First comes the diagnosis.  The gut punch that changes your life FOREVER.

 

Then it’s the battle.  This is where warriors are made.  This is where you learn what you are made of.  

 

If you’re lucky enough to make it through the battle, you get to live in the aftermath.  To the rest of the world, they think the cancer is gone and you go back to normal life.  But cancer families know you don’t go back to normal life.  The fear, the trauma, the side effects are still there, and at this point, I’m not sure they will ever go away.  This is what links cancer families regardless of age, location, timing.

 

Emily was lucky enough to beat the cancer!  Now, a year and half later, she struggles with the side effects of the cancer and all the intense treatments she has endured.  This past year, she has had issues with her legs. 

 

It started with a call from school saying Emily was not able to stand or walk.  After multiple scans at the ER, nothing was found.  She was transferred to Good Sheppard in-patient rehab to get her walking again.  She spent about 4 weeks there learning to walk again.  During this time, she missed school and her brother leaving for the army.  She almost missed being a greeter at the PCFLV Gold Gala but worked very hard to get released from rehab so she could make it.  Two weeks later I got a call from the school that she couldn’t walk again.

 

Emily has been diagnosed with Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).  She has been using a walker to get around while we try to figure out how to get her legs working properly again.  It’s been frustrating, as I feel like we have no real answers or solutions at this time.

 

PCFLV continues to be supportive even outside of treatment because they know the struggles these kids and families have even after treatment.  They came to visit Emily at Good Sheppard and boost her spirits.  Most recently, there was a Dave and Busters night with teens.  I love these teen nights because they allow the kids to be independent and connect with other kids that get it.  Being a teenager is hard, but knowing you’re not alone makes a difference.

 

Written by Emily’s mom, Adele

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