MADISON, N.C. — Days before Thanksgiving, the Smoot family is experiencing a kind of gratitude they once only hoped for. After spending months in Philadelphia for their daughter Lilah’s medical care, Tyler and Katelynn Smoot returned home to North Carolina with uplifting news: 2-year-old Lila has completed her treatment.

The family’s journey drew national attention earlier this fall when pop star Taylor Swift donated $100,000 in support of Lilah’s battle with stage 4 brain cancer, bringing a wave of support from around the country. Now, the Smoots say they are overwhelmed — in the best possible way.

“It’s been very surreal and overwhelming,” said Katelynn. “We’ve been so blessed to have such an amazing community behind us. It just shows how much people are supporting our family, and it means so much.”

Tyler echoed the sentiment, describing the past month as a whirlwind. “It’s nice to be back home and back to a little bit of normal life,” he said.

The emotional high point came during Lila’s final treatment session in Philadelphia, when she was able to ring the ceremonial bell — a milestone marking the end of her medical procedures.

“That was amazing,” Tyler recalled. “She had just come out of anesthesia, so she was groggy and cranky, but even then, she was excited to ring it. Watching her enjoy that moment made it all the more special.”

Katelynn said she couldn’t help but cry. “When we started treatment, we had no idea how long it would go. Now to be done and to look back… it’s surreal and so lovely to be finished.”

Now back in the Triad, the family is settling into a holiday season that carries new meaning. With their home full, their children together, and Lilah’s health improving each day, this Thanksgiving marks the first major holiday the family can celebrate at home since treatment began.

“Not every family going through treatment gets to come home for the holidays,” Tyler said. “We were very fortunate to finish right before everything started.”

Katelynn described the homecoming as “one big hug.”

“I feel so happy to be home, so relieved,” she said. “She has so much energy — you’d never know she just went through aggressive treatment. Coming home before the holidays has been nothing but pure joy.”

With Lilah regaining strength and her appetite returning, the Smoots are eager to create new memories this season.

“We’re going on the Polar Express next week, and I’m so excited,” Katelynn said, smiling. “We haven’t been able to do it with her yet, and she’s at the perfect age. Seeing her face light up with the train, the Christmas atmosphere — it’s going to be so fun.”

After months of appetite loss and weight changes during treatment, Katelynn said she can’t wait for her daughter to enjoy “good home-cooked food” again.

“To see her experience the holiday and truly remember it — that’s what I’m most excited about,” she said.

With both Lilah and her baby brother reunited at home, the Smoots will enjoy their first Thanksgiving as a family of four.