I'm Riding For

Hadley

Hadley had the flu and a constant fever. After several days fighting her fevers and not getting better we were sent to Brenner’s Children’s Hospital emergency department thinking that she was dehydrated and needed fluids. After several blood draws, the emergency doctor told us that the results of the blood tests had indicators for leukemia and she would need further testing to confirm what was going on. She was admitted to Brenner’s that evening. Two days later, Hadley had her first blood transfusion and a bone marrow biopsy. The bone marrow biopsy results confirmed that Hadley has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (“ALL”). We met with the oncology team and have a plan to attack Hadley’s cancer. The day following her results, she had a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to make sure there were no malignant cells found in her spine (none were found), a port-a-cath implanted in her chest (to help lessen blood draws and make it easier for her to receive treatment) and received her first two doses of chemotherapy. After six days in Brenner Children’s Hospital, she was able to be discharged and come home and is so happy to be back with her brothers! She is receiving chemotherapy treatments at home through oral medications along with twice a week visits at the Brenner’s outpatient hematology/oncology clinic at the hospital. The oncology team has told us to expect treatments to last 2 to 3 years. Hadley’s oncology team has a plan in place and has said that her leukemia is treatable and it is curable. Each phase will bring new adjustments but we feel confident in her team and are thankful to live in a community with access to this level of care.