood tests, urine tests, a bone marrow aspirate, a biopsy, a bone scan and an MIBG scan Reese was officially diagnosed with stage IV High Risk Neuroblastoma: a 12 cm tumor was attached to her adrenal gland and the cancer had spread to Reese’s bones and bone marrow. THANKFULLY it had not spread to any soft tissue, her spinal column or her brain. Neuroblastoma is a common childhood cancer (the 4th most common with leukemia and brain cancer being most common) but quite rare overall. Only 50 or so kids in Canada are diagnosed with it each year.
Jump forward to today. Reese is 19 months old and it’s been a couple months since the diagnosis. We have a clear plan (protocol) that Reese will be on for the next 12 – 18 months which includes chemotherapy, surgery, a stem cell transplant, radiation and immunotherapy.
Despite everything Reese has endured so far, she still finds it within herself to play, to laugh, to learn and to give big bear hugs. Her strength, energy and positive attitude are an inspiration to us all. Reese is our Warrior Princess! Again, it’s one heck of a journey. But if there’s one kid who can handle this journey, laugh along the way and come out victorious, it’s our daughter Reese.
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