Caught Offguard

December 18,2016 My son Malik "Chance" Ellis, Jr. was diagnosed with A.L.L. (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia).  In the beginning Malik graduated at 16 yrs of age from High school with the intention of joining the Air Force to study engineering.  Unlike most he had some challenges getting in the recruiting system.  One of biggest challenges was to gain weight because he was under the required amount for his height.  He was placed on a creatine and protein diet.  He also went to the gym regularly.  One day he began complaining after working out about groin and leg pain, but the pain would come and go.  Leading up to the day of diagnosis, his complaint increased and pain was prominent from the waist down. He also complained of weakness and numbness to his lower extremities and shortness of breath.  A child that is a musician, multi-lingual, and an athlete all his life could now barely walk without pain and had to depend on mom to perform daily needs.  Malik was taken to the Hospital Emergency Room at my job.  His white blood cell count was extremely high and other labs indicated cancer.  He was transport by ambulance to another hospital in Louisiana (2hrs from home).  His diagnosis was confirmed that night.  Malik will be receiving counseling,chemotherapy, and have at minimum a 30 day hospital stay if he continues to tolerate care.  Since admission he has received initial recommended treatment such as aphaeresis, chemotherapy during diagnostic procedures to identify types of cells growing in his bone marrow.  As a parent I have done everything to take care of my family and we have been in recent financial hardship.  We currently in the process of filing bankruptcy. Payment of care is not the only worry.  I have limited PTO allowed to use for my days off with my son.  Once that runs out I will no longer receive pay.  I know that this is gonna be a financial strain to my family and household.  I am reaching out to family, friends, and community to ask for assistance.  The money donated to our family will help relieve the financial strain of monthly expenses,  food, transportation to and from the hospital and/or clinic.  Mostly it will assist with medical bills and medications he will need to continue his path of healing.  Any amount helps and the sooner the better.