Isabelle is self-assured at a personal level, a bit more reserved outside of her contexts. She never turns down an opportunity to perform. She loves children, especially her nieces and nephews, and has a love of cooking and baking. Isabelle is neat, organized and efficient, at the same time very dramatic, and very dedicated to her music (harp, voice). Her family knows well her sharp, dry sense of humor in the midst of her lavish displays of affection. She loves being a girl and all that entails–jewelry, make-up, pretty clothes, unicorns, and lots of pink. Isabelle loves animals, and it was her special delight, in light of her difficult year, to choose her own special kitty, an exotic short-hair whom she named Nanette.
In January of last year, Isabelle was developing sores under her arm and running a low-grade temperature when we left for her first college audition and a vocal competition. She did not improve and when we arrived home, her doctors suggested she be taken to the ER where her lab work revealed a critically low white blood count. A bone marrow biopsy was recommended, which revealed Acute Myeloid Leukemia or AML.
Isabelle was treated with 4 rounds of chemotherapy and was mostly in the hospital from Jan-June 1, 2018. She is now being followed monthly by her oncologist. We are so happy to have our daughter doing so well, and are enjoying life one day at a time. There are on-going concerns and related financial strains; however, we are so blessed and thankful that we have come so far. Isabelle is in remission and has returned to an active lifestyle with music and on-line college classes.
Cancer drastically changed our life during Isabelle’s treatment as I remained away from home in the hospital with my daughter, while my son and husband managed home, work and school as best as they were able. The fears and unknown affected every member of our family, though we had wonderful support from family, our church, and friends during the critical times. Isabelle was very strong throughout her treatment. She kept her harp in the hospital room and when able played for staff and other patients. Our family fell behind with plans, finances, and home maintenance across 2018, but are reestablishing home life, church, and musical activities much as before interspersed with doctor appointments. Cancer is never far from our thoughts as a reality, but it is weighed in the balance of God’s good providence to us.
Isabelle has not abandoned her dreams of majoring in performance and is looking forward to being on the college campus in February if she continues to stay healthy. She enjoyed jumping right into preparations for the musical Suessical after her hospitalization and is excited to be singing the role of Barbarina in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro in January.
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