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All of the gold, silver and jewels that will be given to
mothers all across the country today will not compare with the gift that
Ryann May received.
On Thursday, her 18-month old daughter, Hadley, received the last of 42
chemotherapy treatments and is now cancer free. There's no greater gift that
a mother could receive.
On Saturday, Hadley, dressed all in happy pink, was running around the yard,
bouncing balls and playing with her dog Rocky.
Her squeals of delight brought smiles to the faces of mom and dad and her
doting grandparents.
Unless one noticed the prosthesis on her right arm, no one would guess what
the toddler has been through these past 10 months.
Tony and Ryann May know that have been richly blessed.
First by the birth of a precious baby girl and then by the miracles of
modern medicine, countless prayers and the grace of God that have helped her
win her battle with cancer.
"A few years ago, this cancer might not have been detected as early as it
was," Tony said. "So much has been done through research as far as diagnosis
and treatment. It's just a miracle."
She's just a miracle.
Little Hadley May was born with a tumor on her right arm - rhapdomyosarcoma
- a big word for such a tiny baby.
However, at first the bruise on her arm was thought to be a birthmark but,
when a knot slowly began to grow, there was reason for concern.
Doctor visits and scores of tests determined that the
bouncing, bubbly 8-month-old had cancer.
"We didn't expect that at all," Ryann said. "At first we were so shocked, so
upset, so devastated that we didn't know what to think or to do. Then, we
started working toward getting her well. We were so thankful that there was
something that could be done."
Hope upon hope was that the cancer could be cured with chemotherapy - that
little Hadley would not lose her arm. But that was not to be.
In November, Hadley's cancerous right arm was amputated above her elbow.
"As hard as was to see her lose her arm, we were so thankful that it could
be done," Ryann said. "The key to successfully getting rid of the cancer was
surgery. Losing her arm meant saving her life. The doctors told us with
cancer like Hadley's and with the amputation, her chances of ever getting
cancer again is less than 5 percent."
The Mays and little Hadley were again blessed that she went through the
treatments with few bouts of sickness.
"There were a few days but most of the time she did really well," Ryann
said. "We went back and forth to Children's Hospital in Birmingham once a
week during all those months of treatment. And, every third week, she had a
strong dosage of chemotherapy and had to stay in the hospital.
"That didn't bother her at all. She has grown up in the hospital. All of the
nurses know her and they all love her. And, they have been so wonderful. We
appreciate everything that has been done for Hadley and for us."
When Hadley went for her treatment this week, mom and dad thought she had
three more treatments to go.
"I guess we miscounted," Tony said. "Because when she was finished, they
told us it was her last treatment."
Hearing those words was the best Mother's Day present
anyone could have given Ryann.
"Hadley won't have to go back until June 2," she said. "It will be so good
to stay home for a while. I know that she will be as happy as we are."
Hadley couldn't be much happier than she was Saturday afternoon. Smiles,
giggles, squeals - and one little outcry - said that Hadley May is a typical
18-month-old. She just happens to have been through an ordeal that no child
should ever have to endure.
For the rest of her life, she will carry the "scar" of the disease. The myo-electric
arm she is quickly learning to use will be a frequent reminder of the battle
she fought and won. It will also be a reminder that, through research, much
is being done on the battlefront and that battles are being won every day.
Little Hadley May, all dressed in pink, doesn't look like a warrior. But she
is. And on this Mother's Day, she is wearing the laurel wreath. Her battle
has been won. |
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