MADISEN BYRD

Girl’s leukemia takes physical, emotional, financial toll

UPDATE Feb. 5, 2010

In Okeechobee, a 4-year-old leukemia patient has been greatly cheered by the community’s generosity. Madisen Byrd’s family is finally planning a Disney World trip.

“People brought in educational games and toys and princess outfits. Madisen has just brightened up. She’s like a flower that has blossomed,” says mental health counselor Barbara Abernathy, the program director for the Pediatric Oncology Support Team of West Palm Beach.

Diagnosed in July 2008, Madisen has spent the last year and a half in and out of Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee, undergoing painful spinal taps, bone marrow procedure and chemotherapy.

The struggle has taken its toll on the 34-pound girl, who has displayed tremendous courage despite her greatest fears.

“She’s like a new child. Before she was a little timid and sad. But it’s like a miracle has happened for this child. She’s gaining self-confidence. She has seen all these people care about her and her family,” says Abernathy.

“There has been a dramatic change. The outpouring of love that this family has received from the community has been life-changing.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

By KEVIN D. THOMPSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

“Your daughter has cancer.”

Four words no parent ever wants to hear.

But that’s what doctors told Lori Byrd in July 2008. Her daughter, Madisen, then 3, had been coming home from preschool tired and pale. She was feverish and wasn’t eating. The first diagnosis: low iron. After more blood tests, however, Lori received grim news.

Leukemia.

“It was the scariest day of our lives,” Lori recalls.

Lori and her husband, Jimmy, already had lost one child, Madisen’s twin sister, Mauri, who died at childbirth. The thought of losing another was inconceivable. Fortunately, Madisen was diagnosed with a type of leukemia that is highly treatable. Still, the bouncy little girl, who loves to fish and play computer games, has spent the last 16 months in and out of Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee.

The girl with the dazzling hazel eyes and infectious personality was scared. All she wanted was her mommy. “I couldn’t take two steps away from her,” says Lori, 38.

Chemotherapy, spinal taps, bone marrow procedures — Madisen, a 34-pound dynamo, has endured them all. She lost her hair. Twice. But the injections are the worst.

“When I get that needle in my chest, it really hurts and I cry,” Madisen says softly, curling into her mother’s arms in their Okeechobee home.

Spiraling medical bills have taken a toll on the family. Lori estimates Blue Cross/Blue Shield has paid more than $400,000 in medical bills. The family has shelled out about $8,000 of its own money. It has been a struggle because the girl’s father, a 40-year-old electrician, is having a tough time finding work in a down economy.

“It’s been a strain on us financially,” Jimmy says. “That’s what I worry about more than anything.”

Madisen goes to the doctor twice a month for checkups and gets a spinal tap every three months. Her prognosis is good. Lori says her daughter has been in remission for more than a year.

“The doctors call her a fast responder,” Lori says.

The girl’s blond hair is finally growing back. If all goes well, Madisen will start kindergarten next fall.

What does she look forward to most?

“Homework,” she says, giggling. “And playing with other kids.”

MADISEN’S WISH

At present, there’s only one income in Madisen’s household and the family could use gas cards to defray transportation expenses to and from the hospital. The Byrds could also use Target and Publix cards to buy groceries and supplies. Madisen loves playing computer games and she’d enjoy some educational software to get her ready for school. Her parents dream of taking her to Disney World on a family vacation.