Elizabeth J. - Quilt Finished in 2007

Born: June 30, 2003

Illness: Low grade astrocytoma

Elizabeth J.'s Story

Written by Elizabeth's mom Jill in 2007

Elizabeth Grace was born on a stormy evening on the last day in June of 2003 in Dothan, Alabama.  Eliza is the only one of my three children that was not induced by medicine and help from the doctor.  I guess from day one she has always been an independant child and very strong willed.  She wants to do everything for herself without any help.  I marvel at the strength Eliza has as many people who know her do.  Eliza is the last addition to our family but don't be fooled she thinks she is in charge.

  In February of 2007 Eliza spent a few days at her grandmother and Paw Paw's house.  My dad noticed that Eliza was stumbling and having difficulty keeping her balance.  I remember when she came home and dad told me about her I was sitting at the kitchen table and I just began to cry, I knew something was wrong.  I looked back over the last several months; she lost her appetite, she was often sleepy, and she complained of having headaches.  I was so scared of what I knew was coming.

The following Monday we went to the doctor's office and he admitted her to the hospital for an MRI.  The Dr. said Eliza had a brain tumor in her cerrebellum and had a lot of fluid in her brain.  She would need surgery immediately followed by chemo and radiation.  We flew to Memphis for surgery at LeBonheur Children's Hospital.  Dr. Boop, our surgeon, resected all of Eliza's tumor.  Eliza was found to have a low grade astrocytoma, we were told by the surgeon and doctor's in Mobile, Eliza had medulloblastoma  prior to surgury which is high grade malignant tumor.  We never imagined Eliza didn't have this high grade tumor, so when Dr. Boop told us it was low grade, our entire family lept for joy all at the same time.  It was the best day ever, prior to having the worst day ever as my sister Tara expresses it.

   In May, we went to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital for our first follow up MRI.  They found that Eliza's tumor was growing back.  We decided to watch and wait.  Over time Eliza's tumor has continued to grow back very slowly.  The tumor began to grow into her brainstem so we all felt that we had reached the point where something must be done.  We decided chemo was the best option.  So far chemo has been crazy.  We just got of the hospital after a week long stay because Eliza had severe abdominal pain from the vincristine.  We are waiting for Eliza's ANC to come up so that we can continue with chemo.  Our hope is that the tumor will shrink and stop growing so that we can buy some time until Eliza is older to receive radiation or to have another brain surgery.  God has been so gracious to us, we only make it every day because He lavishes us in grace and mercy.