If attitude is something we're born with, 13-year-old Brittany Buhovicky was born with the most positive attitude a person can have.

With a smile and a shrug, the Sharon teenager will explain how she was diagnosed with leukemia and that she's facing rounds of chemotherapy every 10 days for the next 56 days, and more after that for years to come.

"It's going to be a rough road ahead," she said.

Brittany knows every medication she has taken in the past and what she's taking now.

Ask her if she wants her picture taken with her "hair" on or off and she'll say it doesn't matter to her.

She wants to be a nurse when she grows up so she can help other kids with cancer.

The road to the diagnosis of cancer was a frustrating one for the Buhovicky family.

Their story started almost a year ago when she began having joint pains, said Brittany's mom, Mary Ann. Doctors diagnosed her with junior rheumatoid arthritis and put her on medication but it didn't help, Mrs. Buhovicky said. The medication caused Brittany to have stomach problems, she said.

Brittany was bedridden because of the pain, and each episode of pain lasted longer and longer. "You couldn't get near her," Mrs. Buhovicky said.

The disks in Brittany's back began to deteriorate because of one medication she was taking, and doctors ordered her to have an MRI which led to the diagnoses of leukemia on New Year's Eve.

"I was so upset. I had to tell her," Mrs. Buhovicky said.

"It didn't really hit me," Brittany said of the news.

Mother and daughter agree that it was a relief to finally know what was causing Brittany's pain.

She spent six weeks in the hospital. "I came home the day of the Super Bowl and went back the next day for two more weeks," Brittany said.

Her mother slept in her hospital room every night. "Six weeks in this really uncomfortable, fold out chair," Brittany said.

"Just being near her helped," Mrs. Buhovicky said. "The first couple of months was pure hell."

The Buhovicky's have a host of pets in their home, and one in particular appeared to be in tune with Brittany and her pain.

Hoover, a Labrador and shepherd mix dog, started getting sick around the same time as Brittany started having pains, Mrs. Buhovicky said. She said Hoover would limp until Brittany's pain went away.

The veterinarian couldn't find anything wrong with Hoover, and his cycle of pain and wellness continued all summer long, Mrs. Buhovicky said. She said since Brittany started her chemotherapy in January, Hoover hasn't limped once.

Brittany has gone from not being able to walk to taking some steps slowly. "I kind of waddle," she said.

These days the family -- which includes Brittany's father Joe and brother Joey -- is looking forward to brighter days ahead.

The Make A Wish Foundation is sending Brittany to Disney World in Florida. The trip will be filled with firsts for Brittany. It will the first time in Florida and the first time she will meet her aunt who lives there.

"It's a bonus because I get to meet my aunt," Brittany said. She said she talks to her aunt on the phone and gets gifts in the mail but they've never seen each other.

Brittany said she's also looking forward to swimming, camping and maybe a trip to Kennywood Park this summer.

Brittany said she's caught up on her school work though she hasn't been able to attend Monsignor Geno J. Monti School, Farrell, since December.

She said her friends are OK with the fact that she has cancer and have helped her along the way.

Her friend Carrie Meyer and her mother Emily, West Middlesex, among other friends and neighbors, visit frequently, Brittany said.

She said she and Carrie watch movies, play cards and have sleepovers.

Our Lady of Fatima is holding a benefit spaghetti dinner to help the Buhovickys with their expenses.

Mrs. Buhovicky -- who had to quit her job when Brittany got sick -- said while they have insurance the family has incurred other expenses that people don't realize. such has a higher heating bill to keep the house nice and warm for Brittany.

For a time the family was also paying a high co-pay for Brittany's medications, she said.

The dinner is from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Fatima Hall on Union Street in Farrell. Tickets will be available at the door.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharonherald.com