When Addison was three, she had a cold that wasn’t going away. We took her to the doctor several times where she was given nebulizers and cold meds. Eventually her oxygen fell and we were sent to the ER. We received the diagnosis a few days later that she had stage IV Rhabdomyocarcoma and that the disease had spread through about 75% of her lungs.
We are about to start Addison’s 4th consecutive year of treatments. She handles it relatively well. Unfortunately- this is her “normal.” She never went to preschool or has been able to participate in many activities- so the hospital has become her “school-” and the nurses and doctors and child life specialists are her teachers.
I have been unable to work. Her treatment and side effect schedule is a full time job. My husband has also had to miss a lot of work. We are unable to make plans in advance. We live day to day. The emotional strain and stress in also never ending. Cancer is always in the back of our minds- even on good days.
I feel sad for my son. He was only 4 when Addi was diagnosed. He will be 8 this year. We do our very best to give him the attention that he deserves – but he is always 2nd. I know it is hard on him.
We found out a few days before the pics were taken that Addison’s cancer had returned for the 3rd time. We are all devastated – so these pics were taken before treatment resumed, while Addi was feeling great and wasn’t having a ton of horrendous side effects. So thankful for these moments captured!
Hope session by Lindsey Rachael Photography