Savannah is a very happy and “go with the flow” baby. She loves toys that light up and play music. She is just starting to sit up by herself and is starting to crawl. Savannah also LOVES her sister. You can see it in her eyes when she hears Scarlett’s voice, it’s just amazing to watch. Savannah is also teething and loves to put everything in her mouth.

When Savannah was born, the nurses felt a lump on the back of her neck. Just two days after being born we were already on the journey of scans and doctors. She had a biopsy/removal of the mass in Aug 2017. She was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on 8/23/2017. She started chemo 8/30/2017 and had her mediport implanted. Savannah did not have any symptoms. My pregnancy was normal. Prenatal Ultrasounds did not pick up any abnormalities.

Savannah has been going two times a week to the hospital for blood work and chemo. Every 3 weeks she stays overnight to get hydration because one of the medications can damage her bladder and kidneys. She was just in the hospital with fever. Savannah just had a round of scans and they came back clear! She has to still go on with chemo. She is starting phase two of her treatment and it will intensify. We are very nervous about the effect it will have on her body, especially since she is such a strong baby now. 

Savannah’s cancer has changed our whole world. Of course our children always come first, but our priorities have changed. The cancer is our top priority. Savannah has a 3 1/2 year old sister, Scarlett. This has changed her world too. She has questions about her port, and hospitals and shots, things that 3yr olds should not have to think about. Scarlett is attending a nursery school and this is a great thing for her. We try our best to make Scarlett feel special and loved and include her in everything the best we can. It’s tough to have to put her at family’s houses overnight for when Savannah has to stay overnight at the hospital. 

Savannah’s father is working more than ever to provide for us. And he is not home as much as he would like to be. This hurts him since his family is his everything. We are struggling financially. We are getting by but it is stressful. I, Mom, had to take an unpaid leave from work to take care of Savannah full time. I have always worked. So this is new to me. I absolutely love being a mother. But not having my own money to contribute is hard to get used to. We are all doing our best to be strong for our children.

Savannah’s support page

Hope session by Buatti Ramos Photography | Facebook | Instagram