Howdy! This is Bristol, a steadfast warrior who has earned the title, “Bristol the Pistol” due to his perpetual triumphs and incessant desire to live life to the fullest no matter what obstacles come his way! His battle began in 2015 as a rambunctious toddler who began to experience vague symptoms that made his pediatrician suspicious. After a few rounds of testing, his parents were given the news that no parent ever dreams of hearing. Bristol had cancer. B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) to be exact. This rare type of cancer that was once not thought of, has become a common term in Bristol’s home. Aggressive treatment began immediately and he had the love and support of friends and family with him from the start. He has now endured 38 months of treacherous treatment that is never easy for a child to endure. Chemotherapy, blood work, spinal taps and never-ending physician visits. However, Bristol takes on every challenge with a can-do attitude and that positivity and vigor is what has kept him overcoming. During this process, Bristol was also given the diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy. The addition of this diagnosis has not slowed him down. His spunky personality is what gets his through and gives others the desire to help him heal. Bristol is a true fighter who has proven that a country boy can survive. He loves riding horses, John Deere tractors and enjoying all that the great outdoors have to offer including fishing, hunting and camping. A hat and cowboy boots have always been part of his favorite attire. A spectacular dream bedroom makeover is just what the doctor ordered to keep him smiling ear to ear!

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This radiant beauty is Caliyah. She received the bedroom makeover of her dreams. Caliyah a is spirited and poised four-year old. She loves the splendor of glitz and glamour. He favorite things to do include dressing up, doing her make-up, watching You Tube tutorials for applying make-up and of course, magical unicorns with sparkling horns. In her spare time, she enjoys producing videos of her own and she is quite the star. She certainly shines bright and loves to inspire others. Her sweet nature and perseverance are moving indeed. This year, Caliyah experienced a horrific tragedy that changed her life forever. She was severely burned in a grease fire that started in the kitchen. She suffered third degree burns on her face and arms. The pain she suffered was so tremendous that doctors put her into a medically induced coma. She spent a month receiving intensive care in the hospital followed by rigorous physical therapy.

She missed her preschool graduation ceremony since she was hospitalized, but the school and hospital joined forces to bring a special graduation ceremony of her own right to her room. Being able to enjoy the rite of passage of graduating preschool really lifted her spirits. Although Caliyah is making great progress, she has a long road of recovery ahead of her. Her scars are still healing and she is not able to go in direct sunlight. Sunshine on a Ranney Day gave her the glamorous bedroom makeover of her dreams! It promises to be as beautiful as she is!

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This precious girl with the sweet smile and darling little curls is Jocelyn. On her third birthday, her parents noticed what appeared to be a glare in her right eye. They thought maybe they were imagining it, but both saw it and knew they needed to get her to the pediatrician. The pediatrician referred them to The Thomas Eye Group for a comprehensive examination. They were quickly told that there were atypical cells in her eye and that she needed to see a specialist right away. After seeing the specialist, they were told she had a mass in her eye. They referred her to Dr. Hubbard who is well known for retinal care. After this third examination, they finally had a diagnosis; retinoblastoma. Cancer. This diagnosis was devastating to say the least. They also found that she had a tumor on her pineal gland and one large tumor with severe seeding within the soft tissue of her eye. Heartbroken and scared, her parents sought for answers as to what would come next. What would the treatment plan be? Would they have to remove her eye? After much consideration, they decided to fight the battle to try to save her eye. The plan was six months of chemo therapy through a port. She endured chemo treatments twice per month as well as eye exams under anesthesia. Chemo therapy was tough on her petite body. Not only did she lose her hair, but also her energy and the joys of childhood. The treatment was working. They found that the cancer was controlled and the tumor on the pineal gland was shrinking.

