Help Emerson Fight Leukemia
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On Friday, April 27th, we took Emerson to the hospital due to a fever and chest and back pains. X-Rays were done but nothing was found so she was sent home. She continued having extreme pain and a fever so on Sunday, we went back to the hospital where they did some more tests including blood tests. A little later, the doctor came back to the room and asked us to step into a small room where our lives would be turned upside down.
The doctor explained that based on the blood test results, our beautiful 6 year old daughter had Leukemia and she would need to be immediately transported to the closest Children's Hospital for specialized care. We were stunned and had no idea what to think or even say......our daughter has Cancer.
On Monday, the Pediatric Oncologist came to visit us and explained that Emerson had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and that they would need to do port surgery, take a bone marrow biopsy, and do a spinal tap to start her treatment. Shortly after the surgery, the nurses began Emerson's first chemotherapy treatment. It was scary but she was a tough little trooper and got thru the treatment.
The following day, we were elated to find that the Leukemia was not found in her spinal fluid, which was a great sign. The news was great, but she still has a long road ahead of her, as the doctors have explained to us that she will spend at least 6 or more weeks in the hospital with regular chemotherapy treatments, further bone marrow biopsies, and medical treatments. Eventually she will be able to come home but her life and that of our family will certainly not be normal. Depending on her health, she will miss school, not be able to go out in public, and not be able to play with her friends. We struggle with how we are going to tell her that her life won't be the same.....how do you tell that to a 6 year old child?
Even after Emerson leaves the hospital, she will have to come back weekly for regular chemotherapy treatments as well as constant medication being given to her at home. She'll be more susceptible to infection and illness and everyone will have a part in helping her to stay healthy. We are told that her treatments will last up to 3 years or more depending on how her body reacts to the chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time our family has had a life altering event. My son Gavin, as well as my wife, Melinda, are both battling Becker Muscular Dystrophy. I sometimes question why God would place such burdens upon us, but I realize that he will only give us as much as we can handle, and that we will be stronger for it.
I struggled with doing this Go Fund Me page as I truly hate to ask for help, but deep down, I know that we cannot do this alone. We have received great support and prayers from our family and friends, but this horrible disease is something that we cannot afford to fight. With just my income and my wife's disability, I struggle with even imagining how we will afford to pay for her care much less all the other expenses. I truly want to make sure that Emerson receives the best care to eliminate and make sure that the Leukemia does not return. This will result in ongoing medical bills, medicine, travel expenses, time off work, and any other expenses that may be needed to keep Emerson healthy.
We have been blessed with a great team of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, who have shown great compassion and care to a stranger and her family. I wish to thank them, and all our family and friends for the support, prayers, and guidance they have provided. I also wish to thank anyone who keeps our beautiful daughter Emerson in their prayers.
Although the future is unknown to us, we know that God is watching over our little angel and with prayer and the support of family and friends, we know she will beat this horrible disease.
The doctor explained that based on the blood test results, our beautiful 6 year old daughter had Leukemia and she would need to be immediately transported to the closest Children's Hospital for specialized care. We were stunned and had no idea what to think or even say......our daughter has Cancer.
On Monday, the Pediatric Oncologist came to visit us and explained that Emerson had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and that they would need to do port surgery, take a bone marrow biopsy, and do a spinal tap to start her treatment. Shortly after the surgery, the nurses began Emerson's first chemotherapy treatment. It was scary but she was a tough little trooper and got thru the treatment.
The following day, we were elated to find that the Leukemia was not found in her spinal fluid, which was a great sign. The news was great, but she still has a long road ahead of her, as the doctors have explained to us that she will spend at least 6 or more weeks in the hospital with regular chemotherapy treatments, further bone marrow biopsies, and medical treatments. Eventually she will be able to come home but her life and that of our family will certainly not be normal. Depending on her health, she will miss school, not be able to go out in public, and not be able to play with her friends. We struggle with how we are going to tell her that her life won't be the same.....how do you tell that to a 6 year old child?
Even after Emerson leaves the hospital, she will have to come back weekly for regular chemotherapy treatments as well as constant medication being given to her at home. She'll be more susceptible to infection and illness and everyone will have a part in helping her to stay healthy. We are told that her treatments will last up to 3 years or more depending on how her body reacts to the chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time our family has had a life altering event. My son Gavin, as well as my wife, Melinda, are both battling Becker Muscular Dystrophy. I sometimes question why God would place such burdens upon us, but I realize that he will only give us as much as we can handle, and that we will be stronger for it.
I struggled with doing this Go Fund Me page as I truly hate to ask for help, but deep down, I know that we cannot do this alone. We have received great support and prayers from our family and friends, but this horrible disease is something that we cannot afford to fight. With just my income and my wife's disability, I struggle with even imagining how we will afford to pay for her care much less all the other expenses. I truly want to make sure that Emerson receives the best care to eliminate and make sure that the Leukemia does not return. This will result in ongoing medical bills, medicine, travel expenses, time off work, and any other expenses that may be needed to keep Emerson healthy.
We have been blessed with a great team of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, who have shown great compassion and care to a stranger and her family. I wish to thank them, and all our family and friends for the support, prayers, and guidance they have provided. I also wish to thank anyone who keeps our beautiful daughter Emerson in their prayers.
Although the future is unknown to us, we know that God is watching over our little angel and with prayer and the support of family and friends, we know she will beat this horrible disease.
Organizer
Mark Newhouse
Organizer
Bloomington, IL
