Wheeler finds plenty to smile about, despite cancer
By Wendy
Wary-Warrick Publishing Online-Newburgh editor
Mallory Wheeler,
pictured with her "Nana" (Dean Wilson), shows off her fun
personality with one of many scarves she now enjoys wearing. The
9-year-old leukemia patient said she got tired of wearing hats, and
now that her hair is beginning to grow back, scarves make a stylish
alternative. Photo courtesy of Wheeler family
She's been through so much, and she still has a long road to recovery
ahead of her. But, that doesn't stop the smiles for 9-year-old Mallory
Wheeler, who has unofficially been put in "maintenance" for the treatment
of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).
ALL is the most common type of
leukemia in children under the age of 15. Mallory was diagnosed with the
disease late last year, after several months of misdiagnosed illnesses and
many hospital visits.
Since her diagnosis, Mallory has undergone
weekly chemotherapy treatments and monthly bone marrow aspirations and
spinal taps, along with numerous other hospital stays related to her
illness. After a hospital stay over the Labor Day holiday, when Mallory's
blood cell counts were severely low, she was finally placed on a new
treatment schedule.
Now, the chemo treatments are monthly and the
spinal taps and bone marrow aspirations will take place every three
months. And, as long as her blood cell counts remain high for two months,
Mallory will officially be considered in "maintenance." She still faces
two more years of treatments, and if she makes it for five years without
any remissions, Mallory will be considered "cured."
And that's not all she has to smile about. If she's able to keep her
counts up through November, her mother, Robin, said Mallory may be able to
return to school before Christmas Break begins. Returning to school has
been something Mallory's hoped for ever since her diagnosis and the
heart-breaking news that she wouldn't be able to finish out the school
year.
Although the newly-promoted third grader hasn't missed out on
classroom work (she's been participating in the homebound schooling
program through her school, Sharon Elementary), Mallory said she has
missed out on two very important things: being around all of her friends
and Jazzercise.
Mallory explained that although she's talked to
some of her friends, she's still not been healthy enough to have a lot of
friends over to visit and play. And she's been anxious to participate in
Jazzercise classes, offered every other Thursday, since her school first
began offering them right about the same time she became ill. Mallory said
she loves to dance, and she's really looking forward to participating in
the classes, although it still may be a while after she returns to school
before she'll be able to.
Mallory's new best
friend, Fiona, was a gift from her grandparents to help her through
her hard times. Photo courtesy of Wheeler family
One of the prints of
note cards that are being sold to help Mallory's parents
financially. Photo courtesy of Wheeler family
Creating even more smiles for Mallory is her new companion, Fiona. Her
full name is Fiona Mallory's Blessing, and she's a playful, loving Shih
Tzu.
Robin explained Fiona's name represents the family's belief
that she is Mallory's "miracle dog." That's because she was born on the
exact same day that Mallory was diagnosed with ALL.
Mallory's
grandparents purchased Fiona in February, when Mallory was going through a
particularly tough time. She was in the hospital and had become so sick,
she had to be put on a feeding tube. Fiona was there to help her through
it, and they've been inseparable ever since.
Perhaps what gives
Mallory the biggest smile, however, is the support she's received from all
of her family, friends, teachers, community members and complete
strangers.
Robin explained that the people at Mallory's school have
not only been helpful in her academics, they've donated money to help with
Mallory's medical expenses, they've shown encouragement through cards and
gift baskets, they've lined the streets near her home to welcome Mallory
back from the hospital, and they've even promoted her fundraiser
events.
"Sharon Elementary has been exceptional," said Robin. "A
big thanks to (principal) Tim Courtney and all of the teachers and
parents. We've been so fortunate (to have their help)."
The
community has also stepped in to make a difference in Mallory's life. The
Wheelers' neighbors put on a block rummage sale and donated the profits to
the Support Mallory Fund, which was set up to help the family with her
significant medical expenses.
In addition, members of the community
continually show their support by attending local fundraising events,
making contributions to her fund and by purchasing items through her Web
site, www.supportmallory.com.
"This community has been so
supportive," said Robin. "Everyone has gone out of their way to support us
and help us. The support has just been unreal; this has just been an
incredible community."
Robin had to quit her job shortly after
Mallory was diagnosed with ALL so that she could take care of Mallory and
get her to all of her necessary doctor's appointments. She said her
employer has been so understanding, and has told her she's welcome to come
back whenever she's able to do so.
Mallory's father, "Stumpy,"
works at Brake Supply in Evansville. His employer has also been
supportive, said Robin, with his coworkers donating money to help with the
medical expenses, his company sending gift baskets and cards and an office
in Wisconsin even sent Mallory a box of goodies.
"They sent me a
big box of stuffed animals," said Mallory. "It was huge!"
And of
course, what would any support system be without family? Mallory's family
has helped make sure she has all the love, encouragement and support she
needs for a tough battle.
Dean Wilson, Mallory's grandmother, is a
watercolorist. She's designed five different note cards to sell, entitled
"Mallory's Faith," "Mallory's Happiness," "Mallory's Love," "Mallory's
Strength" and "Mallory's Hope." The cards are available for $2 each or a
pack of five for $10 on Mallory's Web site. The entire purchase price goes
to the Support Mallory Fund.
Mallory's aunt, Amy Bailey, found an
artist to create a special glass bead in purple and green (Mallory's
favorite colors). The bead is used to make bracelets and key chains that
are sold during Mallory's local fundraising events. All profits from the
sales go to the Support Mallory Fund.
"We've had so much support
from my sister and my parents and my in-laws, our family and friends and
our neighborhood," said Robin. "It just pours out with a huge amount of
love. How do you ever say thank you to all these people who have done so
much? It's just an incredible act of kindness."
