Help Serenity Love on her Journey to fight Cancer

From Brittney & Elvis

 

On August 11th, our daughter Serenity Love Henson was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or (A.L.L.) which is the most common type of blood cancer in children. It affects certain cells in the immune system that makes children more likely to get infections. The disease starts in the bone marrow, which is the spongy center of bones where new blood cells grow. The leukemia cells grow extremely fast and crowd the bone marrow, so the bone marrow has trouble making enough normal cells. Cells needed to fight off infections.

 

 

It started with a constant fatigue, which we thought was related to band camp until we noticed bruising on her legs without reason. One day after band practice, she was looking very pale from her face and lips. She explained that she wasn't feeling good that whole day and during practice she started seeing saturated colors which made it difficult for her to focus. At one point she was feeling dizzy and lightheaded. It was then we decided to take her to the ER. where we were told that Serenity’s red and white blood cells and her platelets were all low. They told us that she was very anemic and was on the border line of needing a blood transfusion and that she needed to be taken to a children's hospital immediately. So we took her to Dell Children's Hospital in Austin. The very next morning on August 11th, the blood work results were in and our worst nightmare came true, she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Our hearts sank, the doctors informed us that she needed a port-a-cath, also referred to as a port, is an implanted device which allows easy access to a patient’s veins and is surgically-inserted completely beneath the skin that consists of two parts – the portal and the catheter. She would also be going through an intense chemotherapy treatment for the next 2 to 3 years and will need to get frequent checkups to make sure the cancer doesn’t come back once it’s in remission. And just like that Serenity started her first phase of chemo treatments. The doctors also performed a bone marrow test called a Lumbar Puncture or (Spinal Tap) to test whether or not leukemia cells had spread into the fluid around the spinal cord and brain. After about week, the results came back negative and she was finally able to go home.

 

 

On October 4th, Serenity Love was going to bed for the night when she suddenly felt weird like something horrible was about to happen so she jumped out of bed and tried to call out for her mother but wasn’t able to open the door. Her sister who was still up at the time said that something was terribly wrong with Serenity and that she looked lost or confused. Serenity then collapsed on the floor, hit her face, and started convulsing. Having never experienced a seizure before, we thought the worst and called 911. At the hospital a CT scan and a MRI was done and everything looked normal. They didn’t find anything wrong at the time that could have caused her seizure but the doctors suspected Methotrexate Toxicity (a toxic level of chemo). After a few days in the hospital she was released on October 7th. Soon as we arrived home Serenity went straight to bed but after a 2 hour nap she woke up with stroke like symptoms and had difficulties breathing, so immediately we went back to the hospital. The doctors then ran an emergency MRI on her and this time doctors confirmed Methotrexate Toxicity. Serenity Love would spend her 17th birthday (October 12th) in the hospital. She wasn’t able to celebrate it with her brother (Elvis), sister (Kaylie), dog (Noah), and her cat (Peachy) who she all adores.

 

 

We recently moved from the Houston area to Elgin, Texas which is outside of Austin, Texas to be closer to some family and within 2 weeks of the move tragedy struck our family. She was eagerly looking forward to starting her junior year at a new school with a new band and couldn’t wait to make new friends. Unfortunately that didn’t happen and she can no longer participate in band. She is currently homebound from school. Chemotherapy has caused her to become immunocompromised and extremely fatigue. It has also caused her to utilize a cane or walker to get around. At the moment we borrow a family members vehicle to get her to appointments because ours isn't reliable and costly repairs are needed. Along with medical expenses some of the support would be going towards the repairs. Serenity has such a big heart she loves her family dearly and its been such a blessing having her in our lives and watching her become a young lady. As Serenity's parents we would greatly appreciate any help at this difficult time, we kindly ask you to share Serenity’s story and please keep our family in your prayers. Thank you and God Bless.