Sophia M.

Missouri

Birth Date -  March 28, 2006

Main Diagnosis -  Stage IV Burkitt's Lymphoma

THEME:   Princess Crowns and Unicorns

Sophia's Story

Sophie came down with a fever on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Our family was in Kansas City at union station taking in the Pirates Exhibit. She was ill for several weeks and trips to our local doctor were going no where. She was prescribed amoxicillin but the low grade fevers were now accompanied by body aches in her legs and jaw and head. We finally took her the Children's Mercy Urgent care and blood tests were started. They originally thought it was a weird infection, then indicated juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. They finally sent us to the main hospital in downtown Kansas City to see the infectious disease doctor for more blood work. That was December 4, 2013.

December 5, 2013 I was at work and at 10:53 a.m. received a call from the infectious disease dr. I was immediately alarmed since they told us we wouldn't hear anything for several days. Our lives were forever changed when they told me that they believed Sophia had leukemia. They advised us that they already had a room ready for her Nd to get her there immediately.

Sophie was admitted that day and her official diagnosis was given to us on December 9, 2013. Stage 4 Burkitts Leukemia, a rare and aggressive cancer in which the cancer cells double every 24 hours. A few more weeks and it would have been too late. Needless to say, our lives were forever changed that day.

Sophie started chemotherapy the very next day and her last chemo treatment is scheduled for April 2, 2014. Although her treatment time has been shirt, her treatments have been brutal with many chemotherapy drugs, regular lumbar punctures, interthecal chemo (chemo given into her spinal fluid), fevers and mucositis issues between each treatment. She has been unable to attend school and has been visited by her homebound teacher when she is feeling up to it.

Sophie is a very courageous and strong girl. She has been thru more than most adults, complains very little and we are so proud.