During our long stay at the hospital we were blessed to have met so many amazing children. These children had cancer and yet you only could see their strength and their bravery. You also knew their life was in the fine balance between life and death. So incredibly sad and yet we all had such great hope for each of them.
During our stay I was lucky to have met Sophia and her parents. She was diagnosed 3 months before Cole, at the young age of 9 months. Sophie also had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), however, her cancer was rated as a M-7. This meant she had the worst case possible on the scale of 1-7. To put this in perspective, Cole was diagnosed with M-5 and we were told we didnt have much of a chance.
The wonderful thing about Sophie was that every hurdle thrown at her.. she won! Sophie bravely fought her cancer, dealt with the chemo and was sent home to live a normal life. Although for the parents our lives are never the same, these children seem to manage what they went through and move on. Now Sophie is 7 and going strong! I always viewed her as the miracle baby.. and rightfully so. Im so incredibly happy to say she is a survivor.
Not only do I adore Sophie and her brother and sister, but I truly adore her Parents. Sean and Nikki have been wonderful friends throughout this entire process. We spent time together in the hospital, they visited us when we took Cole home and we have kept in touch ever since.
And a very proud moment was last year, when both Nikki and I ran the Nike Marathon for our children. I was so incredibly proud to run miles 14-17 with Nikki! And then, while I was running, I saw Sophie and Sean on the sideline cheering us on! It was beyond a miracle. She is nearly the same age as Cole would have been... and there she was.. a survivor. I was very proud of her.
Yesterday I received a picture of Sophie at the "Light the Night" event. This event benefits the Leukemia society and I proudly attended the event when Cole was alive. This sweet picture is of Sophie with a memory sticker for Cole. Honestly, the most beautiful picture to me. Yes, Cole should have been standing next to her... but Im incredibly happy to see this blooming young girl living her life and happy.
Below is a picture of Sophie visiting us at home and now 6 years later at light the night.
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2 comments:
Oh my god she has grown up.When you dont see someoneon a regular basis you forget that they still will grow up. I would have love to see the front of her so I can see how cute she still is!!!!
Yeah, it's great to hear she's doing well. I'm doing my Light the Night tonight in Toronto (working at the registration table for the 4th year). Will be thinking of Cole as well. All the best.
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