Of all the hale and hearty second graders in Magda Guerrero's portable classroom unit, the only thing that distinguished 7-year-old Anahi Fregoso from her classmates was her military-style buzz cut. Otherwise, there was nothing else to indicate her nine-month battle with leukemia, or the grueling regimen of chemotherapy she continues to endure.

"Oh, we are so happy to have Anahi back," Guerrero said. "The students were just counting down the days until she would return."

Despite the enthusiasm of Anahi's classmates, Guerrero worked closely with Primary School administrators to ensure that she would be treated just like any other student on her April 16 return to school.

Prepared Whole School

"We prepared the whole school for her return," Guerrero said. "We talked about how students had to be careful not to hug her too hard because she has a port (permanent IV) in her chest for the chemo. And we talked about the fact that she was going to be bald, and that nobody was to make fun of her for that."

When Anahi did return, however, Guerrero said that students welcomed her with open arms, hugging her and asking how she felt. Many asked permission to touch her bald head, not knowing what it would feel like. But after they said their hellos, they went about their day normally.

Even though Anahi has been out of school since September, she is not far behind her classmates. This is due largely to the efforts of Guerrero and fellow teacher Kara Mikesell, who home-schooled her once a week throughout her absence.

Now that she's back, one of Anahi's biggest problems is who she'll pick to play with at recess. There is no shortage of volunteers, according to Guerrero.

She Never Complains

"Anahi is very friendly and she gets along with everybody," she said. "She's very happy and never complains. And, oh yes, everybody wants to play with her."

Guerrero said that one of the ways Anahi adds to her classroom is through her generosity. She takes pride in her artwork, but is always drawing pictures for her friends and classmates. There are other things as well.

"She's very cooperative and willing to help others," Guerrero said. "Her group didn't get to do their science project on ladybugs today because their little partner is out with pink eye. But Anahi was willing to help out the other students. With a big smile on her face she'd say to them, 'Let's try it this way!' or 'Let's do this!'"

More Chemotherapy Ahead

While to Guerrero's eye, Anahi appears noticeably better, she said that the 7-year-old is still facing at least two more years of monthly chemotherapy sessions at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco. She also must leave school the Monday before each session to do blood work at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa.

But chemotherapy was the furthest thing from young Anahi's mind as she romped outside with her friends during recess. She wore a hat to protect her skin (which chemotherapy has rendered sensitive to sunlight) but otherwise seemed in good spirits. After the bell rang, and the lot cleared of students, Anahi hung around with friends Elia Rubio and Al Ejandra Rodriguez.

When asked what was the best thing about having Anahi back, 7-year-old Rubio said, "It's nice because I like to play with her. She shares her toys with me and she's nice, too." Rubio also said that she enjoys playing in the sandbox with her friend, and pushing her on the school's swing set.

Listening to the praise of her friends, Anahi grinned as if to say, "Isn't this all silly?"

She tugged insistently at their arms, and the giggling trio ran off to rejoin their classmates.

Story first published in the St. Helena Star on June 2, 2005. Reprinted with permission.