My goal: Run for something bigger than yourself.
On any given day, you can read a story about a sick child, children being separated from their parents, or photos of children affected by war; when you become a parent, these images or stories become so much more real. It could happen to any family in the world. I first heard Greta's story through my sister Stacy who shared a mutual friend with Greta's mom. I'd like to introduce Greta.
Greta was a happy, healthy energetic baby. Then she started having some vague symptoms, unexplained fever, a little nausea, less stamina - nothing serious but worrisome enough to make visits to the doctor. After some investigation and nothing showing up Lindsey(Mom) knew something was wrong. Family doctor then sent her to Alberta Children's Hospital. After various tests she went for an Ultrasound. That's when our world changed. They found a mass on her liver.
Just before she turned 2 years old, September 23, 2015 Greta was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma. This is a rare liver cancer found in fewer than 1 in a million children.
At the end of March 2016 – after 2 major surgeries, 10 chemotherapy sessions and endless pokes and procedures, she was done her treatment and had "no evidence of disease". The Oncologists said recurrence was unlikely. The family was overjoyed! They enjoyed the summer with Greta and her big brother Ben. Spending lots of time at the lake and watching her change from a baby to a little girl.
Then, on a routine follow up doctor visit, she had disturbing results from a blood test - it looked like the cancer was back. More tests and scans revealed that it was. The good news was that it had not metastasized. She started chemo all over again almost exactly a year after the first round and was told she would need a liver transplant.
The family traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio to receive treatment under Dr. Geller, a pediatric oncologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, who has a special interest in hepatoblastoma. Greta received her liver transplant in May 2017. She returned to Calgary at the end of June 2017 to be together as a family again. She spent her last months with family and friends, meeting princesses at Disneyland, and dancing as she was known for her amazing moves. Greta took her last breath snuggled between her Mama and Dada in September 2017.
Greta's story really hits home for me as a mom. Thank you for helping me support an organization that's dedicated to improving the quality of life for children like Greta and supporting their families.
