2006 - Natalie Smith
Written in 2007 -
Our daughter, Natalie Smith, was a typical first grader who enjoyed playing sports, singing, playing with her dolls and friends. We had just finished a short trip to Leavenworth where we had spent time swimming and riding horses. Natalie was looking forward to the summer and a visit with her family in Northern California.
On April 21, 2006, our lives changed dramatically. Natalie was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). She was immediately admitted to Children's hospital to begin an intense six month chemotherapy regimen which required that she be admitted for the majority of the period. As a family, our world became focused on getting Natalie through this treatment. Although we tried to maintain as normal a life as possible for Natalie's older sister, Anna, she couldn't help but also be immersed in this life changing event.
The simple truth is that this could be any family's story. In an instant, any family can experience a life-changing event due to cancer. Sadly, pediatric cancer affects patients earlier and therefore often throughout their lives.
This life-changing experience can also be inspirational. Throughout the treatment, Natalie has maintained her lively personality and zest for life. Her ability to laugh has become an asset as she encounters situations that few seven year olds have to face.
Natalie, a natural at relationship-building, has become half of a self-proclaimed welcoming committee for the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) at Children's Hospital. She and her partner keep their eyes open for new kids and provide a warm welcome.
She and her friends at the SCCA at Children's Hospital have been an inspiration to all of us. Under tough circumstances, they maintain their sense of humor, and demonstrate extraordinary grace and courage. While trying to grasp what her illness meant, Natalie developed an analogy with tulips:
"So it's like someone wanted to grow a garden and had a handful of tulip seeds, but found out that one of the seeds was the wrong kind, so they got rid of that wrong seed and are now going to grow only tulips."
While Natalie undergoes treatment, our family and friends have been blessed to meet many healthcare and social service professionals who are dedicated to helping her and her family through this treatment regimen. We have also been blessed to meet many wonderful young people battling life threatening cancer with tenacity and amazing resilience. In a recent interview with King 5, Natalie's attending Pediatric Oncologist, Douglas Hawkins, M.D., stated that the hope for these young people is in the research.
Inspired by Natalie and the many young courageous children who undergo intense treatment, Natalie's family and friends have created a guild to benefit Children's Hospital Pediatric Oncology Research. Our chosen name - Friends for Life. Together, we will help find a cure and make a difference in the lives of young people battling cancer.
Sincerely, Grier and Dene Smith
For more information on Natalie's progress, please see: www.thestatus.com (user name: smith and password: natalie99)
On April 21, 2006, our lives changed dramatically. Natalie was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). She was immediately admitted to Children's hospital to begin an intense six month chemotherapy regimen which required that she be admitted for the majority of the period. As a family, our world became focused on getting Natalie through this treatment. Although we tried to maintain as normal a life as possible for Natalie's older sister, Anna, she couldn't help but also be immersed in this life changing event.
The simple truth is that this could be any family's story. In an instant, any family can experience a life-changing event due to cancer. Sadly, pediatric cancer affects patients earlier and therefore often throughout their lives.
This life-changing experience can also be inspirational. Throughout the treatment, Natalie has maintained her lively personality and zest for life. Her ability to laugh has become an asset as she encounters situations that few seven year olds have to face.
Natalie, a natural at relationship-building, has become half of a self-proclaimed welcoming committee for the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) at Children's Hospital. She and her partner keep their eyes open for new kids and provide a warm welcome.
She and her friends at the SCCA at Children's Hospital have been an inspiration to all of us. Under tough circumstances, they maintain their sense of humor, and demonstrate extraordinary grace and courage. While trying to grasp what her illness meant, Natalie developed an analogy with tulips:
"So it's like someone wanted to grow a garden and had a handful of tulip seeds, but found out that one of the seeds was the wrong kind, so they got rid of that wrong seed and are now going to grow only tulips."
While Natalie undergoes treatment, our family and friends have been blessed to meet many healthcare and social service professionals who are dedicated to helping her and her family through this treatment regimen. We have also been blessed to meet many wonderful young people battling life threatening cancer with tenacity and amazing resilience. In a recent interview with King 5, Natalie's attending Pediatric Oncologist, Douglas Hawkins, M.D., stated that the hope for these young people is in the research.
Inspired by Natalie and the many young courageous children who undergo intense treatment, Natalie's family and friends have created a guild to benefit Children's Hospital Pediatric Oncology Research. Our chosen name - Friends for Life. Together, we will help find a cure and make a difference in the lives of young people battling cancer.
Sincerely, Grier and Dene Smith
For more information on Natalie's progress, please see: www.thestatus.com (user name: smith and password: natalie99)
