On January 1, 2010, my 2-year-old baby girl was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Several days before her diagnosis she began running a fever that would not break. I had Savannah at the doctor’s twice in the same week and they reassured me that it was cold and flu season and we should just let this run its course. On New Years Eve I watched Savannah and knew something was not right. Early New Years Day I took Savannah to the Emergency Room and the doctor made the decision to run a CBC on her. He came back about an hour later and said that her white blood cells were at 88,000 when they should be around 10,000. I had no idea what this meant so I asked what it could be and he said it could possibly be leukemia. The doctor also told us that an ambulance was on its way to take us to St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

We arrived at St. Christopher’s and were immediately taken up to the OTU. I remember walking in and seeing all the children and thinking no way, this is not right, my child doesn’t belong here. Later that night they came back with the diagnosis of AML. I think my heart stopped beating at that very moment. We began treatment immediately because Savannah was so sick. She needed 2 blood transfusions in the same night along with many platelets also. We spent the next 5 months inpatient at St. Christopher’s while Savannah received treatment.

Savannah is a hero to me because she never gave up. She woke up every day with a smile on her face even though the chemotherapy was sometimes unbearable. She showed me what true courage is, and the strength that she had to get through this is so amazing to her entire family. We are happy to say that she finished treatment and is currently in remission where the doctors feel confident that she will stay. We don’t know why this happened, but I do know my daughter has changed my life. I learned to let the little things go and to smile and laugh as much as possible.

Savannah is now 8 years old and celebrated 5 years cancer free in June 2015! We continue to see her cardiologist and oncologist every 6 months. At times I can't believe we made it through this. We thank God every day for our blessings!

Written by Sarah Hughes, Savannah’s Mother
Updated: September 2015