Everlee is very outgoing. She loves to dance, sing, play music, do karate but her absolute love in life, is horse back riding and horses. She rides every Saturday and it has become a part of her healing. She will drag herself to the barn every week just because it makes her feel so good. She talks to the horses, snuggles them, rides, grooms, whispers her secrets, and loves the calm they bring to her. It is breathe taking to watch.
We had taken Everlee to urgent care on a Sunday because we thought she had pneumonia. The doctor agreed and gave her antibiotics. After 3 days of antibiotics she was getting worse. Her skin turned a pale grey color, her finger nail beds turned blue, and she had huge black circles under her eyes. We took her to the ER at our local hospital and after a simple blood test, we were given the news of Leukemia.
Our daughter is traumatized after two years of chemotherapy. She has an intense fear of medical procedures. Everything that needs to happen to her needs to be explained in great detail so she can prepare herself. She has had one surgery, two bone marrow biopsies, hundreds of dose of chemo, 20+ lumbar punctures, numerous daily oral medications and has been hospitalized twice due to infections. Our family struggles are getting better. I was off work for 20 months but we managed to keep our home and try to keep our lives as normal as possible for the sake of our family.
Childhood cancer has changed us in the most profound way possible. It was devastating and although I wish it was just a bad nightmare, after two years of going through treatment and the end is near, I can look back and see how thankful I am for this experience. It’s brought all of my friends and family together, it has taught me patience, strength, and courage. I feel we have all become better people and appreciate every moment we have with each other.
Everlee has had many struggles along this journey, but she never stops smiling. Even through her tears, she finds a way to laugh. She is an old soul, and sometimes I go to her for comfort and reassurance that we will get through this.
Hope session by Freckle Face Photography | Facebook | Instagram