I'm not sure who all I have told what to...so, I'm posting this to tell you all the story of my sweet little niece, Addison. She was diagnosed with cancer on December 10, 2011. And, this is everything that has happened since. We appreciate all of your prayers and thoughts. We have been truly blessed this last week and I could not be more grateful.
Saturday night Ashley sent me a text to let me know that they were taking Addison to the ER. They had noticed a weird bump on her left side and it was hard. I told her to let me know how it went and keep me updated. She sent me a text a little while later letting me know that they thought it was her spleen and weren't sure why it was enlarged, so they were gonna do some xray's and blood tests. I decided to call my grandparents and let them know what was going on. So, I did. While I was on the phone with them I started crying. I was worried about her and wasn't sure what was going on with my precious niece. I also texted my older brother and younger sister to let them know Addison was in the hospital and that I would keep them updated. A little while later I received a text informing that Addison's blood work came back fine and they wanted to do a CT Scan. I said okay, that's good that her blood work came back fine, and just to keep me updated. I went to pick my mom up from work, we talked about Addison being in the hospital and I let her know that we were waiting to hear back about what the CT Scan showed. What we found out would flip our world upside down. Ashley sent both my mom and I a text letting us know that they had discovered a large tumor off of Addison's left kidney, and yes...it was cancer. I broke down. My mom remained calm and Ashley said she needed us.
Morgan returned home after her babysitting job was over and we told her what was going on. I called my older brother and woke him up to let him know what was going on. I couldn't stop crying at this point. My poor little niece had cancer and such a short time after we lost my Uncle to cancer in July 2010. We left Morgan to stay home with a sleeping Nick and my mom and I went to Children's Hospital. When we got there they were still in the ER rooms. Addison was wide awake and not knowing what was going on. My mom hugged Ashley for a while. Addison looked at her mom confused. I then took my turn hugging Ashley. We sat down and got details about the tumor. It was very large. They believed it to be a Wilm's Tumor. And if this is what it was then the treatment and everything else looked good for Addison, but we wouldn't know what it was exactly until they would be able to remove it and do some tests on the tumor. They emitted Addison into the hospital and moved her to the cancer ward.
The ride home was sad. But, both my mother and I felt at peace about the entire situation. Was I still crying and worried about it? Yes. But, we both felt like Addison was going to be okay. That it was all going to work out and she was going to come out of this experience fine. I went to sleep about 4 am on Sunday morning and woke up at 10. Took a shower and headed off to go spend some time at the hospital. We got there and Addison was ready to go home. She no longer wanted to be in the hospital. She had..well, still has, no understanding about what was going on with her. Why she was there. My older brother and his wife and child came to see Addison. They brought lunch with them and we all hung out. Like any typical family get together. We were laughing and playing with the kids. It was great. We left around 2 so I could go to a final review, since all of my finals were the next day.
The next day I was up early for finals and was spending my day in Birmingham. We found out that the cancer hadn't spread anywhere and they would do the surgery Tuesday. What a relief! I took my first two finals, and then walked down to Children's Hospital, since it was right off campus, and went to see them. We hung out for a little bit in her room. And then, we were able to go to the Polar Express! Where Addison was able to make some Christmas crafts and get out of her room. She loved it. We had such a blast. We then walked back up to her room. Where she did not want to be! Poor thing. But, you have to do what you have to do. I left shortly after to go take my last final. When I was done with that, I went and got dinner for myself and than headed back to Children's. Lots of people came to visit Monday night. It was very busy! I left shortly after 8. Cried and had a break down as I was leaving the parking deck, one- because Addison was in a bad mood and breaking my heart. and B- because the lady at the gate wouldn't take my debit card and I had no other way to pay. (She ended up letting me out for free) I then went to work to inform them that I wouldn't be at work the next day and what all was going on. Broke down in the Office there too. Than, I finally made my way home to try and get some rest for the next day.
Tuesday. The big day. Morgan and Nick wanted to be there for it all too, so I went to check them out from school. We left after that and went to the hospital. Adam's parents were already there. We got to see Addison for a little bit and then headed downstairs to the waiting room while Ashley and Adam met with the people that would be in the OR with their baby. After that, it was a waiting game. we prayed a lot. A couple of times together. We were given prayer rocks. And waited to hear back from the nurse that was in charge of calling and giving us updates throughout the surgery. Every time our buzzer would go off to signal that they were calling my heart would stop. Luckily, they were able to remove the entire tumor. And Addison did really great through the whole thing. After recovery she was sent to the Special Care Unit to be watched over night. And we left to go home and try to get some rest. (Sitting at a hospital just waiting is VERY exhausting.)
Wednesday, I went up there and brought them some doughnuts. (Yes...Krispy Kreme...because I'm the best sister.) I was able to go in the Special Care Unit to see Addison. Who, was propped up on her left side watching Shrek. That girl LOVES her some Shrek. We were told very exciting news that Addison would be able to move into a room later that day since she was doing so well. I gave Addison a kiss and left to go tell Adam's mom in the waiting room to call everyone and let them know. After the men returned, Ashley, Adam's mom, and myself left to go eat some lunch. Than, came back to be there in time for when they moved Addison. Adam's parents and I went to take all of their stuff up to Addison's new room and wait for them to get there. Addison's Oncologist asked us if we wanted to see the CT Scan pictures. Of course we did. So, he pulled up the pictures to show us. From the front the tumor was about 14 cm by 9.5 cm. and looking from the top it was about 10 cm across. Now, Addison is a very tiny two and a half year old. And knowing that something that size was inside of her tiny body...it's still hard to wrap my head around!
Thursday, I had to work and was too exhausted after work to be able to go to the hospital. :( All day all I wanted was to be there though. Addison was feeling much better and was able to drink different things and eat Popsicles! Yum!
Friday, I had to work again. I really wish I didn't...but I did. Addison was acting like her normal self again! She was able to go see Santa and get a toy! She was also walking all over the hospital with her IV. It was truly amazing. Who would have thought that only a few short days after a major surgery that left her with only one kidney, that she'd be back to normal? That little girl is an amazing person. I am so glad to be able to call her my niece. She has been through so much.
The Pathology reports also came back Friday. It was the Wilm's tumor. And it weighed at least 2 pounds. My heart breaks for her.
Saturday, I got up and went to the hospital. We watched Shrek and ate some lunch. They informed us that Addison could probably go home later that day since she was doing so great! About an hour later the nurse came in and unhooked Addison's IV and we were able to walk around the hospital with her. She took us all over the place! It was great. Then I had to go to work. :( I didn't want to leave but, I was happy to go knowing that Addison was going to be leaving as well.
Addison's fight isn't over just yet. She has to start chemo the Tuesday after Christmas. They have already told Ashley she will lose most, if not all, of her hair. We are going to invest in some hats since it will be cold, even here in Birmingham. We have been so blessed! Addison is doing amazing and is going to be okay! When she gets older her battle scar is going to be pretty sweet when she's older. I'd be proud of the scar she has. I want to say thank you to all of you that have had concerns about Addison and have prayed for my family. We have felt those prayers this week. It could be a lot worse than it is. So, we are thankful for what we have.
We are selling some bracelets for Addison. They are going to be $5. They are bright pink with yellow letters. They will say 'fight like a girl' and have Addison's name on them. And the inside will say childhood cancer. If you are interested in one you can contact my via Facebook or Twitter. Or comment on here.
Thank you again for all the thoughts and prayers.
I love you all like mad.
XO
Kymber.
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