Stories of Inspiration

Katie had been complaining of headaches in retrospect for about a year.  I chalked it up to a taste for grape flavored children's Tylenol and a flair for the dramatic.  In October of last year, we were on a short vacation when she told us at dinner that her food tasted funny, and again she had a headache.   She woke us up at midnight, throwing up in bed.  The vomiting continued for the next day or so, and then she was fine.  Clearly it had been a stomach virus we told ourselves.  Fast forward one month to November 15th.  I'll never forget it, as this is my birthday.  I was rushing her to school, her sister to day care, and me to work for an important board meeting.  Katie said she had a horrible headache, "Like 1,000 jackhammers, Mom."   I convinced her that she was f

My name is Ayis.  When I was young I had dreams of being a top athlete and going to the Olympics like my father had done before me… all that changed October 18th 1988 when I was diagnosed and had a surgery to remove a huge brain tumor in my cerebellum!  The Astrocytoma was diagnosed at the last minute and as a result I almost died! The surgery was performed by some of the best surgeons in Europe equipped with a brand new surgery technique.  Although I was fortunate that it was benign, the surgery lasted nine hours and I had a 30% chance of living.

Megan is a cheerleader at her middle school. While cheering at a school game,she got hit in the head with a basketball that seemed to just come flying out of the air. Because she felt nauseaous and looked a bit disoriented her coach suggested she might have a slight concussion and said we might want to take her to the ER to have her checked out. Being the often accused "overprotective" parents we are we decided to do just that.

It began with Kylie complaining of a headache. The pain would last briefly and then she acted fine. Looking back I feel guilty for thinking she was just being dramatic, but who actually assumes the worst about their child?

I still find it very hard to recount Tara's journey without getting quite emotional, but it is getting easier, as she is doing so well now - so here goes:

By Carol Baan

I hope you never have to hear the words “Your child has cancer”.

I hope you never have to hear “The prognosis is not good”.

I hope you never have to watch your child prepare to undergo chemo, have a “port” surgically implanted in their chest, be connected to an IV pole, look at you with fear in their eyes and say, “Don’t worry Mom, it’s going to be okay.”

I hope you never have to hold your child while they vomit green bile.

I hope you never have to feed them ice chips for lunch.