Happy 22nd Birthday To My Wonderful Cancer Survivor Daughter

Nothing can make a guy feel old like his first daughter's birthday. And nothing can make a father more thankful than the thought that she might not have made it to this birthday at all.

This is my daughter, Katarina, and I. The photo was taken 10 years ago, when she was 12.

When she was 11 years old, she was diagnosed with periosteal osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. She was living with her mother and step-father in California when it was discovered that the tumor growing on her right shin had grown to nearly the size of a second kneecap.

Being a Canadian citizen, it was decided that it would be best that she and the family move back up to Canada for treatment, as it would have cost an unfathomable amount of money to have her treated in California (to my understanding, upwards of over a million dollars). The above photo was taken shortly after she arrived back in Canada.

She was treated in the Alberta Children's Hospital and supported with help from the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, a charity that I happily donate to when I can.

She underwent numerous sessions of chemotherapy, including some experimental treatments, to reduce the size of the tumor. Once that finally happened, the doctors had to remove it from her shin, as well as her right knee.

It certainly wasn't the easiest time of our lives, with nearly a year of treatments, but we are beyond elated that she came through it, and has been in remission for about 8 years now.

She will be entering her third year of university this year, working toward a doctorate in biological sciences. And I am confident that she is going to help change the world.

I love you always, my girl. Happy birthday.

---