PRIOR LAKE, Minn – After more than 2 years battling cancer, 3-year-old Mable Frank is finally going to undergo her last day of chemotherapy. A momentous journey it has been for the little warrior as she witnessed waves of cars celebrating her victory. Family and friends gathered to show an uplifting scene as they supported Mable in finally finishing her fight.
“We just felt we had to do something to let her know how proud we are and what a warrior and survivor she’s been,” said Joan Franks, Mabel’s grandmother.
Taking Necessary Precautions
Medical Doctors had diagnosed Mable with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This cancer is the most common amongst children and it occurs when a bone marrow cell develops in its DNA. It threatens its host by directly attacking white blood cells. Side effects and symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, bruising, fever, bone pain, bleeding from the gums, and frequent infections.
Mable’s mother, Meagan Franks, said her daughter was diagnosed with this devastating affliction when she was 14-months old. It has been a very long and strenuous journey for the little warrior since then.
After being informed by a care team from Children’s Minnesota that COVID-19 attacks those whose immune system are already compromised according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the family took Mable’s protection and safety to another degree.
“We were on high alert with her immune system before, but this just made it a whole lot more real and serious,” Meagan Franks said.
In the past 5 months, the family has tried to keep contact at a very minimum by enforcing COVID-19 lockdown rules by stopping all in-person interactions as well as even pulling Mable’s older sister, Meadow, from preschool.
“If any one of us brought (the virus) to Jim or brought it to Mabel, that could be it,” said Joan Franks. “We’re all kind of walking on eggshells at all times trying to make sure we’re doing all of the correct things but still trying to live.”
Her recovery process throughout her 2-year battle involved taking treatment via intravenous methods, however, her last time would be taken in the form of a pill. As she took it, extended family cheered and supported Mable through video chat as she finally was able to remove the proverbial monkey off her back.
An Incredible Amount Of Support
Mable couldn’t help but smile with pure joy as she saw fire trucks sound the horn for her as they passed her by. She watched ever so gleefully from atop her father’s arms.
Amidst COVID-19 restrictions, cars came by the dozens to meet Mable by her cul-de-sac where she lives with her older sister Meadow and parents Michael and Meagan Franks. The cars came packed with balloons and decorated markings on the windows showing signs like “No More Chemo” and “#TeamMable” as they tooted their horns in celebration of Mable’s brighter days to come.
A New Chapter
“I’m just really grateful and we’ve had an amazing support system as you can see,” Meagan Franks tearfully said after the parade. “It’s very emotional.”
Mable’s excitement was even more evident as she sprinted triumphantly alongside her father and sister stating that she was finally finished with cancer. The sight of it can just melt your heart right into the ground. An incredible moment and a reminder that life should always be cherished.
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