Friday, January 15th, 2010 was a big day for Esther. It was the day she completed her radiation treatment at Children’s Hospital. The grapefruit-sized mass that protruded from her neck,  when she arrived in St. Louis is now imperceptible except from close up.

Friday was a day for saying goodbye to all of the people in the radiation unit at the Siteman Center for Advanced Medicine who have treated her so well. It was a day for high-fives and smiles and hugs. The fiber-mesh mask used to immobilize Esther’s head during treatment, which was so frightening to her in the beginning, was presented to her with big smiles all around as a souvenir.

The doctors will wait a short while and evaluate whether the next step is medication or surgery. What is known is that a little girl who was in a very tenuous state when she arrived is now close to being fully healed.

In the waiting area of Siteman radiation unit is a brass bell. Above the bell is a plaque that reads: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Smile! This is one of those moments.”

All patients completing their last radiation treatment are encouraged to ring the bell. When Esther yanked on the cord all of the patients awaiting treatment, their friends and families, and Siteman staff began to applaud.

Esther with Solomon, Naomi and Josphat Kendagor

Later that evening Esther attended the Washington University international students’ monthly potluck dinner. She spent time at the dinner with Ruby and Solomon Kendagor,  Josphat and Naomi’s aunt and uncle, and just generally had a blast. The dinner became kind of a celebration event for Esther.

When she arrived in November Esther grew tired after walking for just a short while. That Friday night, she danced, played, and ran around the room after the event helping to put heavy steel folding chairs away.

Advertisement