My name is Alexis, and this is my beautiful, sweet, smart, and outgoing daughter Marleigh.
On Friday, March 21st, 2025, Marleigh went to see her pediatrician for what we thought was a normal 15-month check-up. While completing her physical exam, the pediatrician felt what she described as a mass on Marleigh’s upper left quadrant of her stomach. We were sent to our local children’s hospital for an ultrasound and X-ray. Later that day, while shopping for my upcoming birthday weekend festivities, we received a call from the pediatrician stating the ultrasound showed a mass tumor and that we needed to take Marleigh to the children’s ER immediately, where we were admitted for further testing. On Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, Marleigh completed a CT scan which confirmed a mass tumor 10cm in size sitting in front of her left kidney.
On Monday, March 24th, 2025, Marleigh completed her first biopsy. The biopsy results came back later in the week and confirmed Marleigh has a mass tumor coming off of her adrenal glands, which sits on top of her kidneys, called a neuroblastoma. After completing further testing, the tumor was categorized as aggressive, meaning Marleigh will have to undergo aggressive treatment. Her treatment plan includes many more CT scans, chemotherapy, MIBG scans, bone marrow transplants, and stem harvesting, which is estimated to take about 18 months.
At the moment, I’m currently on a leave of absence from my job, unpaid. Unfortunately, I have not been with the company for a year yet (one month shy) and I don’t quite qualify for FMLA. I would appreciate any donations that can help with any and all finances associated with the care of Marleigh as we will have to travel to a different hospital for certain procedures. I would appreciate anything to help continue to afford my month-to-month obligations as I have exhausted my PTO from my job at this time. Thank you for taking the time to read my baby girl's story as it is still in the making. We are praying for a speedy recovery, and she has many family and friends, as well as both parents, supporting every step of the way.