At just five years old, Braelynn Smith is full of sass and character. This young girl from Prattville, Alabama, enjoys the simple pleasures of childhood—Hello Kitty, coloring books, and riding her bike. She loves princesses, pizza, and, of course, the color pink. However, there is one thing that Braelynn desires more than anything else right now, something that transcends crayons and cartoons: to recover.
Braelynn’s life took an unexpected turn last November when she was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The diagnosis was a devastating blow to her family, but Braelynn has demonstrated remarkable resilience. She is currently undergoing delayed intensification therapy, a crucial phase in her fight against leukemia. Unfortunately, the journey has been anything but smooth. Braelynn has contracted two viruses during her treatment, and the impact on her small body has been significant. Fatigue has set in, and she finds herself sleeping more than usual.
Her single mother, Nevvan Smith, is striving to keep everything together, but life has been anything but ordinary for her as well. Nevvan is also caring for her 2-year-old son, Tylon, who is facing his own battle with cancer: testicular cancer. It’s a family in crisis, with a mother’s love stretched thin as she manages the weight of two children’s serious health issues. Tylon’s scans are scheduled for November 20th, and Nevvan is anxiously hoping for positive results.
“I’m praying for positive results,” Nevvan expressed during our conversation. Her voice was filled with hope, yet beneath her words, one could sense the fear and exhaustion that only a mother in such unimaginable circumstances could truly understand.
Braelynn’s treatment is set to transition into a new phase next month. The delayed intensification therapy will conclude, and Braelynn will enter the maintenance stage, a long-awaited milestone in her battle against leukemia. “We have a doctor’s appointment next Tuesday, and we’re hoping the results don’t necessitate Braelynn being hospitalized,” Nevvan shared, a note of concern evident in her words. For a mother who has endured so much already, the thought of her daughter being hospitalized again is a heavy burden to carry.
Throughout this ordeal, Braelynn has remained remarkably optimistic. She’s a little warrior, determined to keep her spirit alive through it all. However, the toll on her body has been undeniable. The latest round of treatment has caused Braelynn to lose her hair, a visible reminder of the battle she’s facing. Nevvan’s voice softened as she spoke about this recent development. “This latest treatment has resulted in Braelynn losing her hair,” she said, the pain clear in her tone. It’s a moment every mother dreads, witnessing their child lose something so fundamental to their sense of self, especially at such a young age.
As a mother, Nevvan’s heart is heavy, but she is resolved to stay strong for her children. Her voice trembled, yet she continued to push forward, remaining hopeful despite the overwhelming weight of the situation. She has learned to take things one day at a time, to cherish the small victories, and to keep fighting alongside her children, no matter how challenging the road ahead may appear.
When I spoke with Nevvan, I offered her the best words I could muster. I told her that it would be alright, that things would improve. It’s the only thing one can say when words feel insufficient, when faced with a reality that no parent should have to endure.
But the reality is, there’s nothing more powerful than a mother’s love. Nevvan’s love for her children is fierce and unwavering. Even in the face of these unimaginable challenges, she has managed to keep hope alive, to keep fighting, and to keep believing that brighter days are on the horizon.
Braelynn and Tylon’s fight is far from over, but they are not alone. Their mother’s strength, combined with the support of their community, is what will help them persevere. For every difficult day, there’s a moment of grace, a moment when hope pierces through the darkness.
As Nevvan stated, “I’m praying for positive results.” And I, too, will pray for those positive outcomes, for Braelynn, for Tylon, and for their incredible mother, who exemplifies what true strength looks like.
