We decided to have Lily tested for Celiac disease because she was grappling with digestive issues.  The routine blood test also called for a CBC.  We are so thankful we had her tested because we may not have discovered the cancer (ALL) until later. At her diagnosis, she had 55% blasts in her bone marrow, which the doctors told us meant we discovered the cancer fairly early.   In hindsight, we can look back at pictures and see she was pale, had a lack of energy and would sleep more than normal.

Raven’s diagnosis started one spring morning. I was surprised to see my then 3yr old holding her nose while it was pouring blood. My initial thought was she bumped up against something, so once I cleaned her up and tried to get the nose bleed to stop I inspected her room. I found nothing out of the ordinary. Her nose began to bleed again, so a panic set in and I called my mom asked her to join me taking Rae (Raven) to urgent care. I recall walking in, and a nurse walking right up to us and asking me if I thought my daughter looked pale. I replied she had a pretty bad nose bleed, they took us right to a room drew some labs and within one hour our world was forever changed. We were taken to Phoenix Childrens Hospital where our journey began.

I reached out to Raven’s mom after she posted a photo about Raven’s birthday party on HopeKids, a non profit we were both a part of for kids with chronic illness.  I really felt called to reach out to her. I wanted her to know that she could vent/cry/whatever to another mom that is going through exactly what they are going through. 

We started talking and realized we lived very close. It took a long time to get the girls together because they each kept getting sick.  The girls hit it if off immediately.

There is a special bond between Raven and Lily because they both know, even if they don’t talk about it, that they are both going through the same battle.  Lily lights up with the mention of Raven’s name.  She also knows she needs to protect her – so when she is sick, she cannot see Raven.  But the best part is that the girls are just girls with each other – they play, they dance, they run around.  It’s not about the cancer, the medicine or the side effects, it is just about two kids having fun together.

Cancer is an isolating world.  There is something extra comforting to be able to lean into someone who is going down the same road.  It’s also even better to share the triumphs with each other. 

We hope Lily and Raven remain friends for a lifetime.  God has great plans for this friendship and I cannot wait to see it.

Hope session by Yvee Bee Photography