My heart is crying for Scarlett

It's been approximately 2 weeks since I have posted my previous article. In such little while, I had to read a number of devastating posts appearing in my facebook news feed. It is shocking to see multiple of those news in such short time. Maybe because I expand the number of journeys to follow.

I wanted to write about Scarlett for some reason. I met her story just 2 days ago, I wish I could do it earlier. I am sad to hear she gained her angel wings yesterday. There happened a singing charity event for her today, however Scarlett couldn't make it to see it. She has a younger sister, Annabel who is as sweet and beautiful as Scarlett. Needless to say they loved each other so big. The shared posts of the sisters makes me feel broken inside. No doubt it is too early for little sister to understand everything at all. I can't fathom the pain the family is feeling. I wish people who neglect childhood cancer read how the momma expresses her feelings in the posts.

Scarlett was 4 years old. She was diagnosed with Wilms' tumor in July 2019. She was getting treatment at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Georgia. She was a natural born pilot, you can see her flying an airplane in the facebook page. I love her smile. She will keep reminding me of what I am supposed to do for childhood cancer awareness. Fb: ScarlettPatrol.

#WilmsTumor #ChildhoodCancer #Scarlett

Happy 3rd Birthday Callie!

Callie is a beautiful sassy toddler from Hamilton, Ohio. She is a big fan of Peppa Pig. She has a lot of Peppa Pig toys, gadgets, clothes and etc. She likes Minnie Mouse and Baby Shark too. She likes painting. Her favorite song is Angel Baby by Rosie and The Originals. In fact, she is the reason how I met that song and like it so much. I love hearing her baby voice, her happy and sometimes little grumpy moments, catching up the live videos that her parents stream.

Today is Callie's 3rd birthday. Callie and her parents celebrated her birthday in their hospital room at Cincinnati Children's. It was touching to watch to live birthday video stream and see her having many birthday presents from so many people all around the country. It gives me chills and hope that there are (still) good people who care about the children and support their families along that exhausting heart-wrenching journey. I sent her some presents too, I hope she likes them. Her lovely parents have been asking Callie's followers to send hand-written birthday letters with scenic background. The plan is to make a book in which the birthday messages from different locations are pasted. Hence, I sent Callie a letter from Norway. 😊

Callie was diagnosed with stage-4 high risk neuroblastoma back in January 2019 when she was 17 months old. She had received initial treatment but the cancer relapsed. She went on many rounds of chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, radiation therapy and immunotherapy at Cincinnati Children's. She has so far been through so many things that no child has to ever experience. I am amazed by her brave soul and strong body that have endured so much pain. Currently she is waiting for the news from Texas Children's Hospital to get back her modified T cells that will save her life. I believe this is the clinical trial she strives for: https://www.texaschildrens.org/ginakit2 I wish and hope the trial works out everyday.

Many thanks to her beautiful parents for sharing with us every step they take throughout their battle against cancer. I follow their updates on Fb: Callie strong,Tiny but mighty. There are several ways of helping Callie and her family described on the page. The fundraising: https://gf.me/u/x48gwz

#Neuroblastoma #ChildhoodCancer #Callie

My heart is crying for Millie

I feel completely ruined by the loss of Millie. Millie was from Oklahoma. She was diagnosed with stage-4 neuroblastoma back in June 2019. She was getting treatment in OU Children's Hospital. My heart broke into pieces when she was sent home for hospice care.

She was one of the children I have been closely following on the social media. I can't fathom how much pain she has been through or what difficulties their parents have faced. She was a brave and strong fighter, and also so beautiful and full of love. She has taught me so much about how to battle the worst disease ever while keep smiling. I have learned a lot from their family about how to be perfect, responsible and caring parents.

One of Millie's last wishes was to go fishing. To go fishing... That simple and innocent. What else could a 3-year-old toddler ask for? Fortunately, a non-profit organization called The Mack Impact helped her and the family make unforgettable memories of that special fishing day, approximately a week before she has gained her angel wings. It brings me to tears most of the time when I have a look at the photo below. It is very hard for me to look at the photographed memories, so heavy. I wish I could be near her and the family along their battle. I wish I could meet her in person.

Even though I never met her in person, she was always in my thoughts and prayers. Checking her status was the very first thing I've been doing for a while whenever I opened up my Fb. I shed loads of tears when I read the saddest update that nobody can ever imagine how hard to post. Coincidentally, I got the news short after I had discovered the song "Angel Baby" by Rosie & The Originals, and listened over and over again (it is also the favorite song of Callie - another baby girl fighting neuroblastoma at the moment). That got me traumatized, I couldn't neither sleep nor work the following 24 hours. I can't fathom the feeling of the family.

Millie was full of love. She is so much loved by many people. So much pure unconditional love from her family. People continuously sent her loves and prayers. She inspired hundreds of people, including myself.

Millie literally reminded me that there are real problems we people should prioritize and deal with rather than shooting rockets to the space. And that nothing is ever more valuable and important than our children. Millie opened my eyes and made me realize that I need to deviate from my current career aspirations. I feel so sorry and guilty that I chose to be an engineer, not an oncologist. I wish people around me had encouraged me to be a doctor by telling "There is a serious problem called childhood cancer, and you can save children" instead of how much money I could possibly earn or what expensive cars I could drive as the outcome.

I followed her journey on Fb: Millie's Miracle. Many thanks to her lovely parents for sharing it.

Love you, Millie!❤️ I will always do, I miss you a lot, and I promise I will do my best for your friends battling the same enemy. #forever3 #MilliesMiracle

#Neuroblastoma #ChildhoodCancer #Millie