“In this family, No one fights alone” #TeamEmma

Back in June of this year Emma was just 2 1/2 years old. She rarely got sick but our lives were turned upside down when a long lasting fever and multiple visits to our local ER landed us on a transfer to a Children’s Hospital. After days of waiting, not many symptoms to go off of and thinking it couldn’t happen to us, we never expected what was to come.

Emma was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Even still, just writing those words is difficult.

My gorgeous little miracle, had cancer. Cancer flowing in her blood throughout her entire little body.

How? Why? How?

The questions, the shock, the grief. There was no pause, no time to take it in. There was an IV port inserted in her chest and her treatments started immediately after.

It’s been 4 months now. As a parent one of the cruelest challenges has to be seeing your baby suffer and feeling helpless. Hearing what the procedures will entail. The symptoms and side effects they will cause. Knowing someone is cutting into your babies perfect skin, seeing needles and cords hanging from their tiny bodies, having chemo flowing through their veins. It’s a parents worst nightmare. We are told it is a 2 1/2 year process so we still have so far to go but she has been through so much already. Lumber punctures, bone marrow aspirations, chemo infusions, blood & platelet transfusions, allergic reactions, symptom control, numerous medications multiple times a day, avoiding crowds... The list is endless. All things that kids shouldn’t have to deal with. Shes so much stronger than even I anticipated and has been forced to grow so much in such a short time. Sometimes all I can do is just comfort her through the unexpected.

I haven’t told many but I’m seeing that thinking we can do it alone is unnecessary pride speaking. The truth is, it is overwhelming. It’s just me and Emma. Staying away from home for weeks at a time & medical expenses have become a big part of our lives. Not having an income, having to choose between working or being there for her & stressing about losing your home all while your little everything is taking on cancer treatments has been paralyzing. Emma is just a baby. She’s silly, compassionate, loves to share and take care of others. I’ve seen medications try to dim her shine and take away her silly. All I want is to keep some kind of normalcy for her throughout all of this. Every donation will help us stay in our home, cover medical & travel expenses, and basic needs while I care for her.

We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many friends and family who not only cheer her on, but take the time every day to ask about her, help me bring smiles to her face and most importantly, pray for her healing. So many times it’s just someones kind words that hold us up when times seem too hard to bear and keep us strong enough to end the day with gratefulness despite the diagnosis.

To those that can support, share this link or even just help us pray; We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us & giving Emma the best chance at fighting this battle