Chemotherapy puts stress on family

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October 5, 2008

BY ANNA HERKAMP The Commercial-News Sun Oct 05, 2008, 08:52 PM CDT

DANVILLE — The Hummer family doesn’t show any fear or sadness when they talk about what 9-year-old Mackenzie Hummer has endured during the last year.

Throughout 2008, she’s undergone the kind of intense chemotherapy and radiation treatment that would break down any adult several times her age.

But Carrie and Doug Hummer admit that it’s gotten tough.

“We’re human,” Carrie said. “We have our days.”

The couple says they put their own anxieties aside in order to be strong not only for Mackenzie, but for her older brother, their son Caleb, who is a sixth-grader at North Ridge Middle School.

The Hummers say they have a strong faith in God, as well as a great support system of family and friends — including Danville District 118 schools and the Rock Church congregation — who’ve helped tremendously.

“God has been a strength for us through this,” said Doug. “We trust in God and believe he’ll heal her.”

Doug is the youth pastor at the Rock Church in Danville.

Mackenzie finishes her treatments at the end of this month, but will continue undergoing periodic tests.

Although she’s cancer-free now, medulloblastoma, the type of cancer she’s recovering from, is considered a high risk for coming back.

Carrie says Mackenzie will have to “stay clean” for five years to be considered in recovery.

“I’m excited,” Mackenzie said with a smile.

She’s looking forward to things getting a little more normal.

She’s going to try to go back to her classroom next semester. Now a fourth-grader, she’s tutored by her teacher after school.

Miles

Chris Griffin has known the Hummer family for a long time. His brother went to school with Doug, and Griffin has coached Caleb in soccer for years. He wanted to do something for the family when he heard about their daughter’s illness.

“I remember the three hours when their entire life changed,” he said.

But instead of typical fundraisers like a bake sale or chili supper, a different kind of fundraiser was in order, Griffin said.

A group of six runners running in the Chicago Marathon will raise money for a trust that will help off-set expenses for the Hummers.

Those who wish to donate may still do so. The group is accepting flat donations.

“I’ve gotten to know them really well through (soccer),” Griffin said.

Griffin is amazed at how well the family has held up.

“Their internal fortitude is just amazing,” he said.

Carol Hummer, Mackenzie’s grandmother, said the family continues to take things one day at a time.

“We know that God is strengthening us,” Carol said.

“We enjoy her every day, because none of us knows if we have a tomorrow. All of us just learn to live a day at a time.”

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