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Keeping The Faith
By Jessica Taloney Reporter
Published: Fri, July 04, 2008 - 4:29 pm
Jessica Taloney
Five-year-old Colette Pate knows that all too well. In 2005, she was diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma. She spent 300 days splitting her time between the Children's Hospital in Birmingham and USA Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile.
"I was in the hosptial for Fourth of July, and I was in the hospital for Christmas," says Colette.
Colette's mom, Tammy Pate, says some of the hardest times in the hospital were the holidays. "All of our friends and family were getting together and having fun, and we couldn't be there," she said.
Today, Colette is cancer free, but she hasn't forgotten what it is like to miss out on the fireworks and fun, so Colette and her family are throwing a patriotic party for kids in the cancer ward at the same hospital where Colette recieved much of her treatment.
"I don't want them to be sick in the hospital forever," said Colette about the kids she'll be surprising. Colette and her family have made throwing parties for patients at USA Children's and Women's hospital one of their favorite holiday traditions. On Thanksgiving, her mom organized a huge dinner with real china and silverware! Tammy Pate has also created a support group for mom's of cancer kids called "Chemo Moms of Mobile". For more information email Tammy at chemomoms@yahoo.com or visit her blog here.
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I’ve seen two or three cases in the past with children of the same age and younger who did not make it as Colett was fortunate to have. It was gut wrenching to watch as they slowly died and suffered. You just walk in a mental maze wondering WHY,WHY,WHY! Way to do it Colett! Shoot for that five year mark now and then run past that 7 years mark! The very best luck for you and may you succeed in all your endeavors.