School of Medicine Lecture

A while back, Dr. Engel asked us if we'd participate in a lecture at the School of Medicine. Every year, Dr. Engel chooses a few families to talk and answer "real life" questions that medical students may have. It gets the students out of the text book and gives them a tiny peek into families lives and how cancer has affected them. It was a neat experience.

Can you tell Lilly LOVES her doctors? She has a love for them like none else. She looks forward to going to clinic each month so she can get her one-on-one time with them. 

The room was full of med students... All looking professional in their white coats. It was kind of intimidating, if you ask me.

It was an open discussion. They asked personal questions, medical questions, questions to the kids, questions to the parents. I thought it was great to hear each families different perspectives. 

One of my favorite questions was to the kids: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Ricky wants to either play sports like his Dad, or go into architecture. Trey wants to be a Pilot for Life Flight. Lilly wants to be a nail painting doctor. Lilly continued to explain why she wants to be a nail painting doctor... She told them about her best friend Michalla who had leukemia too, and how she would always paint her nails and how Michalla always made her happy. And then she told them that Michalla passed away and she wants to continue to paint nails because that's what Michalla would have done. There were quite a few tears shed from those medical students. Lilly's experience was real to them, and I'm glad she felt comfortable enough to share it.

Near the end of the lecture, Lilly really wanted to talk in the microphone again. She kept whispering to me and asking when was it going to be her turn to talk? Just before Dr. Engel ended the lecture, Lilly raised her hand high and kept waiving it until Dr. Engel gave her a chance to talk. Lilly said, "Um... I have nicknames that I gave my doctors... I call Dr. Engel Mike Wazowski, because he kind of sounds like him! (that got a few chuckles) And I call Dr. Doug Prince Eric because of his hair!" (that got HUGE laughs and a big round of applause!) It was so so funny! It makes me laugh every time I think about it! Way to go Lilly!!!

After the lecture was over, the medical students stood up and clapped for our families. I got so teary eyed and emotional. I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude for our kiddos and the fight they've been fighting. They're strong. They're brave. And they're incredible!!

Having fun after the lecture was over.

I love these kids!