Emalee's Journey

"Emalee was a perfectly happy, healthy, fun-loving 2-year-old little girl until one day she developed two large “bumps” above her eyes that swelled out like golf balls. They literally appeared overnight! We had no idea what they were from so we took her to the E.R.

After hours of waiting and not knowing what was wrong, a CT scan showed they were some type of tumors. She was immediately taken to another hospital for further testing.  After many hours and tests later, we were told that Emalee had cancer.  Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma.  It apparently started as a large tumor in her abdomen and had already spread to her knee, clavicle, bone marrow and head.

Looking back now there was so many little signs that were missed! She had terrible constipation, crying when she would pee, she was constantly red in the face and sweated terribly through the night ,and she was also not a good eater at all although she had a protruding belly on her! She also began to grow very frustrated and irritable. She would not leave my side.  She would scream and cry all the time! When I look back, I feel these were signs that something was wrong, but no one had never picked up on them! I had taken her to the doctor many times, telling him these different things but they said some kids sweat a lot and she’s constipated.  They said we had a happy healthy baby.

Since that terrible day when we were told Emalee had cancer, which has  been devastating on our entire family, she has undergone many rounds of chemotherapy, surgery and a stem cell transplant.  After her transplant, she came home seemingly well and then woke up one morning unable to walk. 

This has been devastating. Emalee had remained very upbeat and active until that point, even through all of the hard rounds of chemo!  We have been to a neurologist many times and they say she has some type of acute cerebral ataxia, possibly a side affect from the chemotherapy, but we are waiting for more answers.  She is currently into the radiation therapy phase of her treatment, and will need to have many months of antibody treatment as well as acutance therapy. 

Emalee truly is a fighter and has been through way more than any 3 year old little girl should ever have to go through.  We are hoping and praying everyday that when the treatments are done she will be a true miracle and be cured!

            When Emalee is not in the hospital she wants to be like any other 3-year-old girl…..playing with her toys and having fun!  She loves to play with her pretend kitchen and cook food for her mommy or play outside on her swing set with her daddy!  She loves to read books, play dress-up, play with her littlest pet shop toys, and watch DVD’s.  She loves Max and Ruby, Sponge Bob and the Disney Princesses too!

Emalee also has a big sister Kaylee that she adores and loves to spend time with!  Even though they are 11 years apart, they like to sing and dance together to the Jonas Brothers and watch movies together too!  Kaylee has had to take a back seat in this picture for a while and it has been really hard on her as well, but she is a great big sister and is always there for Emalee when she needs her!

            It is going to be a very long road for Emalee, but with her determination and all of the prayers, love and support from her family and friends we know she will make it through this!"

As you can see from this mother's story, cancer is devastating.  Please visit Emalee's page and leave her a message at www.helpsupportemalee.com   and don't forget to pray for Emalee and all children battling cancer.