Hudson Lillystone: Super Heroes Come in All Sizes

Hudson has faced her battle with cancer with amazing strength, channeling the power of her favorite superheroes, Superman and Ironman. When she puts on the red cape that a family friend made for her, she becomes "Super" Hudson.

Like her heroes, Hudson also had a faithful sidekick while staying at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She named her IV pole-her constant companion in the hospital-Super Bernie and gave him his own red superhero cape. Hudson has an indomitable spirit that is contagious, and the nurses, doctors and staff enjoyed her spirited presence.

After finishing her inpatient stay at the Aflac Cancer Center, Hudson and her family were able to return home and prepare for her long-term outpatient chemotherapy treatment. Through it all, she has remained incredibly brave. She has never let cancer or its intimidating treatment get the best of her.

When Hudson began to lose her hair, she asked her parents if she could shave her head. "We got out the clippers and she smiled through the whole thing," her mother, Emily, said. Hudson likes to confidently declare that she is "Hudson Strong" and never wants to cover up the fact that she has a bald head.

When Hudson was once asked at the playground why she had no hair, she responded, "I have leukemia. Why does everybody keep asking me that?"

When Hudson finishes her initial round of chemotherapy, she will then enter the lower-dose maintenance phase, which will last until 2016. Her family is optimistic, and Hudson is still planning on taking swimming lessons and going to dance camp. For a superhero like Hudson, nothing is impossible.