Ellie had been experiencing lots of stomach pain on and off for the past two months, when taken to two different doctors, they missed many symptoms and presumed it was just constipation. Her mother’s intuition felt it was worse and after an evening out seeing Christmas lights, Ellie’s grandmother noticed part of her abdomen was slightly distended during a bath. Earlier in the day, Ellie couldn’t even walk a few blocks home without stopping to rest. Ellie had been a little sick the past few weeks, with a fever sometimes, tiredness, pain and just not her perky self.

 

Ellie, just seven years old, was taken to the emergency room at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital on Saturday evening, December 12, where they determined that she had some sort of mass or bleeding around her kidney. She was transported by ambulance that night to Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento where they have more pediatric services.

 

By Monday morning, December 13, it was determined that a large mass had taken over her kidney and was bleeding. Ellie was scheduled to have the mass (and her left kidney!) removed as soon as possible. Her red blood count was too low to do it that day, so it was scheduled for Wednesday, December 15, so she could have a blood transfusion first.

 

The radical, invasive four-hour surgery will remove her large tumor (8”x 6”x 6”) and her entire kidney. After removal, they will determine the type of cancer she has and ensure it has not spread to other parts of her little body. She will have three pediatric surgeons handling the delicate surgery, in hopes of full removal of all cancer cells.

 

The oncologist has advised that Ellie will need chemotherapy after the surgery  for six months. The chemo will require that she be homeschooled for the rest of the school year,
because she will be immunocompromised. This will be tough because Ellie loves school. Ellie’s mother, Julia Pavan, is self-employed as a hairstylist and will be unable to work full time (or may have limited availability) for many months so that she can care for Ellie.

Besides school, Ellie likes to laugh, draw, paint, read, and learn. She loves unicorns, mermaids and just enjoys life. The next few months will be a challenge for her.

 

Ellie will also have a different Christmas this year. She will have to stay home, not seeing extended family, her cousins, or her friends because of her immunocompromised condition and because Covid is still a concern. She will lose her hair shortly after chemo begins and we hope to be able to get her some fun wigs or head coverings.

 

Funds raised here will go for medical bills (including copays, emergency room visits, ambulance transports, and chemotherapy/radiation), Julia’s expenses staying at the hospital throughout Ellie’s stay, transportation to and from frequent chemotherapy/radiation, and their living expenses for the next nine months while Julia is unable to work.

 

Any donation helps, whether $5, $25, or $100. And Ellie’s family appreciates all donations and any prayers for Ellie’s full healing and restored health.