Child’s Perseverance Inspires a Mom
A single mother in her early twenties at the time, Sarah Highsmith felt overwhelmed when her then 4 year-old daughter Ciera was diagnosed with astrocytoma, a form of brain cancer. “It was scary for me because I was young. I didn’t have anyone in my corner with me. I didn’t have a shoulder to cry on.”
Sarah remembers picking up Ciera from daycare one day in late winter of 2004. While walking to catch a bus, Ciera suddenly let go of her mother’s hand, turned toward a parking lot gate and started speaking incoherently. She became stiff and her eyes rolled back in her head. Startled, Ciera’s mom thought to herself, “Something is wrong with my baby!”
Though she recovered from the seizure, more followed and a medical evaluation revealed that Ciera’s seizure was caused by a malignant brain tumor the size of a baseball. Not only was the diagnosis devastating for Ciera’s mom, but trying to absorb all of the medical information being presented to her was also very overwhelming.
What followed over a period of several years were multiple surgeries and hospitalizations due to complications and infections. In early 2010, Ciera received radiation treatment followed by chemotherapy which began in September of 2010. Now 10 years-old, Ciera currently visits the Valerie Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey with her mom once a week for treatment. She is in the 4th grade and loves to paint and do arts and crafts.
At first it was difficult for Ciera to adjust to the treatment. “It was a fight for her.” said Sarah. However, over time Ciera acclimated to the environment and grew accepting of the treatment protocol. While the Valerie Center staff were instrumental in helping Ciera adjust, Pediatric Oncology Social Worker, Naomi Rosenholtz credits Ciera’s mom with her daughter’s adjustment. “Her mom is so accepting of her and accepting of who she is and that has helped her.” said Naomi.
Though she managed to complete her high school education at home after Ciera was diagnosed, she had to put off plans to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and she has not been able to work due to Ciera’s illness and the demands of caring for Ciera’s little brothers. When asked about the additional challenge of caring for two young children, Sarah said, “Oh, it’s a handful. It’s a job because they are boys but I love being a mother for my kids. They keep me on my toes but I love it! I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.”
Making ends meet has not been easy for the family. Because Sarah is unable to work due to her daughter’s illness, the family lives on a subsistence income and recently fell behind on phone and utility bills which resulted in their phone being shut off. Given Ciera’s medical condition, a working phone was an absolute necessity. With not enough money available even for basic needs, Family Reach Foundation intervened by providing a grant to pay the phone and electric bills and to provide funds for some basic household items. Ciera’s mom was deeply grateful for the grant from Family Reach Foundation. “I was overwhelmed with joy! I was happy! I was amazed that I was getting some help with bills that I was behind on! I was very appreciative. It really did help me and my family out.”
While she hopes to return to school one day to better herself and her family, Sarah’s attitude toward her life situation is one of acceptance. She recognizes that her experience has enabled her to help other moms with children who have cancer. While at first it was difficult to talk about her daughter’s medical condition, over time Sarah became more comfortable talking to other moms. “Because of going through this, I feel I can help another mom out there.”
Her daughter also helps Sarah to maintain a positive perspective. Ciera’s perseverance and resilience in the face of illness is a source of inspiration. “She is a miracle. She has inspired me. Being an adult, I don’t think I could have handled it as well.”
