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Laurren Smith Faces New Challenges

June 9, 2008

Laurren Smith, a 12-year old Forney resident, has been undergoing a courageous battle with cancer since her diagnosis on August 19, 2007. Last week Laurren faced a new battle. Her first chemo regimen was officially completed at the end of April, and scans were done then to make sure she was cancer free. However, a small spot on Laurren’s lung was found in the first scans, and the doctors decided to re-scan on June 2nd.

The scans on June 2nd indicated that the lung tumor was growing, and the decision was made to remove it immediately. Laurren had surgery on June 4th to remove the tumor and check her lungs. The doctors feel confident that the lung surgery was successful, and there are no other tumors in her lungs. Laurren will now undergo another 5 months of chemo. Her protocol will be one week in the hospital for chemo, then two weeks home. Laurren will repeat the same schedule until late November.

Laurren’s journey began with a leg injury that was not getting any better. On Sunday, August 19, 2007, Laurren’s parents took her to our local Care United Clinic. The doctor there sensed a bigger problem, and immediately sent Laurren’s X-Rays to Children’s Hospital in Dallas. The Smith family received a call from Care United later that afternoon letting them know they needed to go to the emergency room at Children’s immediately.

Laurren was diagnosed at that time with Osteo-Sarcoma, and began her chemo treatments within days. In November, Laurren’s knee was replaced with a prosthetic knee, along with bone on either end of her knee, and her chemo treatments continued. During the chemo treatments, Laurren began to experience heart problems which caused a change in her chemo regimen.

Laurren’s parents are amazed at her wonderful attitude throughout this ongoing journey! She is a fighter! The phrase “Go! Fight Cancer! Win” became popular among Forney residents in early September, and Laurren has lived up to that phrase over the past nine months. Her father summed up her attitude best this week in a poem he posted on Laurren’s website:

“She confirmed, she will deal with the cards she was dealt.
She said she has been there before, and she will do it again
But with great confidence she said THIS TIME I’LL WIN!”

Brian and Patty Smith are so overwhelmed and grateful for the prayers and outpouring of love from the Forney community. Early in September, their church family at Fellowship Baptist Church in Forney hosted a blood drive for Laurren, and many of the teenage boys of her church shaved their heads to show Laurren their support. There were many fundraisers held for Laurren’s family during the early part of her treatments. The family appreciates the money donated by Care United, Chick-Fil-A and other fundraisers on their behalf.

Currently there are several fundraisers that continue to help the family. Judi Lunger, a liver cancer survivor, makes and sells beautiful black onyx and silver bracelets for Laurren’s benefit. Ray Stewart Cleaners, located on Pinson Road by Madres, donates 15% of his profits every Thursday to the Smith family. There will be a Car Show on June 29th to benefit the Smith family at Lucky’s Sports Grill in Forney. The family is so thankful to this community for all the help and support.

For updates about Laurren’s condition, to send a message to Laurren and her family, and to find out more about the ongoing fundraisers, you can visit Laurren’s website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurrensmith.