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Hattie's Cancer Journey

My daughter Hattie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma in July 2013 when she was 16 months old. After about a year and a half of chemotherapy, radiation and multiple surgeries, she was declared cancer free in December 2014. I'm posting a photo and short reflection every day in 2015 to celebrate the end of treatment and reflect on the journey.
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3. 7/18/2013 - Waiting is the hardest part.
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3. 7/18/2013 - Waiting is the hardest part.

We trekked into Boston to meet with a pediatric gynecologist at Children's Hospital. I remember being really annoyed at how long it took to park in the ramp and how long we waited before meeting with the doctor. We were finally called in and the doctor examined Hattie and wasn't quite sure what to make of the mass. She wanted another doctor to take a look and I think we were sent back out into the waiting room.

More waiting. More time for anxiety to creep in. We were called back in and the second doctor took a look but also wasn't sure what to make of it. They scheduled Hattie to come back for an ultrasound the following Monday (these exams were on a Thursday, so this gave us four more days to wait).

Hattie was given a stuffed animal on the way out, the first of many "cancer critters" as we dubbed them. We went home and had the long weekend to search for distractions while waiting. We learned that information never comes as quick as you'd like and you need to accept the uncertainty and find a way to get to just keep going.

  • 1. 7/14/2013 - Just a 16 month old in a box, drinking milk and watching Curious George.
  • 2. 7/16/2013 - Our eighth wedding anniversary.
  • 3. 7/18/2013 - Waiting is the hardest part.
  • 4. 7/20/2013 - Swimming with a friend.
  • 5. 7/22/2013 - A long day at the hospital.
  • 6. 7/23 - 7/25/2013 - More waiting.
  • 7. 7/26/2013 - First scans.
  • 8. 7/27/2013 - Waiting for scan results.
  • 9. 7/27 - 7/28/2013 - Dancing with friends.
  • 10. 7/29/2013 - Kate and Hattie look at fish before surgery.
  • 11. 7/29/2013 - Post-surgery playing at home.
  • 12. 7/30 - 7/31/2013 - Happy at dinner.
  • 13. 8/1/2013 - Defiant after diagnosis.
  • 14. 8/3/2013 - Swinging fun.
  • 15. 8/4/2013 - Hattie's port-a-cath.
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