Daughter battles acute leukemia “I have faith in God that this is what’s supposed to be happening, and, one way or another, we’ll get through it,” says Candy Stewart-James. “I just go where I’m put and do what I’m supposed to do while I’m there. It’s one of those things you never want to think about unless you’re forced to.” Candy refers to the news that turned her family’s life upside down when daughter Kate was diagnosed with acute leukemia in mid-January. Since then, Candy drives Kate regularly to the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities where the sports-loving Kate receives treatment. “For a while, it was pretty hectic,” says Sammi, Kate’s big sister, of the diagnosis that left her family reeling, “confusing, shocking, all the emotions you go through. Now we’re taking it step by step, and things have calmed down a bit.” She continues, “At first, it was hard to concentrate and work on school. After a while, I figured you still have to do it, it’s not going to go away. Since then, it’s been fine.” While Sammi and Roger keep things running smoothly at home and at their respective jobs, Candy drives Kate to her five-day treatment, which includes chemo, spinal taps, lumbar punctures, and, sometimes, a blood transfusion. The days are long, eight or nine hours. Their insurance covers much of the treatment costs, but it’s those expenses that insurance won’t cover that mount up – things like uncovered medical bills, transportation to and from the Cities, lodging, and meals. The strong support system of family, friends, and neighbors in the Kimball community is life-nourishing in so many ways, and helps keep Candy, Roger, Kate, and Sammi’s spirits riding high. Like the silent auction that took place recently at a Kimball Community Playhouse play. Like the tremendous outpouring of care and concern in the form of visits to Kate while she was in the hospital, the flood of cards, letters, e-mails, food gifts. “So many people have offered to help, even though I couldn’t think of anything for them to do,” Candy says. Meanwhile, thoughtful neighbors fixed the roof of their home and cleaned the house in preparation for Candy and Kate’s return from her long hospital stay. Nevertheless, the gut-wrenching ordeal has had its positive side. “We’re closer because I knew we could lose her at any time,” Sammi says of her relationship with Kate. “Now we talk a lot more about things that actually matter. I can’t imagine what it’s like that she’s going through. Mostly, I’m really proud of her for stepping up to this and for being brave.” Six months ago, Sammi started working at Gohmann’s, where she cashiers and makes sales signs. “That might be where I stay until I graduate in 2008,” she says. Besides school and work, she’s a cheerleader. Once the snow melts and the days warm up a bit, she’ll play softball. Sammi’s also a member of several extracurricular activities at school, such as the Spanish Club and prom committee. She’s involved in speech, and recently, after returning from the Cities with Kate, Candy was on hand for some of Sammi’s speech matches. In the months that lie ahead, Candy and Kate will continue their trips to the Twin Cities. In the fall, Kate’s treatment plan will become one of interim maintenance, followed by the maintenance period lasting 2-1/2 years. Several computer systems available to them, at the clinic and the Ronald McDonald House where they often stay, keep them connected with family and friends here at home. While Kate gets recuperative sleep after treatments, Candy spends some of her time updating the journal at the Caring Bridge Web site. (See www.caringbridge.org/visit/katy
Stewart-James family puts its faith in God
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