Blank Children's Hospital
Maddy
What could be better than seeing a child celebrate at a party just for them? Whether it's a birthday party, or a graduation from pre-school party - the smile on a child's face is enough to brighten up any room. But what happens when a child becomes sick? Celebration takes on new meaning. Celebration can be as simple as a child feeling well today. Or, the celebration of a child's new-found confidence to face the next procedure or painful test. Regardless of the occasion, celebration is very important for children facing illness.
When Maddy was just 3-years old, she began to experience headaches accompanied with vomiting. Maddy's parents - Jennifer and Mathew - were concerned. They consulted their doctor who at first thought it was just the stomach flu, which is common in young children. But when the headaches and vomiting continued and Maddy's energy level was drained, they went back to the doctor who was then concerned it could be something more serious such as meningitis. After a visit to the Emergency Department, several tests were ordered, and something unexpected was discovered - a brain tumor. A CT scan revealed a cancerous tumor in Maddy's brain the size of a golf ball - the diagnosis was Medulloblastoma.
"Devastation doesn't begin to describe the emotions we felt," says Jennifer, Maddy's mom. "But with Maddy's spirit and positive attitude, we knew she could beat this."
The first part of Maddy's cancer treatment was at the Children's Hospital of Iowa in Iowa City. She had surgery to remove the tumor, followed by 6 weeks of daily radiation and weekly chemo. After that was completed, she had 9 cycles of maintenance chemo at Blank Children's Hospital - lasting almost 1 year.
Today, Maddy is cancer free and celebrating!
What gave Maddy the strength to beat cancer? "I think that the gift of being a child is what gave her strength," says Jennifer. "She has always had a great attitude, is constantly smiling, and wants to do everything that she would be doing if she didn't have cancer. And that's the way we have always treated her - like a normal child. She's not limited in her activity - whatever she has the energy to do, she does!"
Maddy's family and friends were with them - celebrating each milestone - every step of the way. The support they found through parents of other children who have fought and are fighting cancer is irreplaceable.
Something else irreplaceable is the love Blank Children's providers and staff grew for Maddy. "I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do without them, not having to be around them on a daily basis," says Jennifer. "I feel as though we've received personal care every step of the way. Maddy isn't a nameless, faceless patient being shuffled in and out the door. I truly believe the staff loves her and cares for her well-being and is devoted to seeing her grow up."