Flora Needs Your Love and Support

My dear friends in Missouri are in need of prayers and support. I will share their story and if you can give anything at all it will be so appreciated. If nothing else please pray for the precious baby and her family.

Florence Smallwood was born in a hurry on April 28th, 2024. She completed our little family. We have loved watching her grow and watching our two older children just dote on her.

Flora, as we have lovely nicknamed her, was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma pretext III on the day she turned 9 months old. Currently the mass in her liver is 5x3 inches, which is just huge for her little body. We do know the tumor has ruptured and spilled out into her abdomen. Fortunately, the doctors believe the spilled contents have not affected any other organs.

The doctors have started an aggressive chemotherapy regime in order to stop the spread and reduce the size of the tumor in her liver. She will undergo a total of 6 chemotherapy cycles. Each cycle is 21 days long and she will get a round chemo every 7 days.

Flora began the treatment regime February 6th. She will undergo two cycles of chemotherapy before additional testing will tell us if the tumor shrank enough for liver resectioning surgery or if a liver transplant is required. After surgery, Flora will undergo four additional cycles of chemotherapy.

We do know that regardless of which surgery is needed she will be transferred to Children’s Hospital of Colorado in Denver for that procedure.

This has been the most challenging and heartbreaking experience for our family. Navigating her diagnosis and treatment while trying to support and be present for our two other children has been difficult to say the least.

We travel to Children’s Mercy Kansas City every week for chemotherapy. Due to insurance requirements, we must travel in person to Children’s Hospital of Colorado the first of March to establish Flora as a patient. Then again for the actual procedure. The travel is strenuous.

While we have much to balance, we are confident the Good Lord will provide and heal Flora. We have an amazing village behind us. We sincerely thank everyone for checking in on us, praying for us, dropping by meals, and goodies for Flora. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming.

We ask for your continued prayers and support through this difficult time. If you feel inclined and are able we would appreciate any donation big or small. Donations will help fund treatment and travel costs.

We have started a Facebook page that details more specifics and updates about Flora’s treatment if you are interested.

Again, thank you for loving Flora and our family. We love you and your support through this is unmeasurable.

With Gratitude,

Matt, Abby, Leighton, Elowyn, and Flora ❤️