Paige Jacobs is a determined 14-year-old cheerleader at North Layton Junior High School who just started 9th grade. In August 2021, Paige started experiencing extreme fatigue among other symptoms, such as pale skin, colorless lips, lower back pains, and night sweats.

On August 31, she had an appointment with her primary care physician who drew lab work to determine the basis for her symptoms. Her lab results showed that her white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin were dangerously low and she was transported to the Primary Children’s Hospital emergency room in critical condition. That night at Primary Children's Medical Center (PCMC) she received 4 blood transfusions and 1 platelet transfusion. On September 2nd, 2021, she was diagnosed with Acute B Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

 

We are raising funds to assist with the expenses and medical costs as Paige embarks on her long journey of Leukemia treatment. This will include bi-weekly PCMC IV chemotherapy administrations, bone marrow aspirates, lumbar punctures (spinal taps), oral medication, IV chemotherapy from home every 4 days, bi-weekly labs from home. Depending on the results of her labs, she will receive blood transfusions/platelet transfusions throughout each week. Health Insurance pays for some, but not for nearly enough. She will be receiving cancer treatments for a minimum of 2.5 years, possibly lasting the next 5 years.

Paige is a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, student, friend, and cheerleader. She’s been fantastic at cheering for others, it’s our turn to pick up the pom-poms and cheer for her! We are so blessed to have so many people who care about Paige and our family. All of the support that we receive is greatly appreciated! Thank you for coming with us on Paige’s Path. <3

 

 

 

 

 

Medical History and Updates:

 

-September 1, 2021: Paige was admitted to the cancer/transplant unit to begin treating her symptoms before her diagnosis was determined. That night Paige was given blood transfusions, and 1 platelet transfusion. The next morning she had a bone marrow aspirate and a piece of her bone marrow was taken to be tested.

 

-September 2, 2021: Paige was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The pediatric oncologists explained the importance of beginning chemotherapy as quickly as possible. Paige was taken into surgery, given chemotherapy into her spinal column, and had an IV port surgically implanted into her chest that will be the avenue for her to receive her IV chemotherapy and blood/platelet transfusions throughout the future of her treatment which will last 2 ½ years.

 

-September 3, 2021: Paige began her first round of IV Chemotherapy in her IV Port, which she was nervous and anxious about. The therapy went as expected. During the next week at PCMC, Paige experienced many chemotherapy treatments, and began taking scheduled medications to help fight the cancer cells that were replacing the good blood cells that her body needed to survive (fight sickness, thicken her blood so that it clots, and deliver oxygen to her body providing her strength to walk without being short or breath and color in her lips and face).

-September 10, 2021: Paige was discharged from the hospital to continue her treatments outpatient at PCMC.


-September 17, 2021: Paige went to PCMC and had chemotherapy through her IV port. Afterwards she had a lot of headache pain and was very nauseated on the drive home. 


-September 24, 2021: Paige went to PCMC and had chemotherapy through her IV port. Headaches were a struggle and on the drive home she slept on the backseat of the car. She had very low energy and was worn out the entire day.


-October 1, 2021: Paige went to PCMC and had a Lumbar Puncture, Bone Marrow aspiration, and chemotherapy through her IV port. She is tired, worn out, but positive.


-October 4, 2021: Paige's wig arrived today! This wig was created from Paige's own hair cut and donated to a wig company who partners with Primary Children's hospital to provide wigs at no cost to kids who are losing hair because of chemotherapy treatments. 


-October 7, 2021: Paige was able to attend her sister Jenae's sworn in ceremony, it was wonderful to all be together at the Matteson courthouse.


-October 8, 2021: Paige was scheduled for a Lumbar puncture and chemotherapy at PCMC. However, her ANC (absolute neutrophil count) and platelets were too low for her chemotherapy and lumbar puncture so she did not receive them. Her IV port became infected, so it cannot be accessed. The oncologist team is hoping that this break in chemotherapy will give her IV port more time to heal so she can use it next Friday.  She also got a blood transfusion, which should help increase her energy.  


Paige was recognized at the Northridge High School football half time show. The North Layton Junior High and Northridge High School cheerleaders and dancers all danced to " Fight Song " to give Paige encouragement, and support. It was very touching and Paige loved being outside with her friends. THANK YOU Coach Tracy for making this happen!!



-October 12, 2021: Paige worked on homework and then fell asleep on the couch with Otis. She has a lot more energy today due to the fact she did not have chemotherapy this weekend!


-October 15, 2021: Primary children's chemo day. Paige started 2 new IV chemotherapy treatments today, and had a lumbar puncture with chemotherapy treatment to keep cancer cells out of her spine. She had a great attitude, and has more energy today. 
 
 

-October 16, 2021: IV Chemotherapy treatments will be given from PCMC on Fridays and also from home every Saturday, Sunday, Monday for the next month. She's been struggling with nausea, headaches, and back pain the past few days.

 

-October 18, 2021: Paige said she feels like a "shedding cat", it was time to cut what was left.  Haircut day.


-October 21, 2021: Paige is working hard to complete some assignments before the end of first term.


-October 22, 2021: Chemotherapy treatments went well today at Primary Children's hospital.  Paige first had a Lumbar puncture, chemotherapy in her IV port, and then a blood transfusion. It was a long day, but Paige had a positive and upbeat attitude.


-October 30, 2021: Paige's treatments at Primary Children's hospital went well today. Lumbar puncture, and 1 of her chemotherapy IV meds completed. Tired and nauseated- and excited for Halloween.


-October 31, 2021: Halloween! Paige had fun dressing up and laughing for hours with her good friend Ella. They are Tinkerbell and Wendy!


-November 1, 2021; Chemotherapy treatment today at Primary Children's hospital. Paige was determined to do her homework. The Chemotherapy medication can cause allergic/anaphylactic reactions, so she gets a large dose of IV benadryl before her chemotherapy treatment starts......she was too tired to keep her eyes open long enough to get her homework done.