In 2018, Smyrna began to experience headaches and nausea, at first once a week, then nearly every day.
Initially, a neurologist thought Smyrna was suffering from migraines, but even medication didn’t help relieve her discomfort.
Smyrna's family took her to the emergency room, where an MRI revealed medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer.
It's impossible to digest this kind of news.
![smyrna in a hospital bed](/content/sites/www/en_US/home/about-st-jude/stories/meet-our-patients/meet-smyrna/jcr:content/par-1/cnt_row_copy_1784371_1295953773/par-1/cnt_column_copy_copy/par-1/cnt_image_copy_copy.img.16.medium.jpg/1610661565310.jpg)
Smyrna underwent surgery to remove the tumor.
Afterward, her family turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, to continue her care.
Families, like Smyrna's, never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
![smyrna with her family in 2019](/content/sites/www/en_US/home/about-st-jude/stories/meet-our-patients/meet-smyrna/jcr:content/par-1/cnt_row_copy_1508516/par-1/cnt_column_copy_copy/par-1/cnt_image_copy.img.16.medium.jpg/1610662744746.jpg)
Smyrna with her family in 2019
Smyrna’s treatment included radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
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Smyrna is an outgoing, compassionate teen. “Her nature is to help,” said her mom, Akhila. “She always has a smiling face, and she’s always friendly.”
We have a place to stay and families we’ve become friends with. We miss home, but we’re grateful and thankful for St. Jude.
Last year, Smyrna celebrated the end of her treatment with a No More Chemo Party, surrounded by her care team, friends and family.
Smyrna and her parents at her No More Chemo party
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