However, within two short months it returned and was more aggressive. Dr. Hubbard decided that she needed intra-arterial chemo. They placed Jocelyn under anesthesia again for this procedure that placed a small tube through her thigh, up through her heart to right behind her eye. This allowed for the chemo to be delivered directly to her eye via her own blood flow. Due to an adverse reaction that only happens in 0.01% of kids, Jocelyn lost her vision and her eye swelled significantly. This swelling lasted four months and they were unsure of what the course of action would be. It only took one month for the cancer to return and it spread rapidly. The new plan of treatment was injections of chemo directly into the eye while she was under anesthesia. At first it worked, but after only three treatments they found numerous tiny tumors referred to as seeds were spreading throughout her eye. The doctor reported that it was so severe that it could possibly spread to other parts of the body. The most significant concern was that it could eventually spread to the brain via the optic nerve. They continued to fight to save her eye with laser treatments and cryotherapy, but ultimately to save her life and spare her from losing vision in her left eye, they decided it was time to remove the eye itself. This decision was the most difficult of all. Knowing that this could affect her confidence later in life, they struggled with the thought of her living a fulfilled life without her right eye. They imagined her on her prom night wondering why she had to endure this. However, they quickly concluded that she already lost her vision and was at risk of losing her life. The wisest decision was to remove the eye to save her life. They fought hard to try to save the eye and attempted every available option; but, saving her beautifully cherished life was the only choice in the end. As they look toward a bright future, they look forward to her prom night where she will shine radiantly; and, they can bask in the greatness of all of the wonderful moments they share. Not only did they celebrate Jocelyn and her dream bedroom makeover, her reveal was on Veterans Day (observed) 2018. Jocelyn’s father is a proud soldier in the United States Marine Corps. From Jocelyn’s dad: “I am currently a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. I’ve served in the reserves for 18.5 years. During this time my greatest honor has been able to serve with the finest Marines a person could hope to serve with. We were never perfect, but we always made an incredible team. I was deployed twice to Iraq. The first time, I withdrew from my college classes and had the privilege to serve with a unit that earned the Presidential Citation award. I was on-the-spot meritorious promoted to Cpl after my first deployment. I was deployed again and fell in with another incredible unit. We always meet mission and improved the area that we were in. We were awarded the Navy Unit Citation. I was awarded a combat meritorious promotion to Staff Sergeant during this time. I have been fortunate enough to serve on many funeral honors in every position; to playing the bugle, firing squad member, squad leader, and flag presenter…It has been a humbling experience to be there when our nation’s heroes are laid to rest for the final time…I’ve also been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps. Commendation Medal for my time while serving in a Supply Chief status and my outstanding performance in carrying out the functions and duties of Logistical Chief at the same time. I have earned a Brown Belt in the Marine Corps. Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). I’ve also earned my sixth award for the Selected Marine Corps. Reserve Medal. During the times of deployment the Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Two Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and Iraq Campaign Medal with two stars was awarded. In addition to these I also have been awarded 4 Certificates of Commendations, 3 Letters of appreciation, and one Meritorious Mast.” Sunshine on a Ranney Day is proud to have designed an amazing dream room makeover specifically for Jocelyn.

This dainty beauty is Liliana. She is full of life and joy. Her smile is contagious and melts the hearts of those who work with her. She loves Disney princesses, dancing, singing, swimming and playing with her favorite toys. She enjoys going to school and aspires to be a nurse and a rock-star when she grows up. Luckily for the world, rock-stars and nurses are in high demand!

At the young age of 5, Liliana has fought more battles than most of us endure through adulthood.  When she was three-years-old, her parents were hit with the devastating news that she had cancer. The moment surreal when a team of doctors uttered that horrific word. Cancer. An Oncologist gave her the official diagnosis of B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It was in the spring of 2016 when she began to become more pale and weak, oftentimes not even able to walk the distance from the driveway to the front door without asking to be carried. She was still an upbeat and happy child, but was not as active during normal play time with Emma her older sister. She had developed a slight limp without any known traumatic injury. A few days prior to her diagnosis, she had two spontaneous nose bleeds which led to a visit with the pediatrician and then urgently to the ER.

The first month was extremely difficult; new chemotherapy drugs were administered via a surgically implanted port in her chest, spine, or mouth. The first phase included twice daily steroids which completely changed her physically and emotionally. The steroids caused wild emotional swings and physically changed her appearance so drastically that she was unrecognizable. She lost so much muscle in her legs, that she was not able to walk for a few weeks. She progressed through the protocol like a champ and did not complain a lot, even when receiving meds that caused horrible side effects. She was hospitalized right before her birthday (Christmas day) that first year for mucositis, an inflammation causing ulcers on the mucosal surfaces from her mouth all the way through her intestinal system. She was not able to eat for ten days, but was released from the hospital just before her birthday!  She adjusted to having a bald head with confidence and little concern of how people would react to her appearance. As a Georgia born girl, her family called her “Peach” when some fuzz began to appear. An adoring nickname that suits her well.

The decision to allow Liliana to attend school was not taken lightly. Fear of illness compromising her immune system delayed her attendance for one year. Onocologists encouraged her attendance so she could experience as normal a life as possible. The transition was successful. She enjoyed attending school, connected with teachers and friends and loved learning new things. She often missed school due to illness or doctor’s visits. At times, she stayed home to avoid rampant viruses such as the flu when they are circulating the school. 

