In April of 2017, eleven-year-old Angel, had cold symptoms, tired easily,
unexplainable bruising, a nose bleed and on/off fevers. After a trip to the
doctor and blood work, Angel was diagnosed with T-Cell Leukemia on May
3rd. We were told Angel was at low risk for relapse and placed on the standard treatment plan.

After 30 days of treatment, her bone marrow biopsy results were not where they should have been therefore Angel’s risk was changed from low to high. The treatment was changed to a more aggressive plan for 2½ years.

Sadly, Angel was in the hospital more than at home for the next 9.5 months. She endured months of chemotherapy, which included multiple devastating side effects, excruciating pain, inability to walk for weeks, port placement, multiple blood & platelet transfusions, multiple lumbar punctures, bone marrow biopsies, lockjaw, neurological changes and so much more.

Even through this, Angel was so strong and fought with all she had. She lost months of school, which she loved so much. As time went on, Angel was deemed in remission during her treatment. We were given an end of treatment date of August 2019 truly believing she would be cured and starting 8th grade.

On December 5th, Angel turned 12. Her treatment was placed on a hold for a couple weeks due to blood counts not being where they should be. Just days before Christmas, she wasn’t feeling well. We took Angel to the ER on Christmas Day and she was admitted to ICU, the following day we were told that she had relapsed. We were devastated.

Our heart and soul decision was that a new battle plan was made with the hope of remission in order to receive a bone marrow transplant. Angel endured more than any human should endure; let alone a child for the next 50 days in the ICU. There was hope, little hope and then no hope…

Angel was such a vibrant, smart, beautiful and caring young lady, who lost her battle on February 13th, 2018 at the age of 12, forever a 6th grader.

Hope session by Missy Scharer Photography | Facebook | Instagram