Meet Cami

This month's cancer cutie is very dear to our hearts. Our dear friend (and business partner), Chelsea, is watching her daughter battle for her life with her 2nd round of cancer. Cami is something special. If you have ever been around this girl you know exactly what we are talking about...she is inspiring and wiser beyond her 8 year old self! Chelsea, we love you so much and are here fighting this battle with you every step of the way! 


Here is Cami's story written by her amazing mom:

Our oldest child, Camryn (Cami) was born on August 30th, 2005.  Sweet Cami has always been a very vivacious, spunky girl.  She has a great sense of humor and an optimistic zest for life that is contagious.  Cami is extremly outgoing and easily makes friends where ever she goes.  She is funny and has a great sense of humor, even during difficult times.  She is beautiful and bright, wise beyond her years and we just adore her!

On July 9th, 2010, an otherwise normal Friday morning our 4 year old Cami woke with leg & hip pains.  She had been complaining about this for a few weeks but we figured it was just growing pains.  As the day progressed, she was limping a little, lethargic and running a low grade fever.  I called and made a last minute appointment with her pediatrician.   Our Dr. called late that night and said Cami’s blood work came back with some abnormalities and told us to take her directly to Primary Childrens Hospital  After a long agonizing night, Cami was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (or B-cell ALL) Our Cami had cancer!  There are no words to describe the pain and agony we felt  They immediately admitted us to the oncology floor.  Before we even had time to process what was happening she was scheduled for surgery for a portacath placement, a spinal tap, bone marrow aspiration and her first chemotherapy all within 8 hours of her diagnosis.   (Read more about Cami's diagnosis here.)  


4 year old Cami in the hospital after her diagnosis

After our week long hospital stay we were sent home with dozens of prescriptions, schedules and chemo dates.  Over time, we had to learn to clean differently, prepare food a certain way and isolate Cami from the outside world.  Cami was also very sad to know that she would not be able to attend Kindergarten that she was so looking forward to, she lost her precious princess hair, got poked by thousands of needles, learned the art of swallowing handfuls of pills each day and learned to live with the  many side effects associated with her treatments.  Our courageous little girl was forced to grow up way too fast but handled her disease with strength and her normal positive attitude.   Cami's went through 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy and then went off therapy September 9th, 2012.  

Watch her end of treatment video here:


Once Cami went off treatment, we had a HUGE goodbye to cancer party and our life pretty much went back to normal!  Cami made it through her entire year of 1st grade, loved not having to take her daily pills and the nasty chemo effects even started to wear off!  Then one perfectly normal summer day, Cami started having intense hip pain which eventually led to her oncologist giving us the news that every cancer family fears...  Cami has relapsed.  It is a feeling of panic and utter shock all at the same time.  Cami's cancer is back and we have to once again fight for her life, but this time her fight is a much harder one.



She will have to endure many months of extremely intense chemotherapy and radiation, followed by a bone marrow transplant from an unknown donor.  She has a long road ahead of her.  We know it wont be easy, we are all terrified and still in shock that our life once again, revolves around medication, hospital stays, Dr. visits, IV poles, and a sick daughter.  Cami has captured the hearts of all her caregivers at Primary Children's Hospital along with countless others.  She touches hearts daily as she fights her battle with a smile.  Despite our fears, we know that we can do this!  We know that our Cami is strong, she is a true fighter!  We will never give up fighting for her, laughing with her and loving her along this journey.  We will stay Cami Strong!!!












We love you SO much Cami and are here cheering you on every step of the way! We can't wait to throw you a big PARTY that you have kicked cancer's butt once and for all! LOVE YOU!

16 comments:

Chelsea said...

Love you guys! Thank you for everything!!! You have been just amazing!

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh. i can not imagine what their family is going through. i have been following cami 's story since the first battle. please know that there are many prayers for cami all the way from michigan.

DawnV said...

What a touching story. Chelsea, you are an amazing mom of a super-strong warrior. Sending lots of love and healing thoughts to little Cami and lots of hugs for extra strength to you. Wishing you well...

Messy Mornings & Mascara said...

Cami I would love to wrap my arms around you and your family! I would tell you that everything is going to be ok, because your creator has made you strong and has you in a place were you are able to touch so many hearts! We are sending a zillion prayers your way and our Heavenly Father is with you every step of the way. You are strong, brave, amazing, beautiful, and most of all LOVED! Thinking of you daily as I send prayers your way!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous girl! #justkeepswimming ! I sent a message through the company until realizing you had a blog! Oopsies. I sent my love and prayers to a son, now realizing she is a little girl! Read your story on SPAZ Mag and wanted to drop by and send my love !

Faith Moves!

Linsay said...

Is she in need of a wig?? I'm looking to donate my hair to just such a little girl!

Anonymous said...

So sorry that you are having to go through this. My sweet little granddaughter had the exact same set of circumstances. It was a very rough road. There is nothing worse than to watch your little one suffer so much. But there IS hope! It has been six years since my Chloe's transplant and there has been no sign of the cancer returning. She is now a happy healthy seventh grader. I pray that things will go as well for your adorable little Cami.

Unknown said...

Wow. This is gut wrenching. What an incredibly strong family and little girl - true examples of warriors. You have touched my heart and we will pray for you from California. I would love to knit some awesome hats for Cami if there's somewhere I can send them to her! If anyone can let me know, that'd be awesome! Keep fighting, sweet girl!! XOXOXOX

Unknown said...

Wow. This is gut wrenching. What an incredibly strong family and little girl - true examples of warriors. You have touched my heart and we will pray for you from California. I would love to knit some awesome hats for Cami if there's somewhere I can send them to her! If anyone can let me know, that'd be awesome! Keep fighting, sweet girl!! XOXOXOXO

Sarah Rose said...

She is absolutely gorgeous!!!! Inside and out!!! I would be so proud to be your mommy. What an amazing little girl.

Gberger said...

I found you through NieNie's blog - I'm the author of "Because of Katie." Please know that you and your beautiful girl are in my thoughts, and I pray for healing, strength, peace, comfort and love for you, each step of the way.

Anonymous said...

Hello from West Jordan UT! I do a lot of postcard swaps from around the world and I wondered if I asked people to send Cami a card, would they address it to Cami Carver c/o Primary Children's Hospital and would it reach her? Please let me know! My email address is Jocelynne@desertrealm. com I know people would want to send her a message! ...Jocelynne

eduffbug2000 said...

My 18 month old daughter was just diagnosed with the same leukemia. Cami, you are an inspiration!!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful girl, you can see what a great spirit she has through her eyes! I will start including you all and Cami in our prayers. P.S. You are ladies are all amazing...this beautiful kids have a voice so much stronger through your efforts!

Lori said...

I just read about beautiful brave Cami and her fight against cancer and I want you all to know I add my prayers to the many others out there. Cami, you are so very brave and I KNOW you will continue to "kick cancer's butt!" I know I am a stranger to you all but if I can do anything to help, I'd be honored to at least try. I'd donate bone marrow or whatever if I were a match.

Anonymous said...

Cami looks a lot like me! Praying for her and her family. She will Kick cancer's butt!

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