ily was diagnosed with leukemia on January 31, 2023, after a long and emotional road to answers. She had been sick frequently and was experiencing back pain, which led to a traumatic ER visit where doctors found a compression fracture in her spine. Unfortunately, her pediatrician misjudged the situation and filed a CPS report, but the claims were quickly proven unfounded. Thankfully, Lily’s family sought care at a new hospital, where she was finally diagnosed and able to begin treatment.
Her journey included more than a dozen spinal taps, countless port accesses, IV chemotherapy, and blood transfusions. Lily missed the remainder of her first grade year and was unable to participate in contact sports or attend many birthday parties because of her mediport. Despite all of this, her joyful spirit stayed strong.
Throughout everything, her family did their best to provide a sense of normalcy for Lily and her older sister, all while balancing full-time jobs and the weight of Lily’s diagnosis. As her mom shared, “this is hard for all of us, but in different ways.” On April 11, Lily completed her treatment, and on May 9, she rang the bell to mark the end of this chapter.
Lily is tough and full of life. She’s silly, joyful, and the kind of kid who truly lives out loud. She loves her dogs, dancing, riding her bike, creating art, making bracelets, and spending time with her best friend Lucy. She’s currently learning the piano and never turns down a chance to laugh or be a little wild.
A few extra meaningful details to look for in her photos. The flowers in the gold planter are vinca, the plant that vincristine (one of Lily’s chemo drugs) is made from. Her gold bracelet includes a tiny bell, symbolizing the one she rang when she completed treatment. Both are small but powerful reminders of how far she’s come.
Lily was named after her mom’s favorite flower, and just like the bloom, she is bold, radiant, and impossible to ignore. Her bravery and resilience are a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, there is light, love, and strength growing all around us.
Hope session by Triple E Photography | Facebook