In her final weeks, 12-year-old Teryn urged her mom to stay on track to graduate.
By Kysa Anderson Daniels
CLARKSTON, Ga.—When Tiffany Harris celebrates the completion of her nursing degree this week, she will think about those who helped her get there. She can’t imagine anyone being prouder than her 12-year-old daughter, Teryn Buster.
“I really don’t want to be the reason that you don’t finish nursing school,” Teryn told her mom just weeks before the preteen died after a two-year bout with cancer.
Tiffany Harris, holding a photo of her daughter, Teryn, who died from cancer in July, is surrounded by fellow nursing student friends. Harris credits, from left, Jeremiah Johnson, Natalie George, Christina Ireland, Erika Astorga, Emily Wasileski and Cecilia Barcelos with helping her to finish nursing school while also grieving the death of her daughter. At Perimeter College’s Dec. 18 Commencement, they’ll celebrate completing their associate degrees in nursing. Photo by Bill Roa
Despite Teryn’s words, Harris sank into a near debilitating grief when Teryn died in July. The loss, which followed Teryn’s public journey with the disease, was so crushing, Harris almost abandoned her pursuit of a nursing degree from Georgia State University’s Perimeter College.
Anyone who followed Teryn’s story in the media wouldn’t be surprised she wanted her mom to keep going. Teryn was effervescent and passionate about karaoke, dancing and writing original song lyrics. She was pretty good at science, too, Harris said.
Teryn’s story attracted publicity. Insurance giant Aflac invited and considered Teryn’s feedback as the corporation developed a robotic duck to help child cancer patients express their feelings. In 2017, Aflac sent Teryn to New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Good Morning America” co-host and cancer survivor Robin Roberts sent Teryn a personal video of encouragement.
Earlier this year, Hyundai surprised Teryn with a pair of Super Bowl tickets, and the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation provided Teryn many opportunities, including meeting singer Kelly Clarkson and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
“She was a light, she really was,” Harris said.
Harris began her nursing studies at Perimeter in January 2018, a year after doctors diagnosed Teryn with germ cell cancer. The doctors thought Teryn could beat the cancer with a few rounds of chemotherapy. It went into remission for a year, but returned and spread aggressively, beyond treatment.
Teryn Buster with Aflac's robotic duck that helps child cancer patients express feelings. Aflac invited and considered Teryn’s feedback as they developed the duck. Photo courtesy of Aflac.
Until the cancer returned, Harris was more concerned about the sickle cell anemia that Teryn had been dealing with since she was a baby. The serious blood disease is what fueled Harris’ initial interest in nursing.
After Teryn died, six of Harris’ fellow nursing students, who she affectionately calls her “posse,” refused to let her quit. They promised to stick by her during her mourning and to support her as she finished her last semester.
“I didn't think I'd be able to come back,” Harris said. “But they convinced me. They said, ‘We're all going to get to the finish line together.’”
On Dec. 18, they arrive. That’s Commencement day for Perimeter students earning associate degrees.
And in February, Harris will begin work as a registered nurse at Piedmont Rockdale hospital. Two of her “posse” friends will be with her — as well as the inspiration Teryn gave her to finish her degree.
“My friends would always say, ‘you know she’s helping you,’” Harris said. “They saw Teryn as my angel.”