Ellie Kronlokken

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
Here is Ellie's Story - written by her mom, Barb. 
Ellie is a junior at Baylor University.  She is majoring in math, finance and accounting.  On Tuesday, Nov 17, 2020, while in class, Ellie noticed a sizable lump above her clavicle.  We encouraged her to be seen. She made an appointment at the Baylor clinic, and while there, she tested positive for strep.  However, because of the location and size of the lump, the doctor also scheduled an ultrasound.  The ultrasound showed several enlarged lymph nodes in her neck area and Ellie was referred to a wonderful ENT in Waco.  After evaluating her, he scheduled a CT scan for Tuesday, Nov 24. Her friend took her to the CT scan and that afternoon he called saying the results of the scan indicated that he needed to do surgery to remove and biopsy the lymphnodes.  He suspected Lymphoma. Paul and I flew to Waco that afternoon to be with her for the surgery which was scheduled for the next morning,  Ellie had surgery on Wednesday, Nov 25.  Due to Covid, only Paul was allowed to go in with her, but we were thankful for even that. I sat in the car in the parking lot and prayed.  We were told the results would take about a week.  Thanksgiving day, we packed up her things at her house in Waco, feasted on wagon wheel pasta,  and prepared to fly home.  On Friday, we flew home to Minneapolis to be together with our family.  
On Monday, November 30, The ENT called and told us the preliminary pathology report indicated Ellie had Hodgkins Lymphoma. We are so thankful for our dear friends  and family that work in the medical field who helped guide us.  Ellie was seen at the University of MN Pediatric Oncology and Mpls Childrens Oncology. She also had a PET scan, bloodwork and many other tests.  Today, we received the results of the PET scan, and it appears to be Stage 2A Hodgkins Lymphoma. She will have several other tests this week.  On Friday, she will have surgery to put in a port and  have a bone marrow biopsy.  Chemo will likely begin early next week.
This is a journey we never expected to have to endure. We are so appreciative of the prayer, meals, cards, texts and calls.  Ellie's faith, strength, and grace are truly inspiring.  She told me "Mom, I will be ok, I have Jesus."  She is filled with joy, even in these difficult times.  She has family and friends who truly love and support her.  
We have needed our faith in Jesus, the prayer of others lifting us and holding us, the Bible verses tucked in our hearts, and the promise that He will be with us.  
"So do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isa 41:10
Covid has provided a strange kind of blessing -  we can work remotely, her siblings (who don't live here) can be here and we are hoping she can continue school remotely for the spring semester. Thank you for being there for us!