Tiny But Mighty: Elaina’s Story
Elaina was diagnosed at birth with Down Syndrome and spent the first 3 weeks of her life in the NICU. Once she was discharged to go home, her mommy, dada, and two big brothers began learning as a family just how precious she was and how blessed they were to have her as a part of their lives. During the first two years of her life, Elaina was a very sassy and dramatic baby. She loved playing with bubbles, dancing, singing, and going down slides. Early on, she demonstrated an exceptional ability to memorize song lyrics and dance choreography. She also received occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy 3 days a week and loved all of her therapists. Life was great and full of joy.
Around age 2, she was constantly fatigued and running a low-grade fever that wouldn’t go away. Her mommy took her to the pediatrician for what was suspected to be an ear infection. She tested negative for all “normal” viruses and conditions so additional testing was needed. It was at this time that the doctor revealed to mom in person and dad (over the phone) that Elaina had cancer…specifically Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The devastation and fear set in immediately and mom and dad had to make arrangements to get her to the cancer unit at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital that day, being forced to leave their two older kids with their mamaw and papaw.
Elaina would spend the next 6 months in the hospital, undergoing 4 rounds of intensive, high dosage chemotherapy. Because she did not go into remission after the first round of chemo, the family was faced with a very difficult decision, choosing between the traditional route of chemo or placing Elaina on a clinical study. After much prayer and consultation, the clinical study was chosen.
Elaina fought hard through each round of chemo, as her parents watched the life drain from her, praying that she would recover each time, and she did. It was obvious that God was watching over Elaina the entire time, even as she contracted a rare and deadly infection while her immune system was non-existent. Elaina was discharged from the hospital on Memorial Day of 2022. She is still currently in remission and is an oncology patient at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Life is slowly getting back to normal, but each time Elaina goes to her checkups and has blood work done, it is very stressful waiting to hear from the oncologist if the cancer has returned or not. Today, she is in an integrated pre-K program, still loves bubbles, slides, dancing, and singing, and recently developed a passion for brushing her teeth.