Michaela Ann Mease
Michaela Ann Mease
Neuroblastoma Stage 4~deceased
http://www.caringbridge.org/pa/michaelaann
Our Story
Michaela Ann was born on December 28, 1995. She was a beautiful, smart, loving child! Her twin brothers followed in 1999. They were three months premature and fought for their lives. They were beginning to remain healthy and our live was going along as it should When one day, a few weeks before Christmas and Michaela's birthday, I noticed a discoloration above her eyes. It was a Saturday, but fortunatley our pediatrician told us to come in. It turned out that the eye's weren't as much an issue as Michaela's pallor. She ordered bloodwork and received the results while we waited. It looked suspicious, so she contacted a pediatric oncologist. It was that doctor that finally diagnosed Michaela with Neuroblastoma Stage 4. He said it was a very difficult disease to cure and if we were very lucky, we had a 40% chance of her survival. He was never, ever optimistic. He knew how generous he was being with those odds. My daughter did every treatment from chemo, to radiation, to a stemcell transplant. She was without disease for 2 months before it raged back. It took her life eighteen months after original diagnosis, eight months after relapsing. My daughter fought with all her heart and soul and in the end she died a painful, ugly death. She never wanted to stop fighting, but there was NOTHING MORE THAT THEY COULD DO.
Imagine. All the sciences have advanced....
Neuroblastoma is a weapon of mass destruction too. The public doesn't hear about it though. I have personally known ten children that have died from this disease since we began our battle.
PLEASE, PLEASE HELP US HELP THE NEXT FAMILY THAT GETS DIAGNOSED WITH THIS MONSTER!
Thank you
Although our daughter didn't live through the battle of Neuroblastoma, I have a deep belief that with public awareness and fundraising, we can improve the lives of many children and their families. Currently, it is a very lucky child that survives the rigors of therapy and the odds for relapse are great. With your help, this can be changed. It must be changed. It is too late for our child. Our family must find our way without our beautiful angel, but you can and must help others! Please be generous and outspoken about this hideous disease. Challenge your family and friends to make a difference!