NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Lexy and Tim Kmiecik couldn't help but notice the changes in their oldest child, Cece, three years ago -- weight loss, unexplained fevers and a limp. Then, a punch in the gut, when medical tests came in.
"Cece was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and she had to undergo treatment for two years," said mom Lexy.
That's when the Kmieciks started their own lockdown of sorts, to protect Cece and her fragile, compromised immune system, with no idea that it would continue long after they anticipated.
"Just going through this pandemic has been one thing but going through it with a immunocompromised child has just been terrifying," said Kmiecik.
Cece's treatments continued, and although tough on her and the entire family, she came through everything like a champ. A celebration had been planned, but then had to be cancelled because the world just wasn't safe yet.
"We had planned this huge end of chemo bash we were going to have and that was that was just a no-go," said Kmiecik. "You know we couldn't do that in this day and age right now. So we did have a car parade for her and it rained but nothing could rain on this parade that day."
Finally, the news just this week, and now vaccines for kids in Cece and sister Lily's age range are already underway. Little brother Andrew will have to wait for now. But Cece already has plans in place.
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"We are going to get her vaccinated at the clinic with her primary hematologist Dr. B," said Kmiecik. "It's going to be a day full of nerves and excitement and I'm sure it's going to end with ice cream."
Kmiecik's message to other parents on the fence about whether to get their kids vaccinated?
"You don't know what other people are dealing with. So I feel like we all have to do our part to help end this pandemic and just get us back to some normal life again."
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