Fighting cancer is a deeply physical and emotionalbattle. Supporting the fight can take all you have and more.But you can help by becoming part of the Team. Become a Warrior and wear your Team Emma T-Shirt to show your support. Help bring awareness toBrain Cancer.
Emma is a brave Fighter! For over five years she has been Battling
Brain Cancer. At the age of 12 she was diagnosed with a Malignant Glioblastoma
brain tumor that was immediately resected. Her brain surgeon recommended her
for treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. She had
regrowth and a second resection a year ago.
In March of this year, 2014, we were again informed that
there was regrowth. This time however, surgical removal could not be safely
accomplished. We were devastated to again hear bad news. She was eligible for
another round of radiation therapy that was completed in May.
While radiation did reduce the primary tumor, there continues
to be growth in other areas of the brain.
It is with heavy hearts that we find ourselves waiting until
Emma’s 18th birthday in December to be eligible for adult treatment
options. Emma has Cushings Syndrome, headaches and pressure, and occasional
motor loss in her left side from the growing tumor and other challenges related
to this terrible disease.
Through it all she has remained strong, Hopeful, and
generally upbeat. She loves her family and friends and tries to lead as normal
a life as her limitations will allow.
This is her senior year of high school and although she is
homebound she is still taking a full load that includes three Advanced Diploma
classes. She loves the challenge of her school work and is a talented artist
when she has the strength to create new works.
To ether, with our Amazing support system of family,
friends, and Team Emma Warriors we are able to continue the Fight. Some days
are good days, and on other days we are satisfied to place one foot in front of
the other until we finally end the day. But we are never alone!
We are reminded of many others fighting this same dreadful
disease and know that our hearts are with them also.
Hope brings light into the darkest room, and we know we
could never make it through without the Love & Support of so many Wonderful
people! You! Our Heroes! Team Emma!
Supporters
Our ultimate purpose in life is to LOVE one another! For without love everything else becomes worthless!
Love you!!!
Emma was on my very first yearbook staff and I enjoyed having her in there every day. Her sweet smile and quirky sense of humor made us all laugh. She was a fighter who had good and bad days but always managed to stay positive.
I have loved, do love, and always will love you Emma! You will be so missed.