Madison’s Story

Site created on January 7, 2023

Welcome to our Caring Bridge website.  

Madison’s cancer battle started in August 2021 when we were on a family vacation in Hawaii and she became ill.   She spent 2 weeks in the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Kids where she had stricture, a foot of her colon and 23 lymph nodes removed.  We learned there that she had Stage 3 colorectal cancer. When we got back to Maryland, Madison went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy. In March 2022 she completed her treatment, had clean scans and was in remission!  

Colorectal cancer is not a kid cancer… roughly 80 kids per year get this disease – so her oncology team (from Children’s National Hospital + consultations from a “Tumor Board” from other top hospitals) put her on a quarterly scan schedule to monitor her health. 

We are thankful for those regular scans because the routine scans in December showed that the cancer had come back – in the form of a tumor in her pelvis and bone lesions.  No one expected this reoccurrence, nor did they expect it 9 months after completing her last round of treatment.

Madison had a port installed on January 5th and started her first round of chemotherapy on January 10th.  She will be in in-patient treatment every-other-week (Tuesday-Thursday) for 4 months and the doctors plan to remove the pelvic tumor (ideally after it shrinks from treatment).  Next steps after that are TBD.

We are using this site to keep family and friends updated on Madison's health. We appreciate your prayers, support and words of encouragement.  She’s a tough kid and we are confident she’ll be back to golfing, swimming and doing all the things she loves to do again soon.  

Newest Update

2nd Annual Lego Drive!

Journal entry by Molly Smith —

Teddy is kicking off the 2nd Annual Lego Drive for Pediatric Cancer Patients. 
The flyer is attached - note that new/unopened Legos can be dropped off at several local MD/DC school locations or be mailed/dropped off to Teddy at:

Teddy Smith
4624 Norbeck Road
Rockville MD, 20853

We will deliver the Legos to the oncology floor at Childrens in June, around the time of Madison's birthday (June 12th).
Thanks!
xoxo  
Read More of the journal titled "2nd Annual Lego Drive!"
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Madison Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Madison's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Leave a comment of support for Madison

Did you know? A quick comment, no matter the situation (positive or negative), can boost morale by 28.2%.

Comments Hide comments

Load more comments
Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser
Support Links
Helpful Requests
Go to Ways to Help
SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top