TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON
For the first time since being diagnosed with a rare liver cancer in January, Baby Emmett Smith is finally home with his family.

Charlotte Francis and her nine-month-old son Emmett Smith are returning home to Whitehorse, Yukon after Emmett's successful liver transplant. Emmett was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer, in January and has been in hospital ever since. - photo courtesy of Charlotte Francis

The now nine-month-old was scheduled to return to Whitehorse, Yukon on Aug. 28, said his mother Charlotte Francis, who is originally from Fort McPherson.

Emmett's father, Michael Smith and Emmett's three siblings - two brothers and a sister - were thrilled that the whole family would be together again, Francis said.

"I keep phoning them and telling them how many more days until we're home," she said in a phone interview with News/North on Aug. 27. "Everybody is happy back home."

Emmett was born on Nov. 21 and within five weeks of his arrival, Francis knew he was sick. He refused to eat and seemed to be in pain.

He was examined at the Whitehorse General Hospital where an X-ray revealed a large mass in his abdomen. Emmett and Francis were immediately sent to B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver where he was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer.

After three rounds of chemotherapy, he was transferred to the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton where chemotherapy continued.

Because of the tumour's size and location, Emmett needed a full liver transplant. Fortunately, his father Michael was a match and the pair underwent surgery on May 11.

Since then, Emmett has been busy recovering, Francis said.

Because he was attached to machinery for much of his life, Emmett is still working on catching up on his developmental milestones, such as sitting up unassisted and crawling.

But Francis said she believes it won't be long until he's back on track.

"They're still happy with his progress considering what he's been through," she said. "He can sit up alone for a minute and he's pushing himself up, trying to push himself up on all fours."

Emmett was released from the hospital three weeks ago and he and Francis were staying at a nearby hotel where they would be close enough for Emmett's appointments.

Though it was nice just to be out of the hospital, Francis said she was anxious to return home.

Francis' son, Ari, is scheduled to begin kindergarten this week and she said she had been hoping to be home for his first day of school.

"I was telling the doctor that my son is starting kindergarten and she has three kids so she knows how that is, how you want to be there for that first day," she said. "Finally on Monday we went to the clinic and she said, 'Don't get me wrong we like you, but we don't want to see you again.' She said that and said we could leave by Friday."

Emmett will still have to travel to Edmonton for follow up appointments several times a year, but Francis said his appointments could be reduced to once a year over time.

If all goes well, Emmett will be considered completely cancer free in five years.

In the meantime, Emmett will have access to a medical team in Whitehorse, which will perform bloodwork every week and provide him with a physical therapist and a dietitian.

Francis said the experience has taught her many important lessons.

"Make sure you eat, make sure you sleep. When you're in bad shape, you're no good to your baby. You have to take care of yourself to take care of your baby," she said. "You can't just sit there and cry. You don't realize how strong you are until you have to be."

She said she also learned the importance of asking for help.

"Just make sure you keep talking to family and friends because you're not alone," she said.

"You think you're alone but no, there's a lot of help out there. You just have to ask."

People can keep up with Emmett's progress by visiting the Baby Emmett Smith Facebook page.

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