CaLeigh’s Story

Site created on September 15, 2012

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We've created it to keep friends and family updated. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most. 

I recently added a background story so you will all know how CaLeigh's journey began. 

I'm sure I will never forget the events that lead to CaLeigh's diagnosis but I wanted to have it written somewhere just in case, here it goes:


CaLeigh was always a healthy strong girl, hardly ever sick. This past summer she seemed a bit tired and looked a little pale. Then we noticed little lumps on her neck and thought we should check it out.


Aug. 17  Went to see Dr.Pierret in Watertown and after drawing blood and checking her over, she was diagnosed with mono.


Aug. 21  Checked blood again in Wtn (I knew that Dr. Pierret wasn't quite convinced it was mono.)


Aug. 22  Got a call from Sanford Children to set up an app. with a specialist.


Aug. 24  Our first visit to the castle. After seeing Dr. Maher he also thought it was mono and said to do labs again in a couple weeks. We were so happy with this news, what a relief! I remember when we were leaving CaLeigh said, "I like that place, will I ever get to stay there?" Of course I said, "Oh no, you don't want to stay there, those kids are really sick." 
Seeing the kids without hair and hooked up to chemo broke my heart, praying that would never be CaLeigh.


Sept. 10  CaLeigh's first basketball game, she was tired but worked hard, and scored a few points:) Those of you that know me know my passion for watching my kids play sports. I was so proud of her and even more happy that she was excited about it. 


Sept. 11  Blood work in Wtn. and then went to do some shopping.


Sept. 12  Started out as any normal day but that quickly changed. I missed a call from Dr. Pierret and fear instantly set in. He called school around 1:00 and I went to the office to take the call. That was when he told me "I'm sorry Shauna, it's leukemia"  Hard to explain the feelings I had at that moment. You can probably imagine the panic and thoughts going through my mind.  My dad picked up CaLeigh at school and I met them at home. Jeanne drove CaLeigh and I to SF to meet Mike. That night we were admitted to the hospital.


Sept. 13 Surgery to insert her port and had first dose of chemo. 


 



Newest Update

September 11, 2019

Journal entry by CaLeigh Lane —

I wrote this 7 years ago:  "Wow, what all started with blood work and mono has now become any parents worst nightmare. On Wednesday, September 12, CaLeigh was diagnosed with leukemia. A day I will never forget. CaLeigh started treatment yesterday, did pretty well but stomach is very upset today. She is a strong girl, more than her mom. The leukemia she has is ALL, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is a cancer involving the blood forming cells that normally make a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte. The leukemia cells have crowded out the healthy cells in her bone marrow. ALL is the most common childhood cancer. Two words that should never be said together, childhood cancer."

At that moment you are not thinking of the future, you are thinking, just save my baby girl. The things CaLeigh had to go through are just not fair.  But... it has made her who she is, which is pretty damn awesome. She is one strong determined young lady.  I'm sure that anyone that knows her would agree.  CaL is starting her senior year at Henry and I couldn't be more proud. She is an amazing leader and role model for all.  When you see CaL please give her a hug or shout out because this "anniversary" is a huge reminder of all she has overcome.  CaLeigh Rae, YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE!    
Read More of the journal titled "September 11, 2019"
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