Meet Charlotte
Charlotte, 12 years old, noticed a lump in her right leg in the fall of 2025. We saw her pediatrician and started with outpatient labs. We went to the Nationwide Children's Hospital Emergency Department in early December and had an ultrasound that was concerning for sarcoma. Charlotte was admitted to the hospital and underwent surgery the next morning. We found out that the mass was indeed a sarcoma several days later, and she was back at Nationwide Children's for a more extensive surgery about 10 days later.
She started chemotherapy on January 6, 2026, and is in the almost done with a 9-month course of chemotherapy. She completed 6 weeks of radiation in May. She has not been able to attend school or swim on her swim team during her treatment, which has been challenging for an active young lady. Her life and ours have completely changed.
The care we have received at Nationwide Children's has been incredible. Her hospitalizations have been made so much better by the amazing massage and art therapists who have helped her to feel like a normal 12-year-old girl. The child life specialists always ensure that she has Legos to build and Squishys to play with. Speaking with the psychologist allows her to express her feelings and address how to deal with her life-changing diagnosis and treatment. The social workers have helped us set up remote schooling and tutoring when she is in the hospital and helped us to get Charlotte a wig when she lost her hair. The nurses on the hematology/oncology floor have been so kind and caring and have helped empower Charlotte to advocate for herself and her health. Her sarcoma team has been so caring and we are so grateful for how they have directed her amazing care.
Charlotte’s cancer diagnosis has changed our lives forever. The support our family has received is incredible. While no one wishes to be in this situation, we are grateful to have such an amazing hospital in our city and taking care of our child. Charlotte talks about her future and wants to do something in the world of oncology and already talks about how she will be a great resource for someone going through chemotherapy.