The second year into treatment, Liliana began to experience skin rashes, infections and abscesses due to her suppressed immune system. Several months into her maintenance phase, the Oncologists realized that her liver was getting harmed more severely than most kids on similar doses of chemotherapy. Her body metabolized the medications differently causing a severe hepatitis and gallbladder issues. She struggled with severe abdominal pain and vomiting for several weeks before they could come to a conclusion as to what to do. They added another drug to her regimen to hopefully reduce the toxicity of the one drug, but it also had its share of side effects. Her liver enzymes did improve, but her platelets and hemoglobin dropped so severely, that they had to hold her medication for one to two weeks of every four week cycle.

Liliana loves the doctors, nurses and staff at the Aflac Clinic and eagerly looks forward to their smiling faces, despite her fear of the pokes and prodding. She has shown tremendous bravery and handled all that she has had to go through with a hop in her step and a song on her lips. At her young age, all she knows is a life of cancer treatments, hospital visits, and daily medications. She knows that she needs to avoid germs and wear a mask at times. She does not think ahead to the distant future, but enjoys the here and now, which is evident to all who come in contact with her.

Photography by Dinah Sutton Photography

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Mason is a rare gem of a kid with a very rare form cancer. He is unique, loving, and has always been an old soul, wise beyond his years. He enjoys spending time with his 5 siblings (Mason is the 4th of 6 kids), his parents, and his best friend-a puppy named Mickey. Mason’s interests are vast and captivating,  ranging from listening to the Beatles to exploring vintage cars to building every Star Wars Lego set he can find with his brothers and mom. 

Mason was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma just three weeks after his 9th birthday in July of 2017, making him only the 49th case of this form of cancer in a child nine years of age or younger. After the diagnosis of his primary tumor and with the rarity of this form of cancer, Mason and his parents travelled to several out-of-state high volume Sarcoma centers in search of the best Sarcoma team and treatment plan to save his life. Having never been on a plane before, Mason took nine flights within the six weeks following his diagnosis.  Often he and his mom were alone in hotels and hospital rooms hundreds of miles away from the rest of his family. Mason underwent a surgical lung biopsy out of state that unfortunately was unsuccessful and resulted in the hemorrhage of his lung. The following week, he endured a surgical sentinel node biopsy to further assess the possibility of metastasis. During the short time lapse between when Mason’s tumor was initially seen on MRI and while he was being staged and seeking a treatment plan, a follow up MRI showed that Mason’s tumor had increased in volume by 65%. Within days of receiving those results, he and his family traveled to Boston to meet an experienced Sarcoma team. It was determined that this team was the most qualified team with the best plan to effectively treat Mason’s cancer with the best chance at a good quality of life. Later that week, he had his fourth surgery since being diagnosed and his port was put in. Within a few hours of that surgery, he began the first round of the very strong neoadjuvent chemotherapy regimen. The side effects of chemo took him out of school, away from his friends, and often on isolation from even his siblings as they left him vulnerable to possibly life-threatening infections.

Chemotherapy took a significant toll on his fragile body.  Nearly every round of chemo he underwent resulted in unplanned trips to the ER and additional hospital admissions due to serious illnesses and complications. During the time he was on chemo, Mason missed many fun events and social activities including camp, birthday parties, trick or treating on Halloween, holiday celebrations and playing on his school’s basketball team. This was disappointing, but he never let it get him down and continued to fight like a true warrior.

After several months of chemo in Atlanta, Mason and his mom returned to Boston, away from the rest of their family, for his big surgery. Boston became their home for the month of November as Mason underwent extensive tumor excision surgery which included the rebuilding of his medial knee and part of his leg to remove his tumor. After surgery, Mason was confined to an immobilizing leg brace and used a wheelchair to get around. He began extensive physical therapy and vestibular rehabilitation to regain balance and the use of his leg. Mason was determined to stand, walk, and regain the mobility he had lost. He worked hard and pushed through the pain and challenges he endured, including having a non-healing surgical wound battling recurrent staph infections.  Mason has rose above the many setbacks faced due to his unwavering determination to regain his mobility.  The surgical wound took 4.5 months to heal completely after his tumor excision surgery.

After Mason completed his chemotherapy, his family adopted his new best friend and faithful companion, a Boston Terrier puppy named Mickey. Mason longed for a puppy for several years.  Given the miraculous treatment he received in Boston, the city held special meaning to Mason.  As a result, he thought it was quite fitting to choose a Boston Terrier.  The bond between Mickey and Mason in heartwarming and unbreakable!

Although Mason’s progress has exceeded his doctors’ expectations in many ways, his future and prognosis remain uncertain. Each day is truly a blessing and he and his family celebrate every victory!

Photography by Niki Murphy Photography

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