Winter 2008 - Arkansas Children's Hospital

PATIENTSJillian ChaneyChooses to Give to Othersin the Midst of Personal Tragedy■ Kila OwensJillian wants to take a dance class. Or an art class. Or play soccerwith kids her age. But she can’t because she might get sick.Jillian Faith Chaney, a 5-year-old from Mena, was diagnosed atthe age of 3 with aplastic anemia, a condition where bone marrowdoes not produce sufficient new cells to replenish blood cells. Aspart of her immune suppression treatment, she cannot be aroundher peers because for her, an infection, bacteria or even the commoncold could be deadly.In January 2006, 3-year-old Jillian fell and bumped her nose. Herparents, Sheli and Fred, initially thought her nose was broken.When they took her to the local hospital, doctors were more concernedthat the bleeding could not be controlled.Jillian was flown immediately to Little Rock on Angel One, theACH helicopter. Once at ACH, she underwent several tests formany blood-related diseases, including leukemia. As doctors narrowedthe results down, Sheli grew more concerned.After a month of outpatient tests, a clear diagnosis was finallymade – Jillian had aplastic anemia. Jillian and her family wereshocked and somewhat relieved at the diagnosis.“We were so incredibly relieved that her diagnosis was notleukemia,” Sheli says. “When we realized what aplastic anemia was,however, we were heartbroken. We realized, though, that it couldbe much worse.”Doctors began treatment immediately, which includedchemotherapy and immune suppression. Jillian’s diagnosis and subsequenttreatment impacted her entire family.“It has changed our life in many ways,” Sheli says. “First, in howwe go about our daily life. Every cough or sniffle causes us to fearfor her safety. It has also changed our attitude toward life. We donot take the little things for granted – running to the store formilk, playing catch, going to school. Every little thing is a celebration.”Her treatment continued through January 2007, when she wentinto remission. Jillian, Sheli, Fred and older brother David rejoiced.Finally, Jillian would get to do the things she always wanted to do.Her parents enrolled her immediately in dance class and happilycelebrated the end of Jillian’s sickness. In August, Jillian was readyto enter kindergarten at the local public school, when she and Shelimade a trip to ACH for a routine check-up.Jillian, who has been a patient at ACH since 2006,has remained positive and upbeat through tworounds of treatment for aplastic anemia.They received some very disappointing news.Jillian’s symptoms were back and she would need anotherround of treatment. She had a high-grade fever that lastedfive days. Her parents were worried, frightened and dealingwith a disappointed little girl.“We were absolutely devastated when we found out shehad relapsed,” Sheli says. “We were so sure she was going tobe okay after she went into remission. I just hurt for her somuch, knowing that she would miss out on so much. She hadbeen through enough.”After the initial disappointment, Jillian has remained strongand upbeat. She is still undergoing treatment at ACH twice aweek and is being home schooled by her mother, who isamazed that her little girl is able to stay so positive.“Jillian Faith is an amazing little girl, and she inspires us tobe better than what we are,” Sheli says. “Through all that shehas been through, she still thinks of others and always wantsto give.”Jillian and her mother recently presented ArkansasChildren’s Hospital with $731 to benefit patients and familieswho visit the cancer clinic at ACH.Jillian and David collected change from family, friends andothers in her community to help the families of other childrenwho visit the clinic. The money will go to a fund thathelps families pay for food, gas and other expenses.John Bel, president of the ACH Foundation, was delightedat the donation. “What a heartfelt gift,” he says. “We can alllearn a lesson from this 5-year-old girl who, in the midst of herown tragedy, continues to think of others.”5