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Shiaterrica Williams: beating bone cancer
The school called her mother, Denise Cunningham, to come and pick her up. Mrs. Cunningham asked her daughter about her leg, and Shiaterrica showed her the area where it was hurting. When her mother saw a large knot on her leg, she became alarmed and took the eight-year-old to the emergency room at Southwest Alabama Medical Center. The normal school day turned into something else entirely. The emergency room doctor referred Shiaterrica to a physician in Selma, who sent her to UAB Medical Center in Birmingham. After a few tests, the doctors told Shiaterrica's family that she had osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Still reeling from the news, Shiaterrica's parents learned that she would have to undergo chemotherapy treatment followed by surgery. For months, Shiaterrica traveled to Birmingham every Monday for the treatments. She had to stay in the hospital from Monday until Thursday. She's the second of five children, and her mother, Denise, found herself staying in the hospital with Shiaterrica and also keeping her two youngest, four-year-old twins Daisjah and Darien Cunningham. The two older children, Joshua Williams and Terry Cunningham, Jr., stayed home with her husband and relatives. It was a grueling, fearful time for Denise. She had to be optimistic for Shiaterrica and keep her and the fouryear olds occupied in a hospital environment. The hospital staff was wonderful, helping out a lot, she explained. She knew her husband was struggling to keep going to his job at Thomasville Lumber and take care of the other two children at home, also. The American Cancer Society helped out, giving her a food allowance to help with the cost of meals at the hospital. Shiaterrica glosses over that difficult time. "I remember at first I was scared, but my mom told me not to be. It hurt a lot, though." In July of that year, the frail young girl underwent an arduous 10-hour surgery. Her femur bone was removed. Grafts and screws replaced the diseased bone. The eight-year-old who had weighed 74 pounds before her diagnosis dropped to 52 pounds. The chemotherapy treatments would drag on for months longer. Still, there was good news, and the optimistic youngster was making strides that amazed the doctors. "They told us it could be two years before she was able to walk again," said her mother. "She got tired of not being able to get out, so she decided she was going to get up and start walking. She was up getting around on crutches within six weeks." The medical staff had also said Shiaterrica would have to stay in the hospital for a month-and-a-half after the surgery. She was out after eight days. When school started again in August, Shiaterrica wanted to rejoin her friends. She was still sick from the chemotherapy, though, and was out so often for treatments. Her friends and teachers kept her in their thoughts. Her father said she was spoiled by all the cards and gifts they sent her during the time she was so ill. They helped keep her spirits up, he said. The whole family was suffering. The other children were afraid for young Shiaterrica. "It's been a long journey, but God was good to us throughout it," said Mrs. Cunningham. The American Cancer Society provided some funds for transportation, and they gave the concerned mother calling cards to keep up with the kids at home as well as keeping family members in Lower Peach Tree abreast of Shiaterrica's situation. The Carson CME Church in Sunny South organized a benefit for the family. A lot of financial assistance came from complete strangers, Mrs. Cunningham said. "They would see me pushing Shiaterrica in the wheelchair in Wal-Mart and ask me about her," she remembers. "I would tell them what was going on, and they would just hand me $20." Though the family still shouldered a lot of the burden, "I thank God for every cent that people gave us," she said. Even with the help, times were difficult. Mrs. Cunningham said that with all the miles back and forth to Birmingham, "both vehicles are on their last leg now." One especially bright spot during the dark days of treatment and following the surgery was when the hospital staff told the Magic Moments foundation about Shiaterrica and her family. Magic Moments set up a weeklong trip for the whole family to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. They stayed at Give Kids the World Village, where children like Shiaterrica and their family members get the red carpet treatment. "We got to see everything- Sea World, all four Disney Parks, Universal Studios," said the youngster. She particularly enjoyed the fireworks show and seeing Shamu the whale at Sea World. Though she tired easily and walking was difficult for her, Shiaterrica was determined to take every bit of her Magic Moments experience in. Terry Cunningham said his daughter loves going to the park, playing outside, and riding rides. "Just looking at her playing now, you can't tell she was ever sick." The only activity she hasn't resumed yet is riding her bike. She does, however, jump on the trampoline occasionally. Her mother says it's okay as long as she doesn't overdo it, and it helps strengthen her leg. Shiaterrica loves movies, games, and "anything to do with Bratz," her mother exclaims. "Movies, dolls, games- if it says Bratz, she loves it." She's in the fourth grade now in Mrs. Ruth Allen's class. She missed an entire year of school, so most of her friends and a cousin she's close to moved up to fifth grade at Wilson Hall Middle School. "She misses her friends, but she's made a few new ones," her mother said. And, she's a straight A student. Among her favorite things, the youngster says, are coloring, drawing, and painting; swimming, and playing basketball. The family said Shiaterrica is still a little spoiled by family and friends who were so worried about her. The port through which the chemotherapy was administered was only taken out two weeks ago. She's gotten much stronger, and now weighs a healthy 84 pounds. She no longer has to take chemo treatments, and isn't on any medicine at all anymore. After such a lengthy ordeal, though, the family can't help but continue to worry a little bit about the bright, energetic little girl's future. She has to go back for exams every three months. "The doctors say the first five years are when the cancer is most likely to return. "We still have three more years of waiting," said her father. Shiaterrica, though, just knows she's enjoying being back in school and back home in Clarke County with her family. Her advice to any youngsters who have to go through a similar ordeal would be, "Pray, and don't be scared, be brave." Shiaterrica was chosen to be the honoree for this year's Purple Ribbon Campaign in Thomasville. The Purple Ribbon Campaign is part of the Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society's primary fundraiser in this area and in communities around the country. Purple ribbons will be available soon from the teams participating in this year's Relay, which will be held the last weekend in April. The ribbons are $25 each. Proceeds from the sale of the ribbons will go toward Thomasville's total.
Businesses- churches- and individuals are urged to display the big purple bows in honor of Shiaterrica and other cancer survivors.
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