Aubrey started with leg pain on and off for over a month and then eventually developed unexplained fevers. Doctors said maybe strep, maybe an ear infection, but despite two antibiotics over 3 weeks the fevers kept coming back. I knew something was off so her pediatrician ran labs. She had low platelets and the pathologist who reviewed her blood said they noticed immature b-cells indicative of leukemia.
She’s had two port surgeries because, in the first one, she struggled to heal and got infected. She’s had so many lumbar punctures that I’ve lost exact count and two bone marrow aspirations. She’s received IV infusions of chemo, oral chemo, and subQ injections of chemo. She’s had lots of X-rays, CT scans, echocardiograms. She just finished her 4th phase of treatment. She has one more left before she begins a year and a half of maintenance.
One major struggle we’ve had because of treatment is finding childcare for my younger son. We can’t afford a full-time nanny and it’s been hard to find someone for just 1-2 days a week or at the last minute.
I left my job to take care of her. We sold our house to pay off all our debt to be able to make sure we could afford her treatment and not go bankrupt. We had to downsize dramatically to a 2-bedroom rental. But thankfully it’s on my family’s property which has been helpful for support. On the days I didn’t work I used to watch my niece and nephew so my kids no longer see their cousins throughout the week.
Aubrey is spunky and strong-willed but that’s what makes her a fighter!
Hope session by Sabrina Jill Photography | Instagram
Location by The Daylight Room