SELMA, N.C. — A North Carolina family said their prayers were answered after their 5-year-old, Holly Carter, beat a devastating diagnosis, and now they are getting ready to celebrate in a big way.
“It was rough, but she really showed her strength and came out on the better side of things,” said Holly’s mother, Kelsy Ross.
In February, life turned upside down for the family when Holly wasn’t feeling well.
“She was in preschool, running around being a normal kid, and one day things just kind of were going downhill,” Ross told ABC Raleigh affiliate WTVD. “She stopped playing, she got really pale, really clammy”.
Holly stopped playing and got pale and clammy, her mom said.
Family photo
Initially, doctors thought Holly had a stomach virus, but they soon diagnosed her with stage four Burkitt lymphoma.
It was the latest challenge for Holly and her family.
Holly has autism and is non-verbal, and now, she needed chemotherapy.
But prayers for Holly were answered quickly.
Doctors told them to expect eight to 12 months of treatment, but Holly was cancer-free after only three months.
Doctors told them to expect eight to 12 months of treatment, but Holly was cancer-free after only three months.
“It was just the best feeling in the world,” Ross said. “I couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t stop thanking God for everything.”
Holly and her family now get to celebrate their victory over cancer with a trip to Walt Disney World, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“It breaks my heart that she had to go through it to get to where we are, but I am forever grateful to Make-A-Wish,” Ross said. “They have been so patient and kind and so understanding.”
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