Gary Short, Naomi’s father, said test results taken Tuesday showed concerning numbers indicating her kidneys may not be working at full capacity, which is a concern as she starts chemotherapy.
“They’re hoping it’s a false positive, because if it is that, they’re going to have to change her whole chemo thing around, because the chemo she was going to get originally already has a side effect of messing the kidneys up,” he said.
Naomi remains anxious about the chemotherapy, knowing it can make her very sick and wear her out. She’s expected to be in the hospital for five or six days this time, with chemo planned for up to six months.
Meanwhile, during an afternoon interview Wednesday, Gary Short received a Twitter message granting one of her “bucket list” wishes: to become a deputy.
“Oh, wow,” he said. “The Butler County Sheriff’s Office just messaged, and they said they would like to bring Naomi in and have the sheriff deputize her.”
The sheriff’s office also recently delighted her by having her meet a white horse that was decorated like her favorite animal, a unicorn. She’s also hoping to be on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and her family has been contacted by them.
“There’s no actual cure for what she has,” a form of cancer that makes up only 0.1 percent of all childhood cancers, Gary Short said. “They were basing her treatment off of an old treatment that seemed to have good results.
“But the big thing they were expecting was the proton radiation to kill the tumors. They’re still considered unchanged. It didn’t do what they were expecting, and they do not seem like they have very much confidence in chemo now.”
If chemotherapy doesn’t seem to be working after three months, “they’re not going to continue to do it, and put her body through it,” he said.
Given that, aside from prayer, “We’re just trying to make memories and have her enjoy everything,” he said.
The family has posted ways to help on the Facebook page called Naomi’s Fight: Naomi Strong.
If not for a miracle that saved Gary Short’s life, Naomi would never have been born, he said.
“I am a miracle, actually,” he said with a laugh. “Back in ‘08, I had three strokes, and I was in a coma for like 10 days, and I coded three times on the way to the hospital.
“The doctors told my Mom that I was going to be a vegetable. If I ever walked again or anything, my kidneys would never work. And here I am, 11 years later now, with two more kids, healthy as can be and everything.”
He has six children, the youngest two with Naomi’s mother, Melissa Short.
“Just pray for our nerves,” said Melissa Short.
Butler County Chief Deputy Tony Dwyer confirmed plans for Naomi to become a deputy.
“They ran it up the flag pole and the sheriff approved it, so now we’re in the process of trying to get the schedules together to get her in, swear her in, and get her her ceremonial badge,” he said.
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