Although I have many more pictures and stories to share about our recent time with Nathan, today is Sarah’s day.
Today marks Sarah’s ninth anniversary of being a survivor of Stage IV Neuroblastoma, the cancer with one of the lowest survival rates of all pediatric cancers. I’ve posted a photo retrospective over on her site today, so be sure to stop by there to help her celebrate.
Sarah is a young lady who has gone through some truly horrific experiences in her young life. One which comes quickly to mind is the preparation process for her bone marrow transplant when she was given doses of chemo strong enough to have killed an adult. (Her doctor said that children’s bodies can handle more chemo than adults can.)
When the (miraculous, poisonous) chemo killed off her immune system, she developed horrible open sores-from her mouth all the way down through her entire digestive system. She went for several weeks without being able to take anything by mouth because the pain was so intense.
But she endured with grace.
She found a core of strength inside that frail seven year old body that surprised us all.
And she lived to become the “after” in this before and after photo.
We are so very, very thankful that our child survived, so grateful that she has been given the chance to blossom into loveliness--loveliness of face and loveliness of heart.
Happy anniversary, baby girl.
Posts
22 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):
Amazing...this is such a good anniversary to celebrate. She's come so far and I love reading posts like these.
Yay Sarah!!!
One day you'll be an *old* 19-year survivor like me.
You go girl.
So glad to be witnessing the Happily Ever After!!! You go, girl!!!
What an awesome anniversary. The Smith Family did a great job of fighting to get where you are today.
Prayers and hugs!
Connie F-G
To God be the Glory! Amen and amen!! Love you, Sarah!
Wow! To God be all the glory!
Cindy in Tennessee
Happy, Happy, Anniversary, indeed! I have said it at least a hundred times, I am still amazed and in awe of the journey and the strength and the faith and the brilliance of the result - you will always be an inspiration and means of peace to me. Thank you for sharing your life. GO CELEBRATE - do it BIG - smile large!
Happy Anniversary Sarah! Our God is so good!! I look forward to reading about you long into the future!!
Happy Anniversary and many many more! God bless you all.
Dana H, Greenville SC
The happiest of anniversaries, ever! What a miracle! God bless you Sarah. L in Alaska
What a glorious day... :<) I "met" Sarah in 2006... five years ago. God is all over your family in so many ways, and it's been a real privilege to be a witness....
Happy Anniversary Sarah!! My son Tanner is at the 6 year mark.
WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!! That is AWESOME!!! My prayers in seeing your beautiful daughter surviving this horrible cancer are with the researchers and the doctors searching for ways to stop neuroblastoma, and treating those with it. We need more Sarah's. My prayers are also that Sarah lives a long healthy life, that she is content in her life, that it has spices of both joy and sorrows (because I believe we enjoy the joys more when there are sorrows), and that when she dies (because we all do die) it is because she is really really really really old, like 90 or 100.
Anniversaries like this are made for celebration! Congratulations Sarah!
Love, hugs and ladybugs....
What a wonderful celebration for a wonderful young lady!
Cindy from Sonoma
Happy anniversary Sarah!! You are one amazing young lady!
Best wishes sent your way,
R.
Hooray!!!!!!
Those pictures speak volumes. Poor darlin'. What a great anniversary to celebrate. Lisa~
Such an accomplishment~ many, many more happy years to come Sarah!
Good morning, Becky. Greetings from chilly Cincinnati! Yep, upper 80's last week, upper 40's this week. Ewww.
Anyway, I'm sure you don't need to be reminded how blessed you all are. I mean, Sarah is healed (congratulations on another anniversary!). Her mom has overcome serious health issues, including cancer. Nathan and his father have had their share of scares, as well. Even Snowy proved the doctors wrong! Goodness, this Smith Family is doing something right! ;)
You all are living proof in the power of prayer, and I feel blessed just knowing your story, and witnessing the miracles that seem to follow you. :)
Your blog is inspiring, uplifting, and fun. Thanks, Smith Family, for sharing your strength, love, and faith. It is people (and pups) like you that make someone's day a little brighter.
Hooray for Sarah and hooray for God. Congratulations on your anniversary. God bless.
What a blessing it has been to witness Sarah's Journey, Your Family's Journey. Truly a blessing.
Happy Anniversary Sarah!!! Wishing you and your family God's richest blessings :)
Post a Comment