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Camille Ford's Fundraising Page
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This is our story:

As we headed out the door in the wee hours of the morning, I hesitantly mentioned, “Did you realize it’s Friday the 13th? Hope everything goes well.” I have never been a superstitious person, and don’t believe it really means anything…but our life was about to change. He reassured me all would be fine.

Shane, Brinly, and I were waiting in the pre-op area of a local hospital. Brinly was to have the over- a-year inflamed lymph node behind her left year removed. As we were waiting, we felt unsure we should even go through with the surgery. The lymph node had actually decreased in size over the previous week, so we were wondering if we were overreacting and about to spend a lot of money (yes, money seems to be our primary motivation in our lives at times).

Brinly was laying on a gurney under a blanket while a machine blew warm air to keep her comfortable. She was nervous, as was I. This was Shane’s norm, with the exception of his daughter and wife at his side. He was use to the surgery realm. We were not. Nor the unknown of what we were doing. Shane decided to get the opinion of a few of his colleagues while we were waiting. All were in agreeance; we decided to go through with the surgery. It finally felt right. We should do it.

As they rolled Brinly away, I felt a little shaky, but I my soul felt peace. Brinly smiled as they rolled her away! She was grateful she didn’t have to have an IV until AFTER they sedated her. It was a relatively quick procedure, though I felt like it took forever. Shane went to attend to his work duties while I waited in the waiting area. After about an hour or more, the nurse asked us to come wait in a little closet of a room. A few minutes later, the Dr. came to report his findings. He still wasn’t sure what it as, but said it was necrotic. He opened it up after removing it. He explained it could be a salivary gland, as it was connected to some salivary tubes. He finished with, “We will run a bunch of tests, including cancer, but I really don’t think it is cancer.”

Soon, they told us she was in post-op, but wasn’t awake yet. Technically, they didn’t allow parents to come in until after the patient has awakened, but Shane was welcomed in. I was grateful he could be with her as she awoke. Once she awoke, Shane brought me back. She was happy and hungry (she had to fast for the surgery). I don’t recall if they gave her a popsicle or what, but I’m sure they gave her something. But Shane had better plans (he promised to take her to the doctor’s lounge to eat whatever was there). First, I needed to get her dressed. She was still a little loopy, but I prompted her to get her clothes on. Once she was ready to put her pants on, she started to stand up on the gurney! I had to coax her to sit back down to complete the task. Once she finished, she was seated in a wheelchair, and we headed to the doctor’s lounge.

I felt a little embarrassed as we went through the key pad secured door labeled “Doctor’s Only”, but Shane assured me it was fine (though he kept looking around to ensure no one was near). Once inside, Shane told Brinly she could eat whatever was available at the buffet or refrigerators. I now knew what Shane was eating every single day- sausage, eggs, muffins (the type I call cupcakes), pastries, etc. A typical hotel style buffet, though he assured me it wasn’t the same every day. Brinly ate what she could, which wasn’t much. She was still lethargic.

We then went to the car and headed home. She had a nice 2” incision behind her ear, but all went well She could rest and begin to heal.

A week went by and we still hadn’t heard any results of the biopsy. I called the general surgeon’s office several times, but they said they didn’t have the results yet and that the doctor was out of town. We were thinking, “no news is good news”. By Thursday, Shane said he was going to talk to the pathologist directly, as her father not a Physician Assistant (Hippa violations), if we didn’t get any news today. So, Shane talked to the pathologist.

