HODGDON, Maine — It has been a roller coaster year for Hodgdon youth Addie Woods. A year ago, the spunky teenager was anxiously awaiting the start of basketball season, where she hoped to make the varsity team as a sophomore.
But when a lingering illness prompted a visit to the doctor, her parents’ worst fear came to life. On Nov. 23, 2015, Woods, who was a 15-year-old sophomore at Hodgdon High School at the time, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and had to begin an intense chemotherapy treatment.
The daughter of Mike and Stephanie Harris and John Woods, Addie was surprised Wednesday, Nov. 9, by a special presentation at Hodgdon Middle-High School as members of the Make-a-Wish Foundation announced they were granting her wish of a trip to Hawaii.
Marilyn Carey and Tonya Fitzpatrick, local wish granters for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, brought Addie and her parents, along with younger sister Aidynn to the front of the crowd, where they presented the family with a variety of themed gifts, including flowered leis and pineapples.
Addie said she had no idea she was going to be presented with her wish when she was called to the school gymnasium with her classmates.
“I had no idea and it’s funny now because I see all the hints … like mom told me I should dress up for school and things like that,” Addie said. “I chose Hawaii because I wanted to do something that I might not get the chance to do again in the next few years because I have to do my wish before I turn 19 I think,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the warm weather and the food.”
The family is thinking of making the trip in June, 2018 after her graduation. “By then I will be done my treatment and have absolutely no restrictions and [with] some of the meds I’m on I can’t be in the sun for too long so we’ll put it off for a while,” she said.
“Addie is doing well,” her mother Stephanie said. “She takes daily chemo meds and is still on steroids which are no fun, but her spirits are good and she is loving being back to ‘normal’ life [which includes returning to classes at Hodgdon.] She travels to Brewer monthly for a chemo infusion and lumbar punctures where they inject chemo into her spinal fluid.”
“I’m feeling great,” Addie said. “I’m a little tired, but being back to school, with tutors and physical therapy … it’s expected.”
According to the website www.cancer.gov, childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many immature lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell.) It is the most common type of cancer found in children.
Her treatments have been a long, and often painful process for the outgoing teenager. She has had bone marrow aspirations and lumbar punctures to make sure the cancer cells have not spread.
Her mother said the community support has been astounding. All last year, the Hodgdon girls sports teams dedicated their basketball and softball seasons to her as part of the “All in for Addie” campaign. Numerous schools, including many opposing teams, made donations to the school for Addie.
For more information on Make-a-Wish, visit http://maine.wish.org/.
