Averi is a typical girl! She loves princesses, makeup, horses, swimming, movies, music, & shopping. She seems to make herself laugh most because she thinks she is hilarious! She also laughs at her baby sister a lot.
Averi was diagnosed at 4 years old on August 3, 2016 with ALL. We brought her into the ER because she started having leg pain and fever. Within 12 hours, she was unable to stand on her own. Her iron was low for a few months prior to being diagnosed.
Averi has been doing chemo for just over two years. A pre-existing condition (two thoracic arachnoid cysts) has made it where lumbar punctures aren’t ideal for her. So a month after being diagnosed, she had a second port placed. It’s called an Ommaya reservoir and is placed in her brain. Her oncologist removes CSF from her Ommaya and then, delivers intrathecal chemo. She had a tough time after brain surgery and lost a lot of motor function. She started PT and OT to help regain muscle and improve function. She also has annual MRIs to watch the cysts in her spine. Averi also had Kawasaki Disease as a toddler which puts her at a higher risk for cardiac issues later in life.
Mom had to quit her full time position to care for Averi and tend to all her needs. So, financially, things are tight. Averi’s diagnosis has also caused Averi and her mom to both have anxiety.
We used to be a very on the go family. Now, we are home bodies. Anxiety and depression now dwell within our family. But our family has a greater appreciation for life now.
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