It all started the week of Thanksgiving in 2021. My daughter Maci Mae, who was 16-months old at the time, was just getting over RSV. She began having belly issues and a high fever, again - so we were sent to get checked out at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. After many tests, we were told that she had an enlarged spleen and that she was anemic to the point that it was unsafe to go home. After what felt like endless tests, chats with doctors and days, we were met with our biggest fear - she had cancer. Maci was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).

Even being the spunky, happy, and energetic kiddo that she is - the first month was very hard for Maci Mae and our family. Maci has a brother, Ryder who is 5 years old. The hospital stays were rough and lasted for extended periods of time. During her stays she was diagnosed with Covid-19, multiple stomach bugs and illnesses. She was on multiple medications and had such leg pain that she was unable to walk. When Christmas came, we were home for the week and even though she struggled, we all enjoyed being together for a short period of time before more illnesses left us hospital-ridden again. She began losing her hair and around June 2022, it was all gone - but she was still such a little thing that she didn’t even care!

After the first phase, consolidation, things started looking up. Maci began walking again rather quickly and started talking up a storm. The hospital stays lessened, she got her energy back, enjoyed going to the Lehigh Valley Hospital Children’s Cancer and Multipurpose Infusion Center, and her hair is growing back nicely. She is a fighter, warrior, and a spit fire. Maci Mae is such a happy girl that 99% of the time you wouldn’t be able to tell that she is sick. She is such a loving, independent, spunky, and sassy little lady who is now 2 years old and entered long term maintenance in August! We are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel for our little girl, and we thank the doctors, physician assistants, nurses, child life specialists and other staff at the Cancer center, as well as PCFLV, for all that they have done and continue to do for our little girl.

Written by Maci’s mom, Sara

Please consider helping children with cancer and others in our community by scheduling a blood donation at Miller-Keystone Blood Center: https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/zip