Emily’s Fight Like a Girl Story, As Told by Rebecca (Leukemia)

This is merely the opening page of our story. It’s a family story. An extended family story. . . about a little girl.

I woke up this morning with the following text from my oldest sister, Gena (in it’s exact form) “CALL ME!!!”

I had received the text late the night before. My sisters, Gena’s, beloved family ”fur kid,” Bullet had not been doing well. I thought perhaps things had taken another down turn. However, it was only 6 am EST and they are living in CST. So, i decided to wait until 7 or so to call.

At about 5 after 7 I called. My brother-in-law Mark answered,  “Good morning Mark. It’s Becky. Gena sent me a text last night to call and I just saw it. Is she up yet?” “No,” he replied “Not yet, but I’ll have her call when she gets up.”  I was satisfied with this arrangement and went about my usual routine waking up my youngest, Hannah.

Here’s where you need to pay attention, but I feel it’s necessary to explain. I decided to check Facebook (FB).  Since before going to bed the night before, I had posted about Hannah scoring two goals in her school’s soccer game, where her team had to play short-handed and WON! I was certain someone had commented on her spectacular game savvy and skill!

Instead, I see a comment from my baby sister, Denise’s, oldest son Jacob’s best friend Chris. Saying something to the effect about being at the Wal-Mart where one of  two “wanted” guys were caught by the police. No biggie, until I read a couple status updates below it. I noticed that my oldest daughter, Abby, had commented how she felt her heart was being “ripped from her chest” that she had received some of the “worst news” she could ever receive. The final line was “I love you EAS”. Immediately, I knew those were initials,  and I knew who’s initials they were. My baby sister’s daughter, my niece Emily (11 y/o). My initial thought was, is it related to the arrest Chris mentioned? Was there an accident that someone ran from, and somehow Emily was involved and the arrested person was somehow involved? I know, it makes no sense, but the text, the updates all from people in the same time zone and city but different from mine.

I couldn’t wait for my oldest sister, Gena, to call. I needed answers NOW! So, I called again. Again, Mark answered. “Mark, it’s Becky. Is something going on at Denise’s? Is Emily okay? What’s happening?”  Mark replies, “Yes and no. Let me get your sister. You need to talk to her.”

Gena comes to the phone and begins to explain. Emily hadn’t been feeling too well the last few days. She had complained of feeling tired, a headache and a stomach ache off and on. Yesterday, she was running a fever. Denise took her to the doctor and they ran some tests and sent Denise and Emily home. A little while after they had gotten home the doctor called and said some things weren’t quite right and they wanted to run some more tests to take Emily up to the hospital. She did. Emily had Leukemia. They took her by ambulance to Children’s Hospital in Denver.

All I knew, at that moment, is that on the positive column the diagnosis was made early. The treatment process would be long.

I’m telling my beautiful niece Emily to “Fight like a girl and we’re all going to fight like a girl with you!” My whole family is close. We’re all grown with families of our own and STILL “all up in each other’s business.” At times feeling like everybody is in your “business” and “up in yo grill” is irritating. STILL, I don’t think any of us would have it any other way.

I came from a family of 5 girls and if there’s one thing we know it’s . . . how to FIGHT LIKE A GIRL! And that’s what we’re going to do. . . along side with each other. Along side our niece and my sister’s daughter, Emily.

I know it’s going to be a long treatment process. That’s okay. One of us, alone, may not be that tough but our combined number of 5 sisters, 5 hubbies, 18 nieces and nephews (including the ”bonus” son and daughter of mine), 2 sons-in-law, 1 daughter-in-law, our Mom and our children’s “Grammie” someone’s getting a “butt kickin,” and it won’t be Emily!

So this ”game,” this ”battle,” ain’t over. When the horn sounds or the bell rings signaling the game is over. . . the victor will be standing. That will be our Emily!

Rebecca M
Michigan
Submitted 4-19-2012

The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

This article is intended to convey general educational information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.