Jasmine
Age: 10 years
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Laughter fills the room of the Kobayashi family in House B. Even in the semi-isolation of the building designed for the needs of bone marrow transplant patients, ten-year-old Jasmine is quick with a quip and rolls her eyes with relief when asked if she is feeling better. After nearly seven months of living far from her home in Alaska, Jasmine and her parents are finally scheduled to return to Anchorage in a matter of weeks.
Their nine month journey through Jasmine’s treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) began with a series of fevers that would come and go. A chronically swollen and painful wrist raised more concerns. After undergoing an MRI and blood tests, the diagnosis prompted an immediate referral to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Weak and connected to an IV, Jasmine was quickly transported over 2,300 miles from home by medevac, accompanied by her mother.
Shortly after arriving at the hospital, a social worker told Jasmine’s mother, Midori, about the Ronald McDonald House. “We were so relieved,” Midori says. Jasmine’s father, Woody, was able to join them five days later.
With Woody able to work from the House as a freelance writer and with assistance from Medicaid, the Kobayashi family settled in for Jasmine’s treatments, leading up to a bone marrow transplant.
Staying so far from home during a challenging time is undeniably difficult, but the family’s eyes still widen in amazement at the memory of the winter holidays. “All the gifts and activities! The House has been so much more than we expected,” Midori relates, mentioning the dinners, computers and special activities hosted by volunteers.
Jasmine’s compromised immune system required the family to move into House B after her bone marrow transplant. “Life is a little harder in House B because there can’t be as much social interaction,” Midori acknowledges. “We find the stocked pantry very helpful now.” Eager to get home and see her pets, which include a hermit crab, a goldfish and two gerbils named Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine can’t pass up the chance to add “I miss the therapy dogs most of all.”
Pictures and letters from her classmates have helped Jasmine cope with her sense of humor intact, and her 4th grade teacher even flew to Seattle to personally deliver a mobile of 1,000 paper cranes. Created by friends and classmates, the mobile represents an ancient Japanese legend promising a wish granted by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury.
With Jasmine’s recovery underway and the support of many people, the Kobayashi’s reflect on their stay at the House. “The staff and volunteers have been so helpful and friendly. They’ve made it like a second home.”