Team Alyssa Renee
by Tony Holmes
Alyssa Renee Holmes was born on December 27th, 2016. At birth she had 4 masses in her abdomen and smaller masses under her skin. Alyssa spent the first few weeks in the nicu. After countless labs, biopsies, multiple imaging’s and painful procedures, she was diagnosed with intermediate risk, stage 4 neuroblastoma.
On January 17th, at just 3 weeks old she began her four rounds of chemotherapy. She has needed blood transfusions, has been sick, lost weight, stopped eating but she always bounces back. Her tiny body has multiple scars from the painful procedures, biopsies and surgeries but after 4 rounds of chemo the biopsies of the remaining masses gave us hope and showed that Alyssa was winning and what neuroblastoma was left was maturing (becoming benign).
On June 26th we took Alyssa into the hospital to have her Hickman line taken out. We were excited to take her swimming, give her a real bath, go camping, take her to the beach and not hide her from the world anymore. While going under anesthesia Alyssa started to have a seizure. This prompted a Head CT and MRI that confirmed a fear that we had not yet had time to process the possibility of happening as we were just starting to reach the light at the end of our very dark, scary and sometimes lonely tunnel. She relapsed before even completing her first battle.
The MRI confirmed 4 aggressive new tumors in her brain. More imaging also revealed that the original tumor on her adrenal gland is active again, there is a spot on her spine and multiple spots on her liver. We are shattered at the battle Alyssa has ahead of her. Now they are doing many more tests and consulting with specialist around the country. They have discussed surgeries, travels and trials. We are preparing ourselves to travel for treatment.
As we wait for the answers as to what comes next we hold onto the love and support that is being given to us. Alyssa's strength and beauty is astonishing. Most of her first 6 months of life have been spent in the hospital, hooked up to wires, monitors and medications; tucked away from the world to protect her. Alyssa shows us her fight everyday. She is fighting for a life she has barely begun with smiles, kisses and an infectious personality that you can't help but fall in love with. We know that there is nothing our baby girl can't beat. With Alyssa's strength, the support and prayers of family, friends and people we have yet to meet, Alyssa will beat this. She has a long road ahead of her but our hope and support are unwavering. Every heartbreaking moment, every second of fear, every devastating blow is no match for the joy she creates in our lives. We are blessed.
photo courtesy of Team Alyssa Renee
photo courtesy of Team Alyssa Renee
Today, Alyssa has graduated to the survivorship program for having clear scans and no uptake for 3 yrs. She's doing normal kid stuff like school and play.
photo courtesy of Team Alyssa Renee
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