Support Brielle's Fight Against Burkitt's Lymphoma

Our journey began August 7th of this year when Brielle’s biological Father & I noticed a lump on the left side of her neck. Brielle has battled chronic ear and strep infection since a baby. The appointments began and we were referred back to her ENT in Lake Havasu City, Dr. Devin Cunning. We had the preliminary appointment, were placed on antibiotics and were hoping thelump would go away (we were thinking of an infected lymph node?). We returned back to Dr. Cunnings’ office on August 30th for a fine needle biopsy as after finishing the full antibiotic course, the lump was still there. Dr. Cunning recommended the next day we drive down to Phoenix and walk in emergently with Brielle to Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH) for a higher level of care. Coordination of this was key as we do not have a safe vehicle to travel that long of a distance outside of Kingman as Phoenix is a 3 hour drive for us, if traffic permits. My Aunt Sara on a whim, drove Brielle and myself down on Phoenix Children’s Hospital Arrowhead campus on August 31st. After CT scans in the ER, labs, and Ultrasounds, it was determined Brielle needed to be admitted and we were sent to the Thomas Main location of PCH later that evening of August 31st. We were inpatient after that for 30 days. After even more testing, surgery to test a sample of the mass on her neck, it was determined she has Stage IV Burkitt’s lymphoma. The only visible mass we had seen was the one that appeared in the beginning of August; we discovered Brielle had masses attached to every organ besides her brain, heart, and no cancer found in her bone marrow. I feel by the grace of god with our timing, we caught it just in time. Brielle has a six month treatment plan that has included so far nine lumbar punctures with intrathecal chemo placed to ensure it does not spread to herbone marrow, along with numerous other chemotherapy infusions she must receive viaport-catheter in her chest. With all this has left myself and Cody unable to work so we are able to attend to her at bedside. Cody is Brielle and I’s emotional support through all of this. We do not have a return date home as of yet. PCH is very hesitant on releasing us home due to the distance between the home and the hospital so we are currently being placed at Ronald McDonald here in Phoenix. With that comes uber expenses to get to and from the hospital (medical transport does not pick up unless child is with) as someone must stay each night at Ronald McDonald to keep placement. Brielle must be admitted for each chemotherapy round as outpatient isn’t an option, so we have to make it work. We cannot both be with Brielle at night and that is a big struggle for her, but we make it work. I have a social worker whom I work alongside with and was told uber gift cards are not available. She is trying to help offset the costs with food gift cards but it is truly not enough and we are struggling. Our bills at home have been able to be maintained by the gracious fundraisers some of our community members have thrown but now the stress is starting to settle as this is looking like it will be a longer stay than anticipated. Any donation will help as we are trying to maintain two households now, one we left in Kingman, and the one we have to begin here in Phoenix, along with no transportation. I maintain hope andI know this is just going to be another chapter in our lives.

I appreciate each and everyone of you. The love we feel from our community members is truly shocking at times. We are overwhelmed with love and it is a beautiful feeling under the circumstances we are under. If you cannot donate, please help in spreading awareness for Brielle using the #BrielleStrong hashtag on social media. More than anything, getting her storyout there to show her strength and to show fellow kids they are not alone means the most. Only 4% of the government's cancer research budget goes towards pediatric cancers. A lot isunknown but one thing I do know is Brielle is STRONG# ChildhoodCancerAwareness #BrielleStrong