Shane immediately called me to share what he had discovered. The pathologist said they sent the results over to the surgeon’s office on Monday, and he was surprised they hadn’t called. He also said he wouldn’t share, that we needed to hear it from the doctor directly and indicated that it was critical we get the results right away. Shane insisted he send the results to Brinly’s pediatrician, who worked right there at the hospital and was our friend and fellow church member (a stake president).k

I kept busy and was in the midst of my garden preparation. Holli, Porter and I had planted a bunch of little start seeds, labeling them 1/20/17. Then we began to put together my little green house to provide a safe home for the little starts. It needed a little TLC, so I brought it inside to do a little repair work. I began to have this worried feeling, and was overcome with emotion. Something told me something wasn’t right. I didn’t know what, but something. Through my tears, I began to pray. I prayed hard. I told the Lord that whatever His will, we will do it, but I was scared. I told Him that if He needed to take Brinly, we would let him, despite our desires. It was an overwhelming moment. Fear enveloped me, but then as I finished my prayer, I felt peace. The Lord would be with us through whatever we needed to experience.

It wasn’t until later that afternoon, Shane came home early. It surprised me, as he usually informs me when he’s on his way home (he had a 30 minute commute at the time). He didn’t even say hello, but went straight to the bathroom. I immediately knocked on the door, asking if he had heard anything. He cracked the door open to tell me he had, and he would let me know in a minute. At this point, I could tell he was emotionally upset, and began to be very concerned. Why hadn’t he called me??

After some time, he came out and closed out bedroom door. He sat down on our bed and attempted to tell me something. Finally, he began to explain. He said he was about to go into surgery and Brinly’s pediatrician called. He said he had the results of the biopsy and needed to give him the results, but needed to do it in person. The pediatrician’s office was across the street from the hospital, so he offered to walk over as soon as possible. In the mean time, Shane was working, but still waiting to begin the surgery on schedule. Soon, the pediatrician came, Shane stepped out, and the results were given. It was Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Nodular Sclerosis (initial diagnosis; later it was changed to Nodular Lymphocyte Predomoniant Hodgkins Lymphoma). It was rare in children her age, but very treatable. He left asking which hospital he wanted to be referred to, MD Anderson or Texas Children’s; he chose the latter. At this point, Shane was waiting for the official offer on a position at Texas Children’s, which he would actually accept later that day (which turned out to be a major blessing). Oh, the tender mercies of God!

 

Shane was went back to work for a few minutes. Then his co-worker, wondered what was up, and Shane broke down while explaining. Shane assured him he could stay and work, but he insisted he go home.

Shane was very, very emotional at this point. I was not at all, mostly in shock. I just held Shane and comforted him as we discussed everything. Then, I went into research mode to figure out exactly what we were dealing with.

Things began to be very busy. The following week (January 27th) we met with her oncologist for the first time. Then all the tests began, followed by more surgeries, followed by treatment, all ending in August 2017.

There are a few more things I wanted to document. First, we decided to tell the kids later that day. First, we told Brinly. She didn’t react much, except wanted to cuddle with me. Then, we all sat down and we told everyone. At that point, Brinly had her head on my lap and was whimpering.

Later, we had several discussions about what this meant. At one point she said she was scared of dying and at another point her biggest fear was losing her hair.

Several months later, after additional testing, additional inflamed and excised lymph nodes, she started chemotherapy. It wasn’t a long treatment, compared to most, but it wasn’t exactly pleasant either. In July, she was finished and had her portacatheter removed in August.

She is now 3 years in remission. Her cancer has a high chance of relapse. We still remember, worry, and still pray for optimal health. But we live life as normal as possible and look for the tender mercies that fill our lives.

Although Brinly has finished treatment, many, many, many children are suffering with this disease. We ask for any willing to help remember those children, especially those still fighting, this month.

 
ABOUT 2020 Lace Up For Kids

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and is globally represented by the color gold. Lace Up for Kids is my commitment to wear gold laces and raise money for Solving Kids’ Cancer to ensure the most promising research for aggressive pediatric cancers. Anyone that donates to my page will receive gold shoelaces in support of kids fighting cancer and the need for childhood cancer research. 

Lace Up for Kids with cancer, take a pic, share your laces on social media, and tag Solving Kids' Cancer!

#LaceUpForKids #CareWearShare

Supporters
Name Date Amount Comments
Brinly Ford 09/30/2020 $100.00  
Kristina Kotlus 09/07/2020 $100.00 Keep shining!
  Total $200.00  
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