Izzy's fight with Leukemia
Donation protected
Our daughter Isabella Yates "Izzy" has been diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Our story starts on 2/3, I noticed excessive bruising to her legs and back. On 2/5 I took her to her pediatrician and was reassured that kids with cancer looked "sicker" and that we would get bloodwork out of caution. I was called later that day and told her platelets were low and they were sure she had "ITP" after a viral illness in the previous weeks. I was also told there was a "zero percent chance" my child had cancer. A one week follow up was made. I had to endure waiting for repeat labs knowing something else was wrong. Fast forward to 2/12 we rechecked labs and at that time a stat hem/onc referral was made to Children’s. Less than 24 hours later we were sitting in an exam room at Children’s hospital for two hours waiting on lab results. Finally an oncologist came in and confirmed my gut feeling all along. "Unfortunately this looks like Leukemia" not only was she anemic, low on platelets but her blood smear revealed the one thing you never want to see. Blast cells. We were admitted and she had a blood test done on 2/14 to confirm and type her leukemia. On 2/15 she had surgery which included a port placement, bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture with her first dose of chemo. Thankfully her CSF was clear of Leukemia cells! On 2/16 she had her first dose of chemo to her port. She also had a blood transfusion this day. On 2/19 she had a second dose of chemo to her port. On 2/23 she had her first platelet transfusion and her third dose of chemo to her port. We were discharged 10 days later on 2/23! She is on daily steroids and it's a fight to get her to take them still, we have to monitor her vital signs and have strict precautions to bring her back to Children’s.
We are home and terrified of the unknown and I refuse to leave her side which means I'm not working for an unknown amount of time. Induction phase is 29 days and on March 15th she will have another bone marrow biopsy and we are praying for remission and we can move on to the next phase! After two
weeks off, Eric had to go back to work to keep her insurance that so far is only paying a portion of the initial bills we have received. Up to this point we've only asked for prayers. We could care less what treatment costs she will get the best treatment they have available regardless. We have already been blessed by so many coworkers, family and friends and I could never thank you enough. We're just getting started and we have no idea what the future holds. We've never asked for help but have quickly learned so many people want to help. So here we are. If you feel led to donate, we made a way. More than anything please continue to pray. Izzy has a savings account that was started as an infant and anything we don't use will be put away for her future. Her childhood is forever altered due to cancer but we know she has a bright future ahead of her and we want to make sure she is equipped.
With Love,
Tabitha and Eric Yates
Organizer
Tabitha Yates
Organizer
Vance, AL