There are few things more powerful than a mother daughter relationship. The ties that bind a mother and daughter will never quite be understood, nor should they be. There is a beautiful mystery hidden behind a daughter’s desire to be like her mother, and a mother’s desire to nurture and sacrifice for her daughter.
That beautiful mystery can be found in both Tammy & Colette.
Colette is a beautiful ten-year old little girl, full of vibrancy and full of life. When she was 2 years old, she was continuously complaining of tummy pain and consistently had a low-grade fever. Local doctors diagnosed her sudden tiredness and pain on ear infections and constipation problems. Colette’s mother, Tammy, knew something was out of the ordinary so, on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 (her 9th wedding anniversary), she took her sweet little girl to the ER.
A pediatrician found that Colette was severely anemic and took several tests to determine if she possibly had lead poisoning or other viruses. All tests came back negative and a decisions were made to take another look and do an abdominal x-ray.
Tammy held Colette in her arms as they waited to hear the results in the exam room. The pediatrician entered and softly patted her knee. “It’s not good. There’s a tumor…”
In that moment everything changed. Tammy doesn’t remember anything else that he said, only the feeling of desperation. Her sweet little girl had a tumor…. what was she to do?
Somewhere in the mix of emotion Tammy remember’s being refered to an oncologist. Colette was diagnosed on May 31, 2005, with Stage IV Neuroblastoma, a solid tumor of the central nervous system. Tammy & her family were told the statistics of treatment were 45% survival if all treatments went well and we were able to receive a new antibody study treatment.
The next 300 of the 365 days were spent either in the hospital with chemo or fevers, or near the hospital. Colette endured 6 rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, 2 surgeries, stem cell transplant over Christmas, 12 days of radiation, and months of isolation.
Miraculously, in August 2006, she was determined to have No Evidence of Disease.
“She continues to be monitored yearly since relapse rates are high, as is the risk of developing a secondary cancer. She has already tested for high cholesterol and potential ovarian failure, meaning she won’t ever have children, and will need assistance with achieving puberty. The biggest result of her treatments is that she is now deaf and will potentially lose most of her hearing as she gets older. She has worn hearing aids since November 2005, and is on the strongest pair available for her type of loss. She faces a cochlear implant surgery in her future to help when hearing aids won’t.”
– Tammy
Colette doesn’t let her hearing problem prevent her from worshiping the Lord who healed her. She accepted Christ at 6 years of age and her mother jokes that she will probably be a pastor’s wife in the future. Unfortunately, she faces a difficult life due to her hearing loss.
Colette has trouble making friends because most kids her age don’t have the patience to repeat jokes, or explain what someone said, or remember to speak to her face so she can read their lips. She gets along well with adults but struggles with feeling lonely at school and in crowded events.
Her vibrant personality leaves people smiling, and inspired. She practically dances as she walks, and sparkles with an uncontainable joy. She is unafraid to tell her story, and is frequently called upon to share what God did in and through her.
Childhood cancer is not funded well. Colette and her family try to raise awareness year round, but especially in September. One way that they do that is by selling these t-shirts. They were designed by Tammy, along with beautiful gold bracelets that Tammy made & sold while Colette was battling her cancer.
If you’re interested in supporting Childhood cancer awareness or if you are interested in purchasing one of these t-shirts feel free to comment below.
xo
AnnaFilly
What a beautiful story of the love between a Mother and daughter! Such a gift. You captured their love for each other in such a beautiful way.
Thank you so much, Deanna! So glad you enjoyed it!
I have known Colette and Tammy for several years and both of them are an inpiration to me through their unending faith in God. What a testmony they have. I have one of the shirts and wear it proudly in honor of Colette and others who have or have had childhood cancer. l love me some Colette!
There’s is a precious story! Love serving a Savior who poetically writes so wonderfully!
I remember the night Colette was diagnosed like it was yesterday. Tammy and Jason’s FAITH in God shined through even during that most difficult time! They were so calm, as we all sat in Colette’s hospital room (with Aunt Brandy painting Colette’s nails and giving her some “Wotion” on her arms, of course). I remember asking how they could be so calm, and Tammy replied saying “God has given us the Peace that Passeth All Understanding”. This is an awesome Post and well done! the pictures are beautiful with the subjescts even more beauitiful! Love you Tammy and Colette Pate! MUAH!!!
Thank you so much! They fully reflect God’s goodness! SO blessed to know them 🙂
This is my sister and my beautiful niece. They are both just as radiant in person as they are in these pictures. The photographs are amazing and really capture their joy and happiness. You can’t be around either one of these two ladies without getting a big smile on your face and giggling. Colette is such a sweetheart, and we thank God for the miracle of her life.
Thank you so much! God is so good <3
Thank you soo much, Anna!!!!!!!!!! I miss you!!!!!!!! 🙂 <3
Love you too, sweet girl! Can’t wait for our dinner date!
That story brought bitter sweet tears to y eyes as Colette’s aunt an Tammy’s sister in law I remember as if it was yesterday, there never ending faith in God an constant fight made it possible for a amazing niece to laugh, sing an just live again, she truly is our miracle child, you never really realize something until it hits home, we thank God everyday for saving our little Colette Michelle!!!! Would love to have two of those shirts!!
That’s awesome Natalie! Tammy sells them for $12 any size! I’ll let her know you would like two 🙂
What a beautiful story! And how beautifully told!
Thanks Maegan! You’re such an encouragement!!
Well, I am Colette’s grandmother “Maw Maw Penny” and Tammy’s Momma. I read this yesterday and there was no way I could comment. So tonight I have not read it
and can now express my heart felt feeling of reliving those days. That kind of heartache takes the Hand of God! God was there from minute one as so many people, churches and family prayers lifted us up!. I saw my daughter and son n law change to ROCK as they testified that God was with Colette and them.they shared with others that God was not taken by surprised. We had just finished the study about “The Purpose Driven Life”. That God had a purpose for this and that God’s
hand was on us all. Until this day we give God the Glory He so deserves. At only three years of age, Colette saw the X on her belly where they as going to radiate her tumor bed….with great big eyes and no hair…she exclaimed “That’s the cross Jesus died on to make me all well”! The faith of this child Radiates as you can feel the very Presence of God. I thank you for the way you told this story and they are “Beautiful!
Jason said when he was with Tammy they were a Rock and Big brother Bryant has always watched over her. To God Be the GLORY!
Thank you so much, their’s is such a wonderful story, I was so blessed to tell it!