An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings
A True Inspiration
In this post, I touched on heroes and hero worship. This is the story of a REAL hero…
Emily Whitworth, 12, is always thinking about others.
“She’s would go up to the nursing home and read to the people who are blind,” said Elia Whitworth, Emily’s mother.
Pretty remarkable considering other kids in her situation might find it hard to think outside their own problems.
“When I was four I was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor and it was in my right kidney,” Emily said.
Two years later, the cancer came back in her lungs. The following year, there was more cancer. This time it was in her diaphragm.
“Just remembering everything, you know, it’s hard,” Emily said.
She had three bouts of cancer, and all three times the young girl beat it.
“She’s lost her hair three times,” Whitworth said. “… We would go to places and I would say ‘put your cap on’ or ‘put your hat.’
But Whitworth said she would reply, “Oh, I don’t care mom. I don’t care if people stare.”
Five years ago, Emily had a stem cell transplant and was in remission ever since. But, last month, doctors found another tumor in her thyroid.
Emily said she was surprised by the discovery. But, only one week since her last surgery, she is bouncing back again. As she prepared for a fourth round of radiation Wednesday, she headed to the salon first.
“My mom says to cut like 12 inches,” Emily told her stylist.
Emily’s sandy, curly tresses were going to Locks of Love. She said she hopes to spare another kid from the empty stares she got.
“I just think it helps their confidence,” Emily said.
For those struggling, Emily shared some words of wisdom.
“You just got to believe that you’re going to keep going,” she said. “And just keep your head up and keep fighting.”
Wow!! Thoughts and prayers to Emily and her family.
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What an amazing young lady!