Help us make hospital stays a little more colorful
Our mission is to bring a touch of comfort and creativity to the lives of children facing health challenges. Through "Ella's Art Project," a non-profit inspired by Ella's journey, we provide art supplies for imaginative escapes and craft handmade graphic pillowcases. These pillowcases aim to improve the mood by replacing the standard white hospital ones, adding a personal and uplifting touch to the environment. Join us in making hospital stays a bit cozier and brighter, offering a sense of comfort and individuality during challenging times.
“Though she be but little, she is fierce”
-William Shakespeare
Ella’s Story
“Though she be but little, she is fierce” William Shakespeare, from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
And we were counting on it!
In April of 2016 Ella was itching. Normally itching isn’t big deal. We treated Ella with various creams, ointments, and anti-histamines, but then her itching only worsened. Testing ensued and her liver function enzymes were high. Soon after, an ultrasound of her biliary tract was done at the Children’s Hospital in Dayton. After meeting with her pediatrician Ella was sent directly to Dayton Children's where their cancer team met us for a CT scan of her abdomen. The next morning, Saturday, April 30, an MRI/MRCP was completed and it was determined Ella needed further work. A plethora of tests, labs, and studies were performed at Dayton Children’s. That same afternoon, due to the location and intricacy of Ella's mass, we were transferred to Cincinnati Children's.
A great team of doctors and nurses began caring for Ella upon our arrival. After much coordination with multiple teams of specialists, on May 3rd, Ella had an ERCP where they were able to get a few biopsies and place a stent to help her biliary system drain appropriately. The mass was not allowing that to happen making bile salts back up and caused her itching. The original biopsies were not adequate, so on Friday May 6th she had another ERCP but this time it was an ultrasound guided needle aspiration biopsy. On Saturday May 7th, 2016 we received official confirmation: our daughter has Rhabdomyosarcoma of the biliary tract. Although inoperable due to location, it is treatable. Her PET Scan showed no signs of metastasis or lymph node involvement. Our lives were forever changed. Ella’s plan included fourteen, 21-day cycles of chemotherapy with targeted radiation therapy consisting of 28 days. We were numb, profoundly sad and in complete disbelief but hopeful because we were told 8 out of 10 children with Ella’s staging will be completely cured.
Less than three months after the completion of her treatments, an abdominal MRI revealed a mass in Ella’s abdominal wall. A subsequent biopsy confirmed Rhabdomyosarcoma again. And just like that another 6 month battle with chemotherapy and radiation began.
Ella completed treatments on April 19, 2018, almost two years after her battle started. Thankfully healthy today.