Joanne Roderick Lee
My family was first introduced to the Children's Cancer Center within the
1st 6 months of my daughter's diagnosis. Samantha was 6 years old at that
time and in the 1st grade. She was a very smart, happy and - I thought -
healthy little girl. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on
February 1st, 2006. Our lives were turned upside down over night with
constant inpatient visits to the hospital with chemo, constant pain and
fevers. It was a horrific time in our lives. No one in our extended family
or our friends could understand what we were feeling. WE didn't understand
what we were feeling. We were
scared, no we were petrified and we were
lost.
The first time we attended the CCC, Samantha and Matthew (then 3 years old) and I went to a "Lil' Tales" group one Tuesday morning. It was the 1st of many. What I found there, I could never have found elsewhere.not in a hospital waiting room and not in my own living room. What I found there was acceptance and understanding. I spent time with moms who only had days left with their child and with those who just didn't know what was coming next. It was a harsh reality for me because I was in denial. The truth was I was one of them. I went in with an intense fear and so many questions. I left each week with a feeling of belonging; the fear was still there as were some questions, but each week these incredible people ("Cancer Moms", CCC staff and volunteers) helped me deal with it. We shared lots of tears, hugs and laughs as I got to know each other and their kids. While our sick children played with other kids with cancer and their siblings, they felt at home, they laughed and played and had fun. They felt loved and they felt comfortable. No one looked at you funny there. No one got mad at you when you freaked out because your high doses of steroids made you cranky, sad, starving and nauseous, all at the same time. You and your kids were completely accepted, no exceptions.
We also regularly attended the "Oncology Support" group where parents,
cancer kids and siblings of all ages came together to eat, talk, laugh and
cry. We have lots of memories of these group nights. Because Samantha was
out of school a lot due to her suppressed immune system and the chemo making
her feel so sick, she longed for these nights. She could be feeling
terrible but if she knew it was "CCC night" she suddenly felt much better
and wanted to go. The CCC employees 
and volunteers were incredible with the
kids. Not once did we feel different or pitied. No one gave that "Oh that
poor child" look. And that was really important for us. Sam was so self
conscience and we didn't need to be anywhere else where she felt out of
place. We never felt uncomfortable at the Children's Cancer Center. It was
our extended family and we all longed for those nights where we would see
our friends, check in on everyone and hear how they were doing. For me, it
was my lifeline for a long time and no matter how tired I was or how sick
Sam felt; I felt we really NEEDED to be there.
We also attended "FLIGHT Camp" where our families camped out in cabins, did arts and crafts, ate, danced, laughed and really just forget about how frightening this whole world we were living in really was. Despite the fear, we had a lot of laughs and established such great friendships. We really enjoyed our time there with, and away from, our kids. It was important for the kids and for the grown ups.
The "S.O.A.R." group is our newest family at the CCC. Samantha, now 10 years old and 18 months off treatment, is a Survivor. I believe the S.O.A.R. group for Samantha, and the rest of us, is an important part of our lives at this point as we adjust to life after cancer. Sam may have learning issues because of the chemotherapy she received. She may feel different than other "normal" kids. She may fear relapse. I believe the S.O.A.R. group will be there for us, just as the other programs were. Samantha is also excited to be part of the "Teen Group" once she is old enough and also wants to volunteer when she gets into high school.The Children's Cancer Center is a place I am forever thankful for and one I will never forget, for they helped my family through the darkest days of our lives.