This last Thursday, some friends of mine found out that their 12-year old daughter has Stage 4 neuroblastoma. It's a nerve-originated cancer that metatisizes quickly throughout the body. In this little girl's case, the cancer is in her bones and has caused tumors to pop up in her lungs, her hip bones, and most awfully, her spine. Because the parents do not have insurance, her 9 months of headaches, stomach illness, and lack of feeling in her legs and limbs were not treated properly. It was only after she could no longer walk was she admitted to Peyton Manning Children's hospital, where she underwent surgery to remove most of the tumor pressing on her spine. Her prognosis is not good, but chemotherapy and possibly stem cell blood replacement is still being suggested to combat this rare cancer. All of this treatment will likely bankrupt the parents.
Although I barely know this little girl and rarely see her parents, I spent most of the weekend thinking about them. On Friday, a friend of the family and I visited this little girl after she had had a bone marrow aspiration (think a big needle being inserted directly into your bones), so she was not in the best mood. :) I can only imagine. The hospital is very nice and welcoming, but there really isn't anywhere to escape the sadness of the kids in that place, despite the best effort of the wacky nurses and colorful flowers on the wall.
On Friday, I also found out that two of my other friends lost much-loved pets earlier in the week.
So, not a happy weekend. And I mostly feel fragile thinking about it.
It is always at odd times in our lives that these things seem to cluster around us. I notice it most when its time to take time and appreciate what I have--specifically the kids.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those times when there is no logical answer to the quetion WHY??? It takes a giant leap of faith to believe that good will come from this very tragic situation. I hope in time that the family recovers and thrives again.
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