Scarlett is a beautiful, bright blue-eyed little girl filled with a spunk and passion for life far beyond her 3 years of age. During routine bloodwork at her 2 year checkup, abnormal cells were found which led us immediately to Johns Hopkins for further examination. Within 4 days of that pediatrician visit, the normalcy and innocence of Scarlett's childhood came to an abrupt halt. She was immediately admitted to the JH Childrens Center to begin numerous invasive surgeries, pokes/prods, scans, tests, feeding tubes, chemotherapy drugs and medicines of every color. She was no stranger to life-threatening infections and we lived on edge more days than we can count. We were blessed that after the 1st month of chemotherapy, her Leukemia was 'undetectable' and they would be able to proceed with chemotherapy treatments alone. At this point, she was going to be able to avoid going through a bone marrow transplant which could significantly decrease her chances of survival. If the cancer cells returned at any point during treatment (or even today), she would have to then endure the transplant. Through her 5+ month stay at JHH battling AML M7, she perservered through intense chemotherapy treatments and monstrous side effects, but she never failed to win the hearts of the nurses, doctors, families that surrounded her with her silly, comedic antics and mature, quick wit. She loved playing nurse and on days when she felt well enough she would spend hours on end in the nurses station entertaining the staff and brightening their day. She quickly became known as the JH Pediatric Oncology 'mascot'. We had more scary, heart-stopping moments than we care to remember, but she continued to amaze us with her will to fight and her infectious spirit. She showed us what the true meaning of courage and strength really is and forever changed our lives and the lives of countless others along the way.
Just before Christmas of 2011, Scarlett finished her treatments and was able to move back home to celebrate with her family, including big brother, Gavin (now 5). She is currently in remission and now just goes to outpatient clinic for regular precautionary blood draws and assessments. As parents, it is very hard not to live in constant fear that she will relapse and need to endure a bone marrow transplant, but we are working hard every day to not let that fear overshadow the 2nd chance at life that God so graciously bestowed upon her/us. There have been a few scares over the last year when we thought relapse could be lurking...aches in her legs/feet, unexplainable bruising on her back, loss of pigmentation in her skin which could mean a drop in a certain blood count...however, she was fortunately being carried by our prayers to Our Heavenly Father and He has kept her heathy this whole last year. She is enjoying every minute of life and spends her days drawing, singing, dancing and playing as a 3-year-old should. Much like her brother, she has has what we call an 'architectural mind' and loves doing puzzles and building things. But most of all, she did not lose her 'nursing skills' and she enjoys playing nurse to her dolls and her family. It took about another 6 months before she could start to spend time with her little friends as she had prior to diagnosis and it is still such a joy to watch her being given the chance to interact normally again with other children. She (sadly) matured a great deal throughout her ordeal and we forget that we are speaking to a 3 1/2 year old at times...she is such an old soul now trapped in such a tiny little body.
This last year at home in remission has made us happy beyond comprehension. It was so exciting to see her appetite return after endless months of only being able to eat through a feeding tube. Pizza is still the favorite, so even chemo couldn't kill her love for that! She was able to go back to daycare school in July and become socialized again with all her old friends. That was an exciting time for her! We had an amazing summer (with a BIG birthday party) and never squandered a moment, always remembering how it felt to be trapped in hospital walls the whole summer prior. It was exciting to share in the magic of another Christmas season together, but she cannot wait to get back into her bathing suit and swim in the pool and the Bay. She is excited that Mommy decided to stop working and stay home to take care of the family full-time...and even more excited that she is getting a new baby brother or sister this coming June! We all look forward to the upcoming months and no matter how hectic they will be (it's a given), we never lose sight that each day we are given with Scarlett and each other is a blessing never to be taken for granted. God Bless His Children...
