Olivia

Olivia’s Wilms tumor (a form of pediatric kidney cancer) was found at a routine wellness check with her pediatrician. Her appointment was on a Tuesday, ultrasounds Wednesday, and then the dreaded call from her pediatrician to get to the ER as soon as possible came on the Thursday. The ultrasound had shown a tumor three times the size of her right kidney. The words from the doctor on the phone, “I’m so sorry. This is going to be a really long road for you all,” still ring in my ears.

So in the midst of a global pandemic, during a time when our two girls had played only with each other for three months straight, suddenly half our family was in the hospital while the other was left at home.

We can’t help but feel so very lucky with Olivia’s diagnosis. Her incredible pediatrician, who initially found the tumor, did so before it had spread. Her surgery to remove the tumor and kidney went perfectly, and her chemotherapy treatment is somewhat precautionary. 

It’s not been an easy road. She’s had multiple ER visits, which more often than not resulted in being admitted to the hospital. And of course the usual side effects of a little eight-year-old body going through chemotherapy.

She’s now just past the halfway mark of her treatment, and we know our Livi will only come out of this stronger and wiser than before. This sweet girl of ours responded to the news of her impending hair loss with, “One of the teachers at my school went through chemotherapy last year and she looked even more beautiful bald!” She’s most certainly a hero in a cute head scarf!

Before we joined this awful "club" of pediatric cancer families, we were completely unaware of what, tragically, so very many families go through. After meeting Audra and being introduced to the MaxLove Project group, we are now so eager to help raise awareness of pediatric cancer and help ease the pain that so many little bodies should never have to endure. — Alison, Olivia’s mom