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Caitlyn | Maryanne
Maryanne's Story
written by mom Sheryl
Maryanne was always a happy, healthy child,
weighing 8 lbs 6 ounces at birth. That is until November 2001 when she was
six years old she started getting flu like symptoms. Nothing really unusual,
except she wouldn't eat. She was extremely weak and was having leg and back
pain and a fever that wouldn't go away. We were told it was a virus that had
to run its course.
After many trips to the Doctor, on my 13th anniversary, December 18th, 2001 we
were told she had cancer. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Maryanne was on treatment for two and a half years and she really did quite
well. It has now been over 5 years of remission (January 17, 2002). It's
been quite a journey! We have so much to be thankful for. Over the last 5
years she was the poster child for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Pennies
For Patients".
We all took a trip to the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont for her "Make
A Wish" trip in October 2003. The lodge is owned by the VonTrapp family from
"The Sound Of Music".
We moved out of Massachusetts and into our own home in Indiana in September
2006. Maryanne is now a ball of
fire! Very active and even tried out for basketball in her new school. She
didn't get picked but I was so proud she wanted to try. She loves Indiana,
but misses her oldest brother Michael who is now 23 and still in
Massachusetts. He did get to come here in January for her 5th year
celebration, so she was happy.
She's made so many friends but her best friend, looks just like her! Very
confusing when they are running around the yard. It's amazing!!
She's so grown up (too grown up), she wants to wear makeup and cannot
understand why I won't let her wear it. She's addicted to hair spray LOL,
and even feels the need to shave her legs (although she doesn't have enough
hair yet to shave). She is the leader of all the kids in the house (in her
eyes).
Her follow up care is now at Riley Hospital For Children in Indianapolis and
she does miss New England Medical Center Floating Hospital For Children.
She's seen every 3 months now and continues to do great!
She needs to work on her cleaning skills before the wrecking team gets to
her room. If you ever need to find her you just have to follow the mess. She
leaves a trail wherever she goes and then wonders why she can't find
anything.
I am so happy for the wonderful supportive people Maryanne has been able to
know, and so thankful for those people that she doesn't know personally but
have stuck by her. All the cards, gifts, prayers and well wishes from all
the MACS community have been great and she LOVES getting them. All of you
have been blessings to us all.
Please continue to pray for Maryanne's continued health, it's been the
greatest gift of all.
Abilities:
See: Yes.
Hear: Yes.
Talk: Yes.
Walk: Yes.
Read: Yes.
Use hands: Yes.
Siblings:
brother Michael, age 24
brother Shaun, age 18
sister Stephanie, age 16
sister Michayla, age 11
brother Stephen, age 9
Child's Interests:
Maryanne likes Country and Christian music. Playing outside with friends,
singing, computers, drawing and coloring. TV shows: "Full House", "That's So
Raven" "Hannah Montana" and "American Idol".
Sibling's Interests:
Shaun likes wrestling, video games & computers.
Stephanie likes writing and drawing, word search puzzles, and the TV show
Seventh Heaven.
Michayla enjoys Full House, coloring, drawing and writing in cursive.
Stephen likes Monster Trucks, NASCAR, SpongeBob, coloring, drawing and
learning about God.
Click HERE
for recent updates on Maryanne
(use the "Search" box on the sidebar of that page
to find updates on this particular child)
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