Tuesday for Esther and Naomi was a day far removed from the previous five days of chemotherapy at BJC Children’s Hospital.

A photographer from the Webster-Kirkwood Times arrived at 9 a.m. to photograph them for a feature that is running this week.

Then it was on to Dr. Tom Black’s dental office to take care of Naomi’s persistent toothache. As mentioned in a previous post, Judy Featherston, office manager in Dr. Black’s practice attends the Rock Church where Get the Work Out, Inc. is based.  Judy knew Esther’s story, and when she received a call regarding Naomi she prevailed on Dr. Black to provide treatment pro bono.

It turned out that Naomi has five teeth that need to be removed, including three impacted wisdom teeth. Judy was immediately on the phone to the office manager of an oral surgery practice, asking her colleague to convince her boss to provide the extractions pro bono.

Judy, Dr. Black, and Janice Kayser the dental hygienist gave Naomi and Esther the royal treatment. Esther took over the hallway at Dr. Black’s office, sitting in a Big Bird chair with her chai, bread, and a Ranger Rick magazine. She walked out with three rubber balls and a toothbrush, courtesy of Judy.

Later in the day at the Smiths’ house something very special happened. Esther began speaking  English words with Hannah and Gabe Smith. Then she began dancing with them. The quiet, shy little girl is beginning to show quite a personality.