SEPTEMBER 2009

Little Leah

Leah Alhadeff is a precious two year old little girl. She has a gripping smile that  forces you to smile back. When she cries, you feel tears come to your own eyes and a tug pull on your heart. Unfortunately, Leah has shed more than her share of tears in her two short years of life.  That is because Leah has experienced more than her share of pain for such a small child.  Like many little girls, Leah loves swimming, gymnastics, princesses and playing with her baby dolls. Sadly, unlike other little girls her age, Leah is also battling cancer.

Leah was your typical active toddler who enjoyed attending preschool and playing with her two siblings, Jacob, 8 and Kayla, 6. But all that changed on the morning of October 8, 2009 when Leah's mom noticed that Leah was walking with a very slight limp.  She called the doctor for an appointment assuming there may be an undetected ankle injury that occurred while Leah was at pre-school. 

At the pediatricians office, x-rays were taken and blood was drawn.  After  running the blood tests three different times, Leah's pediatrician knew that either his machines were broken or something was very wrong. He instructed her to take Leah to the Emergency Room at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital for further testing.

Assuming there must be a virus, Leah's mom headed over to the hosptial.  Once there, more blood was drawn and again x-rays were taken.  Still without answers, Leah was admitted to the hospital for further testing. In the morning Leah's bone marrow and spinal fluids were tested and within hours the family was notified that Leah had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). 

Her family was completely stunned that what started as a slight limp resulted in a hospital admission and being told their precious two year old little girl had cancer.  A two year chemotherapy treatment plan began immediately. Leah's parents, Tony and Marisel were informed that the first six to seven months would be very intense. Leah would be at high risk for infection and was immediately pulled out of preschool.  Marisel, who had just opened her own law practice three weeks earlier, had to close the practice immediately to provide full time care for Leah, while Tony continued to work to maintain their family.  Her siblings, Jacob and Kayla, still too young to fully understand, also had to adjust to the many changes having a sibling with cancer brings. 

In the frist six months, Leah underwent port surgery, multiple lumbar punctures, hundreds of needle pricks, bone marrow aspirates, blood transfusions, hair loss, chemotherapy, various side effects, infections, and mood swings.  Although lots of tears were shed, Leah did her best to keep her smile through it all. 

Leah is now approaching the one year mark of her diagnosis.  She is four months into the maintenance phase of her treatment. Although her hair is coming back and her smile comes more often than tears, she still has a long battle ahead of her. 

For the month of September we ask that you would lift little Leah and her family in prayer.  Her blood counts (CBC's)  are continuously out of range and her doctors are working to find a balance for the medications she will be receiving throughout this phase of her treatment. Adjustments are continually being made to accomadate but each adjustment requires more pokes and pain for little Leah. 

 Thank you for allowing us to share Leah's story with you!  If you would like to send a note, card or letter to little Leah, her siblings or her family, please forward it by mail or e-mail to Children Battling Cancer and we will deliver to Leah's family.

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