Little_Warrior_Anniversary_Book

Little Warrior | 30
31 | Little Warrior
ELLIE
Age 3 | Neuroblastoma
Little Warrior Ellie was diagnosed at 10 months old, with what was thought to be
stage 2 Neuroblastoma. It came as a complete shock, because she was so healthy
and happy! After Ellie’s tumor was removed at 10 months of age, Ellie had scans
periodically over the next 3 years. Ellie’s parents were reassured that she had a 95%
chance of never needing further treatment.
Shortly before Ellie’s 4th birthday an abnormality was discovered during her routine
scans again, and again, they we were reassured that it wasn’t cancer. But Ellie’s
mom followed her instincts as a mother, and sure enough, it was Neuroblastoma.
They also made the startling discovery that Ellie had stage IV cancer as an infant,
upon further review, and had just gone 3 years with no treatment while it was left
to metastasize. Because Ellie was now 4 and not 10 months old, Ellie was suddenly
ooking at a 50% chance of survival and some of the most aggressive treatment
there is for pediatric cancer.
In June of 2015, Ellie had just turned 4 and began treatment for Neuroblastoma.
To date, she has completed 8 cycles of chemotherapy, 8 weeks of proton radiation,
6 cycles of antibody therapy, and 5 of 7 vaccine shots as part of a clinical trial.
And somehow, has made 17 trips to New York for treatment within the past year!
And the best part of all of this is that she is thriving. You would never know the
extensive amount of therapy she’s had.
“We always remain cautiously optimistic, knowing the relapse rate hovers at 50%.
But we do our very best to live each day to the fullest and consider ourselves very
fortunate that we still have a battle to fight. Ellie has given us a new purpose/
direction in life. There are very few positive things that come from being told
your child has cancer, and having to come to terms with the very real possibility
of planning their funeral. Your mind goes to some very dark, scary places. But if
there’s one thing I’m grateful for, it’s being able to fully appreciate and love the
smallest of things with our children,” shares Ellie’s mom.
Follow Ellie’s journey on Facebook at facebook.com/elliesplace