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Dr.
Kevin started treatment immediately. We
hit the ground running and never let
up. Lumbar punctures, IV infusions,
surgery to implant a port-a-cath, oral
meds, and blood transfusions -
everything was happening so fast.
The
Cancer Center was so supportive of us.
They helped Ruth adjust quickly to the
“new” normal way of life. She loved
wearing the masks and teasing with the
doctors and nurses. Miss Mary Nell and
Mrs. Jeanne were magicians, always
popping up with something fun for Ruth
to distract her from the discomforts and
pain caused by Cancer treatment. One of
her favorite things was having Miss
Becca come in for music therapy. Miss
Becca was tireless in her willingness to
repeat the same song over and over, and
in her patience to let Ruth try all the
instruments. Ruthie also loved art
therapy with Miss. Lyssa. You could
always count on Lyssa, Mary Nell or
Jeanne to have some sort of arts and
crafts project going on to entertain the
kids.
All
through Ruthie’s treatment, we were so
blessed with support from the staff and
from parents. We met other parents of
newly diagnosed kids at Family Weekend.
We were able to share stories, trade
tips on getting through treatment, and
just cry if we wanted to. Everyone
there got it, they understood each
others worries. But there was a lot of
fun and food that weekend, too! |
Ruth Buchanan,
childhood cancer survivor
Ruth and her brother
Cade |
That’s one of
the hardest things to get others to understand,
others who hear the word “cancer” and think that
life suddenly shuts down. It doesn’t!! You
still laugh and watch movies; you still play Uno
and drag out the playdough. You still do all
the silly family rituals. Ruthie and her
brother, Cade, had hot wheels cars and legos
scattered all over the house.
One of the
hardest parts of pediatric cancer is trying to
hit a balance between caring for the child with
cancer but not ignoring siblings. Cade was
wonderful with Ruth. He wouldn’t hit or shove
her, he washed his hands constantly to help keep
her from getting sick, but he mostly just
treated her as a normal as he always had.
We’ve learned
so much in the last four years. Ruth is 9 now
and in 3rd grade. She’s a nut for
animals and card games and she’s getting to be
much more independent. Ruth and Cade are much
more empathic now towards other people’s
problems. My husband, Heath, and I appreciate
every day and are thankful for the blessings we
have and for the family and friends who’ve
helped us through all of this.
We don’t know
what the future holds for any of us, but I think
the lessons we’ve learned from the last four
years will help us to deal with whatever comes
our way, and will help us to be thankful for
everyday that we have together.
-Submitted by
Sarah Buchanan, mother of Ruthie
Ruthie Buchanan
has most likely been through more already in her life than most of us will ever
experience. And for that, Ruthie is truly a
Children's Chance Champion!
Read
Joel's story.
Read
Matthew's story.
Read Amber's
story.
Read
Gabriel's story.
Read
Annastin's story.
Read Brittany's story.
Read the Ferguson family's
story.
Read
Madelyn's story.
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To submit your family's
story about your own experience with pediatric
cancer to be featured in the Meet the Families
section, please email to:
samanthahiggins@bellsouth.net (include
pictures if you like)
or call the office at (803) 254-5996! |
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