Princess Alexa

Welcome to Alexa's Website!



Alexa's story begins at the age of 6 on June 23, 2002 on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. While on vacation, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Just a little over 24 hours, 4 hospitals, 2 ambulance rides and 2 medic airplanes later we began treatment at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. After a 2 year ALL treatment protocol Alexa was given a clean bill of health and released. During that time, Alexa was chosen as the Children's Miracle Network Champion for Riley Children's Hospital in Indiana. One Champion was selected from each state. She told her story far & wide and her audiences included doctors, nurses, state and county organizations, all media-related events (television, radio), a group of 15,000 at the Georgia Dome on behalf of the American Cancer Society and the President of the United States himself...President George W. Bush. Sadly enough 4 months later, on January 17, 2005 at the age of 8 Alexa relapsed and the leukemia once again returned. We immediately began 3 blocks of intense chemotherapy followed by one week of full body radiation done 3 times a day. A Stem Cell/bone marrow transplant immediately followed on May 31, 2005 with our son, Alexa's brother, Connor as the "perfect match." Alexa made it through transplant without any Graft vs. Host disease and amazed the doctors. 7 months later (age 9), December 1, 2005 we found out the cancer has returned again. We have started reinduction chemotherapy treatments and have a few options if Alexa's body can stay strong. We have again experienced yet another relapse (May 2006) and her current treatment is not responding. Her hair has fallen out five times and she has endured too many to mention spinal taps and bone marrow aspirations. She is a gentle soul
--I think she is an angel.

A trust fund has been established through our church for those of you who would like to make a contribution to help defray the cost of the medical, prescription, procedures not covered by insurance, homecare costs and loss of wages mounting over the last 4 years from time off of work to be in the hospital and for homecare that are crucial to take care of Alexa.
Please make checks payable to:
The Alexa Shank Trust Fund and mail all checks to:
Tabernacle Christian Church
Attn: Alexa Shank Trust Fund
198 N. Water St., Franklin IN 46131
317-736-5088 Thank you & God Bless You


THE DONATIONS GENEROUSLY GIVEN HAVE AND WILL PAY FOR MEDICAL, PRESCRIPTION, LOSS OF WAGES FROM TIME-OFF FROM WORK TAKING CARE OF ALEXA--EVEN WITH INSURANCE THERE IS NO WAY TO COVER WHAT ALEXA HAS BEEN THROUGH--WE THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS AND FULLY INTEND TO PAY ALL BLESSINGS "FORWARD" IN A BIG WAY IN HONOR OF ALEXA AND CONNOR.

Journal

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 3:07 PM CDT

3 years have passed since my angel went to Heaven and this will be my last journal entry.

6 months before Alexa died my deceased uncle of 23 years, Uncle Chuck, (who was my favorite uncle) came to me. I was not asleep, however merely resting my eyes in Alexa's hospital room. During this "time" with him I was exhausted...I was "done" laying in the backseat of a car on my left side with my right hand up on the driver seat head rest. I was in a black or navy suit. I knew someone was driving me, someone was taking care of me. That someone turned around and it was Uncle Chuck and he lightly patted my right hand while he was driving. How elated I was! How happy I was! How peaceful & relieved I was...I cannot describe the peace...it is undescribeable! I knew Alexa was sleeping in the room with me, but I didn't want to leave Uncle Chuck and the peace I felt! I didn't want to go back to Chris or Connor I wanted to stay in that peace. No words were exchanged just a peaceful, loving understanding. As I was thinking how I didn't want to leave, I was pulled from the center of my stomach instantly and was looking down on the beautiful earth from space! It was magnificnet and majestic! Then I calmly opened my eyes.

Not a dream. I assure you. Looking back, the me being "done" and exhaused part was right after the funeral service in the back seat of the hurse going to the burial site in my dark suit. I knew what was going on the whole time. I hold this experience sacred and have shared it with only a handful of people. I share it with you now so that you have no doubt about Heaven and our magnificent GOD above and that you will see your loved ones again some day and that they are in complete peace and do not miss us on earth.

Peace & Pink Skies forever to you,
Dana Shank

Hospital Information:

Riley Childrens Hospital
702 Barnhill Dr.
Indianapolis, IN. 46202
317- 274-9512

Links:

E-mail Author: drmncolor@netdirect.net or jcs@netdirect.net

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