Little Cowgirl, Big Courage: Stormy George

In the quiet town of Oreana, Idaho, where only 75 people call home, a storm was brewing—not in the skies, but in the heart of a brave 4-year-old cowgirl named Stormy. It all began a year ago, when her parents noticed something a little off about their resilient girl—a subtle limp that Stormy brushed off with a nonchalant, "No, I'm fine." Little did they know that this was the start of a journey that would test their strength and resilience, a journey that we recognize during September, Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month.

One year ago, at the early hour of 5 am, Stormy's world took a sharp turn. She couldn't walk, and her parents sprung into action, rushed her to the hospital and were introduced to the amazing Dr. Riker. X-rays were taken, suspecting a bone infection, but what unfolded was something far more challenging—the possibility of Leukemia.

The dreaded blood work for Leukemia was conducted, and the results were something no 4 year old should have the responsibility of carrying. Stormy's young life was faced with the harsh reality of cancer. Three things stood out from those agonizing moments: cancer, a bone marrow biopsy, and the confirmation that it was indeed Leukemia.

Without hesitation, Stormy was booked for a port, and her battle against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia commenced on the 10th of September of last year. The journey was divided into phases, transitioning from weekly to monthly chemotherapy sessions. The leukemia had even infiltrated her spinal fluid, making the battle even more intense.

But amongst the chaos and uncertainty, what gave Stormy's family strength was the indomitable spirit of their daughter. Stormy was determined to be strong, and her parents had no choice but to follow her lead. It was a matter of life or death, and Stormy brought her cowgirl grit to fight it every step of the way.

Amidst these trials and tribulations, Erin George's best friend, Karissa with Don't Blink Photography, has been there to capture their journey through her work. On September 14th, 2022, Stormy posed with her beloved pony, Blackie, whom she has cherished since the tender age of 2, just two weeks after her diagnosis. These precious memories were immortalized, a testament to the enduring bond between a girl and her pony. The following month, Blackie had passed away unexpectedly, making these photos even more meaningful. With Blackie's passing, it is believed he passed along all of his strength to his little girl, letting her know she is unstoppable.

She proved herself to be resilient, much like the wild, crazy country girl she had always been. Stormy had never lost herself to the illness. Erin, Stormy's mother, had grown up around horses, and it wasn't long before Stormy fell in love with these magnificent animals too. She rode them, tended to them, and reveled in the world of livestock. In fact, she is set to join 4-H on October 2nd, with her eyes on doing all the horse projects.

Stormy's love for horses extended beyond the world of the movie/tv show "Spirit". She often took her rocking horse along, mimicking the show's trick riding moves, despite the challenges she faced.

As Stormy entered the maintenance phase of her treatment, she is preparing to attend school this fall and even participated in Mutton Bustin TWICE, showcasing her tenacity and determination. The road ahead is long, with treatment set to continue until December 22, 2024, when Stormy will be 7 years old. But with her incredible spirit and the unwavering support of her family, there's no doubt that she will overcome this battle.

During this Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month, Stormy's journey reminds us all of the courage and resilience that patients and their families display in the face of these challenging diseases. Her cowgirl strength continues to be a beacon of hope, and her story serves as a reminder that even the fiercest storms can be weathered with courage, love, and the support of a community that stands together during this important awareness month. We are truly inspired to be Cowgirl Stormy Strong.