We never saw it coming.

 “Mallory has leukemia.”  Words which still scream at us during the dark times. In that darkened hospital room just days after Thanksgiving 2004, our lives were changed forever.  It was as if a movie had ended and the screen had gone black.  Cancer?  No!  Please, God, No!  Unthinkable.  Unbearable.  Your heart stops, you struggle to breathe.  Somewhere deep in your soul you know that life will never be the same. Tears will not stop; pain will not go away; words of comfort will not come. Cancer does that. It defines your life. (NOTE: Please follow this link to the What is A.L.L. page for more information).

Only two days before, her doctor had asked for a couple of more days to diagnose whatever was making our 8-year-old child so ill.  “But you’ve had  6 months to do this!  In that time you have treated her for viruses, flu, ulcers, even Kawasaki disease.  Last week you accused her of just being lazy; you told her to stop whining and get into a sports program!”

“Just a couple more days—after all, we have ruled out all the ‘bad’ diseases,” he said.  But he was wrong.  Within hours of her diagnosis with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) we were on our way to Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville KY, which has now become a second home to us.  We have helplessly watched our little Mallory suffer the pain of this disease, the side effects of the chemotherapy, and the fear, which now encompasses her life. She can no longer be protected from the realities of leukemia and its 2 1/2 year treatment. She constantly has amazed us.  We always knew she was special, but never knew the depth of her resiliency.

We somehow have begun to adjust. Life is celebrated on the pain-free and chemo-free days. Mallory’s smile is more welcome than a hot fudge sundae, her hugs warm you better than a warm cup of tea on a snowy day, and the sound of her laughter is now our favorite song. We are fighting back. We hate this insidious disease that has invaded her little body, but we know it can be defeated. Each treatment is another attack on the monster cancer cells and one step closer to being completely free of them. 

We have discovered other important tools for this war-- faith, hope, hugs, family, friends, and love.  We have seen the face of God in all those people who have rallied around Mallory—doctors, nurses, family members, friends, and other good Samaritans who have provided the much-needed comfort and support, which we so desperately need. 

No. Life will never be the same again. Yes. Our reality has changed. But we know we will win this battle. We forever will be grateful to each and every one of you who has joined in the fight.   Each donation takes us one step further in making Mallory well again.  Will you join in our fight?

Many thanks, Dean and Jeff Wilson

Grandparents of Mallory Wheeler

This story is continued HERE.

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