The girl who survived

The little beginnings of my life

                It started as a little girl. I was watching Dora one day and I was waiting for my mom to get home from work. At the time my mom worked at Rolite; A manufacturer place that produces metal and plastic parts for numerous different things. While I was watching Dora and slowly falling asleep, I noticed a couple purplish patches on my skin. I was very confused, but I thought it was completely normal. Never have I ever have thought that it could lead to something so serious. I had very bad bruising, pain in my shoulders, and I became very fatigue. Every morning when I would get up to brush my teeth, I would see blood coming from my mouth. I thought it was normal. Meanwhile I don't tell anyone about these strange happenings because I was afraid. Afraid of being laughed at, Afraid of being judged, and most importantly afraid of being scared. When it all started, I was having awful night sweats, high fevers and a big problem with weight loss. One day, while my momma was brushing my hair, she had asked me "Where did all your beautiful hair go?" I didn't know what to say to her because I didn't quite know the answer myself. "I don't know momma." She glared at me and knew right then and there something was up. "Go in the bathroom and I'll be right there." I went into the upstairs bathroom because for some reason I hated the downstairs bathroom. I saw my mom coming up the stairs, and she brought up a kit that said Prestige Medical Aneroid & Sprague Kit. I was nervous because I didn't really understand what that meant."Okay honey, take off your clothes so I can check to see if you are okay." Momma said. She first looks at my face and notices my warmth. She checks my temperature and it reads (103.6). " You're temperature is 103.6, hold this rag on your head honey it's warm."Momma stated. I didn't know if my temperature was bad or good. So, I kept asking her and asking her and she kept replying with "Don't worry about it, You are going to be okay." I stood up and she picked me up and put me on the scale. It read (28.4 pounds). "You weigh 28 pounds, have you been eating?" Momma asked me. " Not really, I haven't been hungry." "I'll be right back honey stay put." Normal 4 Year old's weigh 40 pounds. I was not even close to 40 pounds. My momma brought me a strawberry yogurt and my favorite Dora spoon. After I ate the yogurt, I had to put on my shoes and my coat because momma said we are going somewhere and she said I better dress warm. "Let's go honey this is going to be a long trip." I got in the backseat of my mom's jeep and momma buckled me in and I heard her take a deep sigh and I was scared. I looked out the window and saw some strange things and I saw cows and horses and interesting things that I remember every single detail to a crisp. The drive was about an hour away.

We stopped to get Mcdonalds, I got apple juice and apple slices and momma got a muffin and coffee. After we ate, we left and got back in the Jeep Wrangler. Momma buckled me in and said that we were heading to the hospital. I became frightened. "Momma, Am I going to be okay?" "Yes, Honey don't worry." Mom states. We got to Shriners hospital, and I got out of the car and mom carried me in. She sat me down in one of the chairs, and she went up to the information desk and talked to the lady. Little Einsteins was on, and I loved watching that show sometimes. It was the episode with the farmer Annie and that was my favorite episode. I got there just when it started and I was so happy because after that long car ride I just wanted to relax. Momma came and sat next to me and was filling out some paperwork. I tried to get her attention, but she was busy at that moment. I went back to watching Little Einsteins to get my mind off of everything, and soon I calmed down. A half an hour went by and a doctor came out and called Tanya Blaszkowiak and Rachael Chapin; after hearing my name, I became scared all over again. I hugged momma's leg, and she picked me up and carried me in the room. The doctor's name was Dr. Blum, he was wearing blue scrubs and I thought he looked like a blueberry santa clause. "What's your name honey?" The doctor asks. I hide behind my mom when she says "Her name is Rachael. She is a little bit shy." Dr. Blum states "No problem what brings you here today?" My mom looks at me then looks at the doctor then back at me and says " I think Rachael has something serious going on with her." She sheds a tear and says "She might have Leukemia, I looked up her symptoms and it gave me a couple options, but the options I read pertain to the elderly. The only option that could pertain to her is Leukemia or the flu." The doctor puts his hand on momma's shoulder and says "Everything will be alright, I'll be right back I'm going to get a urine cup for Rachael then I'll get a nurse so she can do bloodwork. Hang in there I'll be right back." Dr.Blum explains. The doctor walks out and I see momma crying. "Momma I'm scared, Are you okay?" "Yes, rachey rach I am going to be okay."