In January 2009, Leah was diagnosed with Stage IV Wilms Disease (also known as a Wilms Tumor). She had a large tumor on her left side that was attached to her kidney. It was crowding her intestines and other internal organs. Leah had surgery at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite on Wednesday, January 28th to biopsy the tumor and to insert a port into her chest for the chemotherapy she would receive at the Aflac Cancer Center.

Because the tumor was attached to her kidney, it had grown a 'finger' into one of her blood vessels and was working its way into her liver AND it had metastasized to her lungs. She started chemo Monday, February 2 and continued for 8 weeks, in efforts to reduce the tumor to an operable size. The prayers have been (other than the obvious for side effects, strength, endurance, parents' comfort, etc.) for the chemo to KNOCK OUT the lung tumors and shrink the rest of the large tumor so that it could be removed in its entirety along with the left kidney. This kind of tumor was friable, so we needed it to STAY INTACT - not break off or spread.

The 8 weeks of chemo did shrink the tumor, caused the lungs spots to disappear, and pulled the "finger" back out of the area it had grown. On April 1, 2009, Leah's left kidney and tumor were successfully removed along with most of the "finger". However, the tumor showed signs of dysplasia meaning that a more rigorous course of chemo had to be planned. April 13 began eight days of radiation on the area where the tumor was and on the lungs. It is dangerous to have lung radiation, so that has been a big concern. Leah is facing many more weeks of chemotherapy which will continue until October.

To date, Leah has had 2 blood transfusions and was inpatient at the Aflac Cancer Center at Scottish Rite on 3 occasions. Her biggest challenge is keeping the blood counts high enough to continue chemo as scheduled and battling all the side effects that come along with it.

Leah is a very bright, active 3-year-old. She loves everything princess. On her weekly visits to the Aflac Caner Center clinic, she greets her doctors and nurses by their names and gives a run-down of her progress to each one. While at the clinic, she enjoys role playing with Karen and using the dolls to prepare their ports for treatment. Leah has also been known to diagnose several nurses and doctors while she is at the clinic.

This child has the brightest spirit! She is smart, funny, loving, grateful and a lover of people. All who come in contact with her affectionately call her Princess Leah—because she is quite the princess, but without being a diva. You will adore her the minute you meet her.