CONWAY — Of the words that strike fear in the hearts of parents, two of the most fearsome are “it’s cancer.” This is a fear that Mark and Michelle Briggler of Conway know too well. Their oldest child and only daughter, Sarah Beth, was a typical active 11 year old until one day in July 2009 when she began complaining that her arm hurt.
“We played competitive summer basketball, so at first we thought she had just played a rough game,” Mark said. “But when she continued to complain and a bump developed without a bruise, we took her to the doctor.”
From there, the Brigglers went from doctor’s office to a radiologist to an orthopedic oncologist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.
“Within a week of the first visit, Sarah Beth started chemotherapy,” Mark said.
Sarah Beth was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, one of the most common types of bone cancer and the sixth most common cancer in children, according to the website www.kidshealth.org.
Sarah Beth endured and conquered six rounds of chemotherapy totaling 18 individual chemotherapy treatments. Each round required a three- to four-day stay in the hospital.
“I was scared,” Sarah Beth said, “and I missed my friends. Not being able to see all my friends was the worst part … and the mouthwash.”
During treatment, Sarah Beth would develop painful mouth sores and the treatment was a strong mouthwash with a bad taste, Michelle said.
A family friend offered to tutor Sarah Beth when it became clear she would be unable to attend St. Joseph School in Conway during the 2009-2010 school year.
Throughout the treatments, the Brigglers remained faithful, claiming verse Mark 5:36, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
To show support for Sarah Beth, T-shirts with the verse on the back and the words, “Sarah Beth’s Believers” on the front were created in vibrant colors. As fundraisers and a showing of love, two bracelets were created for her as well, Mark said.
“The senior high girls basketball team dedicated their season to Sarah Beth and in her honor wore purple and lime shoelaces, two of her favorite colors,” Michelle said.
Several fundraisers were organized including a basketball benefit featuring boxer Jermaine Taylor and University of Central Arkansas basketball coach Corliss Williamson.
“Sarah Beth was too sick to attend the benefit so both of the men came over to the house to meet her and take photos,” Mark said. “Another man organized a golf tournament. We didn’t know him and had no ties to him. It was amazing.”
The school supported the family through the long winter months when Sarah Beth’s blood counts were low and she could not leave the house because of her suppressed immunity.
Before Sarah Beth’s surgery in October to remove a large portion of the humerus in her right arm, the sixth grade loaded a school bus and came over to the house for a visit.
“The outpouring, it is humbling,” Michelle said. “It was overwhelming at times. We never knew when we were going to need to go to the emergency room.”
Michelle said the teachers and families of the students at St. Joseph were very supportive and showed the family love on a near daily basis.
“Immediately, when we found out Sarah Beth wouldn’t be coming to school, the kids began praying for her,” said Susie Freyaldenhoven, St. Joseph Elementary School principal. “They prayed the rosary and we made time to pray for her in the chapel during the morning of her surgery.”
“One of her friends made a life-size paper doll nicknamed ’Sarah Beth Jr.’ and the children took turns taking it to the classes, library and other rooms,” Freyal denhoven said.
She gave the children access to the school’s camera and let them create a “day in the life” scrapbook of the doll. Then the children presented that to Sarah Beth.
After months of chemotherapy and numerous hospital stays, Sarah Beth returned to St. Joseph School April 10. Her classmates held a surprise party for her and her parents held an “End of Chemo Celebration” dance party.
“We’re thrilled to have her back. There has been so much to look back on and appreciate all those little things we take for granted,” Freyaldenhoven said. “We are grateful for every day.”
