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Tiffany's Smile
By Sarah L Tagert
Saturday, November 23, 2002
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Tiffany was such a special child, infectious laugh, cheery outlook, despite her circumstances. To look at her, you would never know just how dismal her life really was. Tiffany had been orphaned three months ago. She had been thriving in her foster home when she suddenly started failing in school, sleeping most of her time at home and rapidly losing weight. The diagnosis of cancer had devastated her parents, Greg and Carrie, but Tiffany never lost her sunny outlook. Through all the procedures and test Tiffany kept reassuring her parents she would be ok. Greg and Carrie tried to stay strong her, at her bedside day and night, except to steal away for a few tears they could no longer keep in.
After six weeks came another round of tests to see how the treatments were working. That afternoon the oncologist talked to Greg and Carrie. “We’re going to have to try a different approach. Her cancer isn’t responding to the treatments we are currently using. There is still hope for recovery, but chances are fading”.
The new treatments were a lot more aggressive and caused more nausea and vomiting. Tiffany started to weaken, and had to start spending most of her time in bed, but she still had a smile for every doctor or nurse that came into her room. A month later brought more tests and anxious waiting. When the oncologist entered the room, he brought better news, “ The treatments are shrinking the cancer”
At this her parents embraced, tears of joy streaming down both of their cheeks. When they tucked Tiffany into her bed at home that night, she told them what she had been all along, “ I’m going to be ok”
On the day of Tiffany’s last treatment, a chapter in her life was put behind her, and a new chapter started, her adoption to Greg and Carrie became final. She came home to stay.
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