When Cheryl and her husband Paul noticed small differences in their youngest daughter, Natalie, they couldn’t have imagined the journey ahead. As a baby, Natalie’s head seemed slightly larger than normal, and her pediatrician recommended genetic testing. After a series of tests, the family learned that Natalie carries a PTEN gene mutation, a condition that increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast, thyroid, and skin cancer.

“It was a huge blessing that we found out early,” Cheryl shared. “A lot of people don’t know they have this mutation until they already have cancer. We were grateful to catch it when Natalie was little.”

Since then, Natalie’s care has required frequent monitoring and procedures to remove tumors from her body. Her first major surgery happened when she was in fourth grade, after doctors discovered a growth on her breast that had reached the size of a softball. Thankfully, it was benign, but it wouldn’t be the last.

Over the years, Natalie has had multiple surgeries to remove additional tumors, as well as her thyroid, which developed recurring nodules. Despite everything, Cheryl said her daughter remains strong and positive. “She’s a trooper,” she said. “If you met her, you’d never know what she’s been through.”

Now at the age 18 and a senior from high school, Natalie is preparing for reconstructive surgery at Cleveland Clinic, where she is receiving care through their specialized PTEN Clinic, one of the few in the country. “We had been working with Texas Children’s Hospital for years, but when we moved to Missouri, it became harder to keep up with her appointments,” Cheryl explained. “The doctors in Texas recommended Cleveland Clinic as the best next step for her long-term care.”

Traveling from Missouri to Ohio several times a year quickly became a challenge. When their PTEN care team mentioned Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Cheryl said it was an unexpected gift. “We’d never stayed at a Ronald McDonald House before,” she said. “We weren’t sure what to expect, but it was such a blessing. We had seven appointments in three days; oncology, endocrinology, dermatology, breast specialist, plastic surgery — and the House was right across the street.”

The stay offered far more than convenience. “It truly felt like a home away from home,” Cheryl said. “We could relax, play games, eat meals together, and just breathe after long days at the hospital. The volunteers were so kind and helpful, and we met other families going through their own challenges. It made such a difference.”

Natalie’s care plan includes annual visits to Cleveland and future surgeries, including a reconstructive procedure that will help restore symmetry and prepare her body for a possible mastectomy later in life. “She’s handled it all with such grace,” Cheryl said. “We just want her to feel confident and comfortable in her own skin.”

As Cheryl reflected on their journey, she expressed gratitude for the support their family has received. “The Ronald McDonald House gave us stability when everything else felt uncertain,” she said. “We’re so thankful for the people who make that possible. It means more than they could ever know.”