On Christmas Eve I did something that I'll never forget. First I need to give you a backup story.
Back in October I heard a story about a girl from Anthem. Her name is Katie Wagner and she is a 16 year old sophomore at Boulder Creek High School. Early October she was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer. Not only that, she had many tumors and other cancer in her bladder, lungs, and pelvic area. Her proper diagnosis is called rhabdomysocarcoma and only about 1 in 5 million kids get it. Because of that, the prognosis is very low. She started chemo, lost her hair but with THOUSANDS of people and prayers with her story shared worldwide, her and her family have not lost their hope and faith. With a lot of medicating and chemo, her cancer had shrunk and the tumors have gone away 80%. They insist it's all the love and support received.
But couple of days before Christmas she had to go back to the E.R because her ANC level was at 0. Normal peoples are over 8000. Basically she had nothing at all fighting for her body and so she had to go to rely on machines to fight for her. They told Katie they wouldn't let her go home until her level was at least at 250. This was on Wednesday night, Christmas was on Sunday. Chances of her going home for Christmas were very slim.
I knew what hospital she was at. But I've never met Katie. I don't know Katie or her family personally. But I knew enough to care. Everyday since October I've checked her support page for updates on how shes been doing. I feel like I know her and her family enough. So the night before Christmas Eve , I planned that I would go drop of a present to be sent up for her. I didn't plan to meet anyone, just drop it off.
I got to Phoenix Children's hospital the evening of Christmas Eve and the lady at the front desk said there were no volunteers to take it , so she told me to go to the 7th floor to the desk there. The lady on the 7th floor desk asked me if I'd like her mom to some out and take the gift. I was scared, but I told her yes. She called Katie's room and told her ''there is a 17 year old girl here with a gift for Katie...'' and told me her dad would come get it.
About 5 minutes later 4 familiar faces were in my presence. Katie's mother, dad, brother and cousin came to meet me. I told them for my Christmas I wanted to do this for Katie. There were a lot of tears (of joy), hugs ,and good vibes. Understandably Katie was not well enough to be visited. I don't know what I would of said or done if I got to meet her anyway because she's so inspirational.
But what her mom and dad did was take a picture of me with a present, and her dad took the picture and present in to Katie, He came back with a picture of Kaite and the present. She had her little mask on and her hat. Katie, and anyone in her presence needed a mask because any germs could be so harmful. From Wednesday to that time, her ANC level was only 36, but it was better than nothing but chances were still too slim to be home for Xmas Even though the doctor promised if she got to even 150 he'd let her go home. From her chemo she also had a lot of sores in her mouth and wasn't talking much that day but her dad told me that she said ''tell her thank you.'' It was so heart warming and I really can't explain how it felt being there.
More of her family showed up and I met about 9 people that night. Even though I didn't meet Katie it was really one of the best nights ever. And her family actually sat and talked with me for a long time. They were the nicest and most positive people I have ever met and I love them for staying so strong though everything. After leaving I had a feeling that I never had and I felt like my life just changed. It was an incredible feeling.
The next morning was Christmas. I looked at Katie's page and read ''ANC LEVEL FLEW TO 176.'' Katie got to go home for Christmas..... <3
And the rest of my break sucked and I did nothing.
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